The Education and Early Childhood Academy focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Early Childhood Industry:
- Child Growth and Development
- Child Abuse and Neglect
- Classroom Management
- Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices – Preschool
- Health, Safety, Nutrition and Environmental Issues
- Behavioral Observations and Screening
- Inclusion for Children with Disabilities
- Childcare Rules and Regulations
- Developing Curriculum
- Preschool Appropriate Practices
- Early Literacy
The Early Childhood Education Program is divided into four (4) levels:
Level 1: Students will learn the fundamentals of child development including understanding infants, toddlers, preschoolers, learning about the child care center, curriculum planning, and on the job skills.
Level 2: Students work to develop the skills necessary to work with young children in a preschool school setting. We develop these skills by planning and implementing activities with young children from ages 1-5. Introduction and testing of the 45 hours DCF (Department of Children & Families) competencies including Rules & Regulations, Health, Safety & Nutrition, Child Abuse & Neglect,.
Level 3: Students will again work with young children in a laboratory setting and continue to complete the 45 hour DCF competencies and exams that include Child Growth & Development, Behavior Observation & Screening, and Preschool Appropriate Practices. Students will start working on their teacher resource portfolio.
Level 4: Students will acquire competence in the areas of mentoring, developing the ability to motivate children and emphasis on professional development. Again, students will work with young children in a laboratory setting. Students will complete the online Early Literacy Module, their teaching resource portfolio, take the national certification test and be observed by a Child Development Associate (CDA) Specialist.