Early Childhood Education

Our Degree:

The AAS in Early Childhood Education prepares students for a Washington State Teaching Certification in general education for primary grades (preschool through grade 3). Students will learn from experienced educators who are committed to your success and offer invaluable insight and mentorship. Throughout the course of your degree you will gain practical experience through immersive field placements and student teaching experience. 

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Ensure you're fully prepared to acquire your WA Teaching Certificate by following these essential steps:

Washington State Stackable Certificates 

• 1. State Initial ECE Certificate

  12 Credits Total

  Students can earn this certificate as the starting point of their careers or to continue their professional development. The certificate focuses on competencies comparable to those of the Child Development Associate (CDA). This provides the foundation for the ECE State Certificate and associate degree. Courses include a 5-credit Introduction to Early Childhood Education; a 5-credit Health, Safety and Nutrition course, and a 2-credit practicum to apply learning.

• 2. State Short ECE Certificate of Specialization

  20 Credits Total

  This certificate builds on the Initial Certificate (for a total of 20 credits). At this point, professionals can choose one of five specializations: ECE general, infant-toddler care, school-age care, family child care, and ECE administration. For each specialization, students must take a 5-credit Child Development course, plus a course aligned with the specific specialization.

• 3. State ECE Certificate

  47 Credits Total

   This final “stackable certificate” requires college-level math and English as a foundation for the next step: an associate degree in ECE. In addition to these general education requirements, the courses that students must take include Language and Literacy Development; Observation and Assessment; Child, Family and Community; Guiding Behavior; Environments for Young Children; and Curriculum Development. With all three certificates, the total number of credits earned by the student is 47-52.

   

   

Program Learning Outcomes for the AAS in Early Childhood Education

Program learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills, and abilities that students will achieve before they graduate. The outcomes below were developed by the faculty in Early Childhood Education with input from accrediting bodies, advisory committees, employers, etc. This collaboration ensures that the outcomes are relevant for careers that this degree leads to.

Students who graduate with an AAS in Early Childhood Education will be able to:

1. Apply the principles of child development and learning for children from birth to age eight.
2. Articulate appropriate care for children in an educational setting.
3. Evaluate children's cognitive and developmental abilities to inform the adaptation of policies, procedures, and practices tailored to individual developmental needs.
4. Design developmentally appropriately curriculum and assessments for diverse learners.
5. Deliver culturally responsive instruction.
6. Evaluate early childhood education environments using evidence-based criteria to analyze effectiveness, health, nutrition, safety and inclusivity.

Early Childhood Educators will find their skills and talents necessary and relevant to several careers. From child care center assistants to operating your own family home child care, educators have many options in their future.

Our programs support the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) Early Childhood Education (ECE) Statewide Credentials and are aligned with the Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals, allowing you to work through a series of up to three stackable certificates. Earn a single certificate in as little as one full-time quarter or continue your education by taking the skills you’ve already learned to the next level. Learn more about careers for early learning professionals.

As you develop your ECE credentials through our program, you’ll find different career doors open to you. Some of the options available to ECE students and graduates include:

• ECEAP Assistant Teacher
• Family Home Child Care Operator
• Lead Teacher
• Child Care Center Director
• For an overview of career paths and their education requirements in Washington State, visit the ECE Career site.

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

Adjunct Instructors

Please note adjunct instructors do not have a direct line; if you need to reach them, please contact the Program Coordinator, Stephanie Cervantes, at 509-542-5600