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, childcare 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
Program Goal: CTE
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course provides an understanding of the processes of socialization focusing on the interrelationship of family, school, and community. Examines the influence of multiple societal contexts. Explores the role of collaboration between family, community, and schools in supporting children???s development, birth through adolescence. (C-ID CDEV 110).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU/UC
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course examines the progression of development in the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional domains and identifies developmental milestones for children from conception through adolescence. Emphasis on interactions between biological processes and environmental factors. Students will observe children, evaluate individual differences, and analyze characteristics of development at various stages according to developmental theories. (C-ID CDEV 100).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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 (or concurrent enrollment) or, CDF 56 (or concurrent enrollment)
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course introduces the appropriate use of assessment and observation tools and strategies to document young children's development and learning. The use of findings to inform and plan learning environments and experiences is emphasized. Recording strategies, rating systems, portfolios, and multiple assessment tools will be discussed, along with strategies for collaboration with families and professionals. (C-ID ECE 200).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is a study of the historical contexts and theoretical perspectives of developmentally appropriate practice in early care and education for children birth through age eight. Explores the typical roles and expectations of early childhood educators. Identifies professional ethics, career pathways, and professional standards. Introduces best practices for developmentally appropriate learning environments, curriculum, and effective pedagogy for young children including how play contributes to children's learning, growth, and development. (C-ID ECE 120).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course presents an examination of the historical and current perspectives on diversity and inclusion and the impact of systemic societal influences on children???s development, learning, and school experiences. Strategies for developmentally-, culturally-, and linguistically-appropriate anti-bias curricula will be explored, as well as approaches to promote inclusive and anti-racist classroom communities. This course places emphasis on self-reflection of the influence of teachers??? own cultures and life experiences on teaching and interactions with children and families. (C-ID ECE 230).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course provides an exploration of developmentally appropriate curricula and environments for children from birth through age eight. Students will use knowledge of children???s development, theories of learning and development, and examples from various models of developmentally appropriate practice to plan environments and curricula in all content areas to support children???s development and learning in indoor and outdoor settings. (C-ID ECE 130).
Prerequisite(s): 12 units from, CDF 12, CDF 14, CDF 18, CDF 40, CDF 48, CDF 56, CDF 57, CDF 80
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
17.00 hours Lecture
/ 102.00 hours Lab
Out of Class Hours: 34.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course provides hands-on experience with developmentally appropriate early childhood program planning and teaching competencies under the supervision of ECE/CD faculty and other qualified early education professionals. Students will use practical classroom experiences to connect theory and practice, develop professional behaviors, and build a comprehensive understanding of children and families. Reflective practice will be emphasized as student teachers design, implement, and evaluate approaches, strategies, and techniques that promote development and learning. The course includes exploration of career pathways, professional development, and teacher responsibilities. (C-ID ECE 210).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
This course is a study of laws, regulations, standards, policies, procedures, and best practices related to health, safety, and nutrition in care and education settings for children from birth through middle childhood. It includes the teacher???s role in prevention strategies, nutrition and meal planning, integration of health, safety and nutrition experiences into daily routines, and overall risk management. (C-ID ECE 220).
Unit(s): 3.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
51.00 hours Lecture
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 68.00
Total Course Hours: 102.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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
Out of Class Hours: 102.00
Total Course Hours: 153.00
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 Work Experience Education instructor and employment supervisor
Unit(s): 0.50
- 8.00
Transfer Status: CSU
Contact Hours:
0.00 hours Lecture
Total Course Hours: 0.00
Work experience is an experiential course where students apply what they have learned in the classroom to a work environment. The course offers students the opportunity to develop technical skills, explore possible career choices, build confidence, network with people in the field, and transition into the world of work. Work experience may include paid or unpaid employment. Students may earn one semester unit of college credit in this course for every fifty-one hours of work experience. Students may enroll in this course up to 8 unit(s) to complete the entire curriculum of the course. A maximum of sixteen units can be earned in work experience courses during a student???s enrollment with Butte College.
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Contacts
Lisa Gunn, Chair
(530) 895-2423
Department Office: AHPS 251
(530) 895-2542
Counseling and Advising:
(530) 895-2378
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