Early Childhood Education

Certificates

ECE State Certificate

Certificate of Proficiency

The Early Childhood Education Program provides knowledge of, and training in working with children of preschool age. This certificate provides intensive study of children, techniques for working with children, and specific subject area of Early Childhood Education. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 6 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Acquire, interpret, and use information and resources that support industry defined appropriate practice.
2. Work as a team member and demonstrate respect for diversity in an early childhood environment to accomplish family, child, and program goals.
3. Effectively communicate in various ways in the context of early childhood settings.
4. Participate in evaluation and maintenance of early childhood environments and programming on a regular basis.

ECE General

Certificate of Completion

The ECE general certificate exposes teacher assistants to key concepts in developmentally appropriate practices in Early Childhood Education and specifically addresses child guidance and growth and development of children ages 0-8. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 6 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Demonstrate understanding of child development by developing age and individually appropriate activities.
2. State the cause and effect of environment on children’s behavior.
3. Discuss the importance of addressing the “whole child.”
4. Observe and document children’s learning behavior in a classroom setting.
5. Assist in planning appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices in programs serving ages 0-8.
6. Understand the principles of ethical behavior in early childhood settings.

ECE Family Child Care

Certificate of Completion

Family Child Care Providers serve as business managers and children’s caregivers in home-based businesses. Most providers care for a mixed age range from infants to age 12 on a daily basis; others serve a limited age group. In managing the home-based business, the provider maintains all records, manages the budget and makes all purchases for the business. They also plan and carry out activities that meet the needs and interestsof the children in their care. Upon completion of this certificate, students will be placed on level 5 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career Lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Implement appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices in family programs serving ages 0-12.
2. Identify and support individual child growth and development.
3. Plan and provide multi-age curriculum through play and daily living experiences.
4. Demonstrate family support and relationship-building skills with families.
5. Administer and maintain a continuing business plan and record-keeping system necessary for family child care management.
6. Recognize and honor the culture and needs of families and children in all aspects of their family program.
7. Identify professional goals and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional and personal growth.

ECE Infant-Toddler Care

Certificate of Completion

The ECE Infant Toddler certificate provides infant-toddler specialist with the skills necessary to build relationships with the child and the child’s family members. This specialized certificate will give providers the skills necessary to work with young children from birth to age 3 in a variety of early care and education programs. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 5 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Implement appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices in programs serving ages 0-3.
2. Identify and meet individual child needs.
3. Plan and provide age appropriate curriculum through normal caregiving routines.
4. Demonstrate family support and relationship-building with families.
5. Foster and nurture attachment while respecting the significance of the family-child relationship.
6. Recognize and honor the culture and needs of families, children, and staff, in all aspects of a program for infants and toddlers.
7. Identify professional goals and demonstrate a commitment to ongoing professional development.

ECE Administration

Certificate of Completion

The ECE Program Administration certificate provides skills necessary to work with staff, families, and the community as well as provide leadership and supervision necessary to promote a quality early learning and care program in a variety of settings for children from birth through age 12. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 5 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Recognize appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices in programs serving ages 0-12.
2. Foster and mentor teachers to identify and meet individual child needs.
3. Supervise and implement age appropriate curriculum through childcare routines and activities.
4. Demonstrate family support and relationship-building skills with families.
5. Foster and nurture staff growth and professionalism through goal setting activities and performance evaluations.
6. Recognize and honor the culture and needs of families, children, and staff, in all aspects of an Early Childhood Program.
7. Create and maintain a professional team environment.
8. Maintain current knowledge of the field of Early Childhood Education.
9. Participate in community and professional networking.

ECE School-Age Care

Certificate of Completion

School-Age care professionals work with children ages 5-12 in a variety of settings including before and after school care available in family child care homes and profit or non-profit settings sponsored by community based organizations or agencies such as the YMCA and YWCA, public schools, community centers and faith-based programs. In all of these programs, it is the responsibility of the School-Age care professional to support the needs of individual children/youth and provide developmentally age appropriate and culturally relevant activities. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 5 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Implement appropriate health, safety and nutrition practices in programs serving children age 5-12.
2. Identify and meet individual child needs.
3. Plan and provide age appropriate curriculum for school age children.
4. Demonstrate family support and relationship-building with families.
5. Recognize and honor the culture and needs of families, children, and staff in all aspects of a program for school age children.

ECE Initial Certificate

Certificate of Recognition

The ECE initial certificate exposes teacher assistants to key concepts in developmentally appropriate practices in Early Childhood Education. Students receive knowledge on how children learn in 0-8 age groups and the focus will be on building nurturing relationships with children. Upon completion, students will be placed on level 5 of the Washington State Department of Early Learning Career lattice.

Program Outcomes

1. Describe current and historical theories and ongoing research in early childhood education.
2. Demonstrate understanding of child development by developing age appropriate activities and evaluating environments that are appropriate and nurturing for children ages 0-8.
3. Discuss the importance of addressing the whole child.
4. Observe and document children’s learning behavior in a classroom setting.
5. Assist in planning appropriate health, safety, and nutrition practices in programs serving children 0-8.
6. Understand the principles of ethical behavior in early childhood settings.
7. Demonstrate cultural competence and responsiveness with in and across cultures and provide an inclusive and respectful environment for all children.

*See course description for prerequisite.

Source: 2013-2014 Olympic College Catalog