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Early Childhood Education
Family Child Care Provider
ECE Special Education
Lead Teacher
Inftant / Toddler Lead Teacher
General Information
Early Childhood Education
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.
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.
Admission 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. 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.
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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 or transfer to a bachelor degree program for those who wish to teach in the public schools. . 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.
General Education Requirements | TH | LAB | CR |
| ENGL110 |
College Composition I |
4 |
0 |
4 |
| EDU205 |
Technology in Education |
2 |
2 |
3 |
| MATH131 |
College Algebra I |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| INT101 |
College Success Seminar |
1 |
0 |
1 |
| PSYC110 |
Introduction to Psychology |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| PHIL240 |
Ethics |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
English Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Science Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| |
Foreign Language/Humanities/Fine Arts Elective |
3 |
0 |
3 |
ECE Core Requirements |
TH |
LAB |
CR |
| ECE100 |
Early Childhood Growth and Development |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE102 |
Practicum I: Observation and Recording |
1 |
3 |
2 |
| ECE104 |
Foundations of Early Childhood Education |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE105 | Art, Music, Drama, Movement in Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE110 |
Children’s Literature and Language Arts |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE111 | Infant / Toddler Practicum: Nurturing Environments | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| OR |
| ECE112 |
Practicum II: Learning Environments |
2 |
3 |
3 |
| ECE116 |
Child Health, Safety and Nutrition |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE200 |
Math and Science in Early Childhood Education |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE201 | Children's Individual and Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE202 |
Practicum III: Student Teaching |
1 |
9 |
4 |
| ECE210 |
Child, Family and Community Relations |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE212 |
Practicum IV: Professional Development |
1 |
9 |
4 |
| ECE214 |
Appropriate Guidance and Discipline for Young Children |
3 |
0 |
3 |
ECE Elective Courses |
| (MINIMUM 3 CREDITS) - Choose one course |
| ECE204 |
Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers |
3 |
0 |
3 |
| ECE205 |
Developmentally Appropriate Programs for School Age Children |
3 |
0 |
3 |
Total Credits - 69
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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).
| Core Courses | TH | LAB | CR |
| ECE100 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE112 | Practicum II: Learning Environments | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE116 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Electives |
| ECE110 | Children's Literature and Language Arts | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE200 | Math and Science Development in ECE | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE201 | Children's Individual and Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE204 | Development Appropriate Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| | OR |
| ECE205 | Development Appropriate Programs for School-Age Children | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE210 | Child, Family and Community Relations | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE214 | Appropriate Discipline and Guidance for Young Children | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE216 | Art, Music, Drama and Dance in ECE | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE250* | Childcare Administration and Management | 3 | 0 | 3 |
* 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.
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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.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| ECE100* | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE116* | Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE106* | Curriculum & Environment for Family Child Care | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE250* | Childcare Administration & Management | 3 | 0 | 3 |
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
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| ECE100 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSYC110 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE112 | Practicum II: Learning Environments | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECE201 | Children’s Individual and Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU215 | Behavioral Challenges in the Classroom | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU220 | Families and Professionals in Special Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU225 | Curriculum Planning and Implementation for Children with Unique Learning Characteristics | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Total Credits - 24
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.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| ECE100 | Early Childhood Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE112 | Practicum II: Learning Environments | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECE116 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE201 | Children’s Individual & Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE Elective: ECE 105, 110, 200, 204, 205, 210 or 214 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Total Credits - 18
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Infant / Toddler Lead Teacher Certificate
Quality infant/toddler care is a critical need in New Hampshire, and more caregivers are needed to be specifically trained in developmentally appropriate practices for this age group. As evidence of its importance, for the past several years the state has offered 100% funding for the infant/toddler curriculum course to encourage more caregivers to improve their skills. This certificate meets the licensing requirements of the State of NH for lead teachers (18 credits). All courses in this certificate program will transfer to the Associate’s degree program.
| | TH | LAB | CR |
| ECE100 | Early Childhood Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE111 | Infant / Toddler Practicum II: Nurturing Environments | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| ECE116 | Child Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE201 | Children’s Individual & Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE204 | DAP Infant / Toddler Curriculum | 3 | 0 | 3 |
Total Credits - 18
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