Early Childhood Development, Certificate - ECD7
Students in Early Childhood Development receive a comprehensive understanding of the needs of young children and are trained to implement quality preschool programming. They will learn growth and development principles, teaching methods, understanding and working with special needs children, safety, first aid, CPR training, discipline techniques and methods for working effectively with parents. Students prepare for the job market by participating in developmentally-appropriate practices in language arts, creative experiences, math and science concepts. This program meets ECE TEACH Credential and Headstart CDA requirements.
Requirements
| Courses | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Course Information | ||
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 105 | Guidance-Classroom Management | 3 |
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts | 3 |
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts | 3 |
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience I | 3 |
| ENG 101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| or ENG 165 | Professional Communications | |
| Subtotal | 33 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Graduation Plan
Fall Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall Semester | Hours | |
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ENG 101 or ENG 165 |
English Composition I or Professional Communications |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts | 3 |
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECD 105 | Guidance-Classroom Management | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Spring Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spring Semester | Hours | |
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| ENG 101 or ENG 165 |
English Composition I or Professional Communications |
3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECD 105 | Guidance-Classroom Management | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Summer Semester | ||
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Summer Start
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Summer Semester | Hours | |
| ECD 101 | Introduction to Early Childhood | 3 |
| ENG 101 or ENG 165 |
English Composition I or Professional Communications |
3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fall Semester | ||
| ECD 105 | Guidance-Classroom Management | 3 |
| ECD 133 | Science and Math Concepts | 3 |
| ECD 243 | Supervised Field Experience I | 3 |
| Hours | 9 | |
| Spring Semester | ||
| ECD 102 | Growth and Development I | 3 |
| ECD 107 | Exceptional Child | 3 |
| ECD 131 | Language Arts | 3 |
| ECD 132 | Creative Experiences | 3 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Summer Semester | ||
| ECD 135 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 |
| ECD 203 | Growth and Development II | 3 |
| Hours | 6 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
Application and Advising
If you are ready to start your education, there are a few simple steps involved in enrolling at Piedmont Technical College.
Advising Information
The following information provides a guide for advisors who are helping students enroll in this program.
Program Notes
Students are encouraged to enter the ECD program as early as possible. Most courses require that students complete ENG 101 or ENG 165 as a prerequisite. ECD 101, ECD 109, ECD 132, and SAC 101 can be completed while students are taking ENG 101 or ENG 165.
A minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 is required for all ECD coursework. Student must complete all program required coursework with a “C” or higher.
A clear tuberculosis test at the student’s expense may be required for field placement experience sites.
Students should have a current acceptable background check and drug screen (see notes about individual classes below for more information).
Notes About Individual Classes
Some ECD coursework is offered online and at PTC county campuses. Methods courses are not offered online as these courses are predominantly offered at the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood. It is not possible for a student to complete either degree or certificate completely online or at a county campus. Students may be required to travel to the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood for some of the courses in the program.
For field placement experiences (ECD 243, ECD 244, ECD 251), students will be required to travel to the Lex Walters Campus-Greenwood or the Newberry campus monthly. Every effort will be made to place field experience students at childcare centers or schools near their home.
Students should have a current acceptable background check and drug screen. A criminal record and/or positive drug screen could make you ineligible for enrollment or participation in a supervised field experience, creating an inability to graduate from the program. These screenings will be completed in ECD 243, 244, and ECD 251.
Candidates are responsible for transportation to and from any class, practicum, lab or clinical site.
Students may only take ECD 243 two times and must receive a grade of “C” or higher on the second attempt for the course to count towards graduation.
Courses with a prefix of ECD or SAC must be less than 8 years old in order to count toward a certificate, diploma or degree program.
Candidates are required to complete a minimum of one summer session of coursework.
CPR and first aid certifications are required as part of ECD 135. There is an additional fee associated with these certifications
Program Student Learning Outcomes
Purpose Statement
The mission of the Early Care and Education Program of Piedmont Technical College is to provide the community with professional early educators who are knowledgeable, competent, committed and capable of providing quality professional care for all children. The program’s graduates are able to evaluate and assess children and make quality developmentally appropriate decisions for children’s learning. Through the extensive study of NAEYC standards and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct our students are provided the knowledge needed to support advocacy for children and the profession of early educators.
Student Learning Outcomes
aligned to NAEYC Program Standards:
Promoting Child Development and Learning
1a: Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs, from birth through age 8.
1b: Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on early development and learning
1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children
Building Family and Community Relationships
2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics
2b: Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships
2c: Involving families and communities in young children’s development and learning
Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
3a: Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment – including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children
3b: Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment and data collection.
3c: Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child, including the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities.
3d: Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and with professional colleagues to build effective learning environments
Using Developmentally Effective Approaches
4a: Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with young children
4b: Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology
4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching /learning approaches
4d: Reflecting on own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child
Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts – music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts; mathematics; science, physical activity, physical education, health and safety; and social studies.
5b: Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines
5c: Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child.
Becoming a Professional
6a: Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field
6b: Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other early childhood professional guidelines
6c: Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource.
6d: Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education
6e: Engaging in informed advocacy for young children and the early childhood profession
Early Childhood Field Experiences
7a. Opportunities to observe/practice in two early childhood age groups (birth-age 3, 3-5, 5-8)
7b. Opportunities to observe/practice in two main types of early education settings (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start programs)