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Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

• Admissions Requirements
• Degree Program
• Degree Checklist
• Certificate Program
• Certificate Checklist

Early Childhood Professional

• Cerfiticate Program
• Certificate Checklist

Family Child Care Provider

• Certificate Program
• Certificate Checklist

ECE Special Education

• Certificate Program
• Certificate Checklist

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

• Certificate Program
• Certificate Checklist

General Information

• Programs of Study
• Course Descriptions
• Application for Admissions
• Transcript Request

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to create a positive learning environment for young children, one that is nurturing and fosters creativity. Teachers who work with young children in high quality programs understand how young children grow and learn, and how to provide materials and activities that are developmentally and interest-appropriate.

The ECE program is designed to prepare individuals as competent professionals. Graduates meet the New Hampshire Child Care Licensing (NHCCL) requirements for a lead teacher and center director (with some job-related experience). The campus offers flexibility in scheduling and course and career options.

The 18-credit Lead Teacher Certificate is designed for students interested in meeting the minimum licensure requirements to be a child care teacher as well as qualifying to be a family home child care provider. The 24- credit Special Education Option provides training for students interested in becoming a paraprofessional working with infants, toddlers and young children with unique learning challenges.

Early Childhood Education Technical Standards

Our college must ensure that students and children are not placed in jeopardy during their learning experiences. Students enrolled in the certificate or degree programs must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses of ever-changing circumstances and ability to respond quickly and appropriately when events require. Furthermore, students are expected to have the maturity to accept direction and guidance, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and maintain sensitive interpersonal relationships with teachers, fellow students, children and their families. Students are required to meet with their academic advisor before enrolling in the associate degree program. Students must complete a criminal background check before acceptance into any ECE program.

Health Considerations

Students considering careers in early childhood education should explore the health requirements set forth by the State of NH licensing bureau and be prepared to submit a Child Care Health Form before beginning practicum. Prospective students with special needs requiring accommodations that may affect their practicum placement or employment options are advised to discuss specific career objectives with the program coordinator during the admissions process. All students desiring to complete practicum courses are required to submit the Health Form provided by the NH Bureau of Childcare Licensing Rules. The health form must indicate the student is mentally and physically fit to work with young children.

Admissions Requirements

Students are required to meet with their academic advisor before enrolling in the associate degree program.

Students wishing to participate in practicum are required by the NHCCL to undergo a criminal backgrounds check ensuring they are free from criminal convictions. This involves finger-printing for a one-time nominal fee before participation in practicum and a small records check fee for each practicum experience. Applicants who are unsure of their status in this area should discuss the matter with their academic advisor, as it may impact their ability to participate in practicum, observation assignments, and to be employed in the field of childcare or early childhood education.

Technical Standards
Technical Standards have been established to provide insight for students into the skills and abilities required to function successfully in the ECE program and eventually the profession. Applicants who do not feel they can meet these standards should contact the ECE program coordinator before applying to the program.

Physical Standards

Students enrolling in the ECE program must have sufficient strength, stamina and motor coordination to perform the following:

• Stand for sustained periods of time, walking, running, bending, sitting on the floor and on child-size furniture to meet the child's needs and accomplish tasks.
• Frequent lifting, moving and transferring children, especially infants and toddlers.
• Sufficient visual and hearing acuity to ensure a safe environment and the ability to respond quickly in an emergency.
• Sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas as well as to interpret important instructions to children, co-workers and parents.
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately in unexpected situations, and to cope with extreme variations in workload and stress levels.

Early Childhood Education Transfer Credit Policy

In addition to MCC transfer credit policies, transfer of courses in early childhood education more than 10 years old will be evaluated by the Department Chair on an individual basis.

Early Childhood Education Degree Program

The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program provides a combination of theory and practical experience to prepare the graduate for immediate entry into the ECE field. Graduates have at least 300 hours of supervised experience with children of two different age levels (infant/toddler, preschool, primary grade), adhering to the standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Total Credits - 69

Early Childhood Education Certificate

The campus offers flexibility in scheduling and course and career options. The 12-credit Certificate is designed for students interested in meeting the minimum licensure requirements to be a child care teacher as well as qualifying them to be a family home child care provider.

Total Credits - 12

Early Childhood Professional Certificate

The 24-credit Early Childhood Professional Certificate is designed for students wishing to become more qualified teachers of young children without completing their degree requirements or who choose to complete their degree at a later time. It is also designed for individuals with bachelor degrees in unrelated fields who wish to become childcare director qualified (with work experience).

* Required for Center Director Credential in the State of New Hampshire. This course is not transferable to the Associate Degree Program in Early Childhood Education.

Family Child Care Provider Certificate (100% Online)

The Early Childhood Education Program offers a 12-credit on-line certificate program for Family Child Care Providers designed to meet the training requirements specified by the New Hampshire Childcare Regulations. All four courses are offered in a 100% on-line format to accommodate the unique scheduling needs of in-home child care providers. Two of the four courses can be applied directly to the Professional Certificate or Associate Degree program requirements if the student decides to pursue further education in the Early Childhood Program. Students must have reliable Internet access and basic computer skills in order to be successful in these courses.

Total Credits - 12

* The first three courses will transfer directly into the existing ECE professional certificate or Associate Degree Programs.

ECE Special Education Certificate

Teachers and paraprofessionals are increasingly working in inclusive settings and are responsible for meeting students' Individualized Educational Plans. They are members of the IEP or IFSP teams and need adequate training to effectively work with children with unique learning characteristics. A certificate option in Early Childhood Special Education is available to individuals interested in working as a paraprofessional in Early Intervention or Early Childhood Special Education and Inclusionary classrooms.

Birth-Grade 3 Option

Total Credits - 24

Early Childhood Lead Teacher Certificate

This certificate will enable students to qualify as a lead teacher in an early childhood program according to NH state child care program licensing rules. All courses in this certificate program transfer directly into the Associate’s Degree program for those students who wish to continue their education.

Total Credits - 18