About the Program
The field of early care and education is a dynamic and growing area of study for students who seek to work with young children up to age eight. Students who earn an AS degree in Early Childhood Education will play a pivotal role in the lives of children, families and their local community. All students who complete this degree will achieve competency in promoting child development and learning, building family and community relationships, implementing developmentally appropriate curricula while learning about child assessment systems, teaching in a diverse society, and becoming lifelong learners.
Career opportunities in the early childhood education and child development fields are many and varied. Programs for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-aged children and their parents continue to increase in number. Potential careers include: early childhood teacher/administrator, child care provider, playground program specialist, social worker, consultant, play therapist/activity specialist or teacher for hospitalized children, elementary school teacher, designer of children's products, legislative analyst/aide, and human services lobbyist. Opportunities are dependent upon the amount of education and experience acquired.
State of California Community Care Licensing requires that all teachers working with young children have a minimum of 12 semester units of coursework in Early Childhood Education. Six of the 12 units must include three units in Child Growth and Development (CDF 14) and three units in Child, Family and Community (CDF 12)
Program Requirements
For current program requirements -> 2024-2025
Program Goal: Career
GE Pattern(s): Butte Local
Program Code: 01349.00AS
Program Learning Outcome(s):
Upon successful completion of this program, the student will be able to:
Synthesize research-based theories including principles and practices of child development and learning.
Incorporate strategies for building respectful, reciprocal family and community relationships in order to engage society in the development and learning of children.
Exhibit the ability to use an assessment system encompassing a variety of strategies that provide information about program effectiveness and children's development, learning, interests, strengths and needs.
Apply principles of child development and positive guidance for planning inclusive, culturally relevant and appropriate curriculum and learning environments while integrating all developmental domains.
Identify and conduct themselves as Early Childhood professionals and commit to using the National Association for the Education of Young Children Code of Ethical Conduct and other professional standards while engaging in reflective practices as collaborative learners.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This is an examination of the process of socialization on the interrelationship of family, school, and community and emphasizing historical and socio-cultural factors. (C-ID CDEV 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course examines the major physical, cognitive, social and emotional developmental milestones for children, both typical and atypical, from conception through adolescence. There will be an emphasis on interactions between developmental processes and environmental factors including abuse and neglect. While studying developmental theory and investigative research methodologies, students will observe children, evaluate individual differences and analyze characteristics of development at various stages. (C-ID CDEV 100).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course covers issues related to children with varying abilities ages birth through eight. Exploring first the history of related legislation and referral process, teaching practices, philosophies of inclusion intervention methods, and then working respectfully with families. Observations in public or private child development centers or schools are required.
Prerequisite(s): CDF 14
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course focuses on the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children's development and learning. Students will use observation data to inform and plan supportive and developmentally appropriate learning environments and experiences. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools will be explored, along with strategies for collaborating with families and professionals. This course includes 25.5 hours of participation with young children in the Butte College Child Development Center or an approved early childhood Mentor classroom. (C-ID ECE 200).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an examination of the underlying theoretical principles of developmentally appropriate practices applied to programs and environments, emphasizing the key role of relationships, constructive adult-child interactions, and teaching strategies in supporting physical, social, creative and intellectual development for all children. Early Childhood Education career opportunities and preparation will be examined. This course includes a review of the historical roots of early childhood programs and the evolution of the professional practices promoting advocacy, ethics and professional identity. (C-ID ECE 120).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course explores prenatal, infant and toddler development, including physical, cognitive, language, social and emotional growth and development. Students will apply theory and practice to interpret behaviors and interactions between heredity and environmental factors while emphasizing the role of family and relationships in early childhood development.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course examines the development of social identities in diverse societies including theoretical and practical implications of oppression and privilege as they apply to young children, families, programs, classrooms and teaching. Various classroom strategies will be explored emphasizing culturally and linguistically appropriate anti-bias approaches supporting all children in becoming competent members of a diverse society. Course includes self-examination and reflection on issues related to social identity, stereotypes and bias, social and educational access, media and schooling. (C-ID ECE 230).
Prerequisite(s): CDF 14
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
42.50 hours Lecture
/ 25.50 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 68.00
This course presents an overview of knowledge and skills related to providing appropriate curriculum and environments for young children from birth to age eight years. Students will examine a teacher's role in supporting development and fostering the joy of learning for all young children using observation and assessment. An overview of learning domains includes: language, social, emotional, physical, cognitive and creative. The course will provide the student the opportunity to develop, prepare, implement and evaluate developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum for young children. This course includes 25.5 hours of lab in an approved (Butte College or Mentor) program. (C-ID ECE 130).
Prerequisite(s): CDF 40, CDF 63
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
/ 51.00 hours Lab
Total Course Hours: 85.00
This capstone course is a demonstration of developmentally appropriate early childhood teaching competencies under guided supervision. Students will utilize practical classroom experiences to make connections between theory and practice, develop professional behaviors and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Child centered, play-oriented approaches to teaching, learning and assessment and knowledge of curriculum content areas will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for all young children. This course includes fifty-one hours of participation with young children in the Butte College Child Development Center or an approved early childhood Mentor classroom. (C-ID ECE 210).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an introduction to the laws, regulations, standards, policies, and procedures and early childhood curriculum related to child health, safety and nutrition. The key components that ensure physical health, mental health and safety for both children and staff will be identified along with the importance of collaboration with families and health professionals. This course will focus on integrating the concepts into everyday planning and program development for all children. (C-ID ECE 220).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course covers curriculum and intervention strategies for working with children with special needs in partnership with their families. The use of observation and assessment in meeting the individualized needs of children in inclusive and natural environments is specifically addressed. Topics include the role of the teacher as a professional working with families, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, increasing cultural competence, and strategies to promote and support success in children within relationship-based childcare and educational settings.
Unit(s): 2.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
34.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 34.00
This course examines methods and principles of supervising student teachers, staff, and other adults in early care and education settings. Emphasis is on the roles and development of early childhood professionals as mentors and leaders.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides the opportunity for students to explore issues of cultural diversity, examine curricular approaches to anti-bias education, and integrate these elements into the development of comprehensive children's programs. This course also provides the opportunity to explore factors leading to culturally responsive child care and education.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course applies current theory and research to the care and education of infants and toddlers in group settings. The essential policies, principles, and effective practices that lead to quality care and developmentally appropriate curriculum for children birth to 36 months are also examined.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course is an introduction to the administration of early childhood programs, including program types, budget, management, regulations, laws, development and implementation of policies and procedures. The course will examine administrative tools, philosophies, and techniques needed to organize, open, and operate an early care and education program. This course partially meets the administrative units required by the State of California to meet licensing requirements and administrative units for the Child Development Permit.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course provides effective strategies for personnel management and leadership in early care and education settings. Topics include legal and ethical responsibilities, supervision techniques, professional development, and reflective practices for a diverse and inclusive early care and education program. This course partially meets the administrative units required by the State of California to meet licensing requirements and administrative units for the Child Development Permit.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course applies child development research to inform best parenting practices. Students will learn about social and cultural trends of parental practices including the usage of community resources. Topics covered include parenting styles, education, physical/social-emotional and sexual abuse, substance abuse, youth culture, media impact and parenting a special needs child.
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 51.00
This course examines the roles and responsibilities of professionals collaborating with families. An emphasis is placed on current trends and issues with families parenting children between the ages of 0 to 13 years of age. Topics include family growth and development, family structures, challenges confronting the contemporary family, and strategies to strengthen families.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of Cooperative Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 1.00
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Career Work Experience (CWE) is a course that gives students the opportunity to earn both a grade and units for what they learn on the job related to their vocational major while gaining practical work experience. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every sixty hours of unpaid work experience (60-480 hours unpaid) or seventy-five hours of paid work experience (75-600 hours paid). Students may earn a maximum of sixteen units for all types of Work Experience.
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Contacts
Susan Craig, Chair
(530) 879-4338
Department Office: AHPS 215
(530) 895-2542
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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