Early Education and Care

is a growing and ever changing field that includes the care and teaching of children from birth through age 7. The Early Education and Care program is a Chapter 74 approved comprehensive competency-based 3-year program in which students will experience a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience with children from ages 6 weeks old through 7 years of age. Students in our program will understand and be familiar with many aspects of child development from infancy through elementary school years. They will be well versed in health and safety topics pertaining to children and become knowledgeable about current events and developments in the early childhood field. Upon completion of the program, they will have a thorough understanding of early childhood math and science concepts, music, movement, art, creativity and understand the ways in which children learn. Students will have classroom experience where they will interact with children and facilitate learning under the guidance of experienced teachers and their classroom instructors.

Students will be prepared to apply for the Department of Early Education and Care Teacher License upon successfully completing this program. This will include a minimum of 450 supervised hours working directly with young children. The Early Learning Center provides education and care for children ages 2 years-9months old through 6 years old, offering students the opportunity to obtain a Preschool Teacher License. In addition, students visit off-site centers in the community, giving them the opportunity to obtain an Infant/Toddler Teacher License. Under the supervision of the High School Instructors, Early Learning Center Director, and Lead Teachers, students will become familiar with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Regulations for licensed programs. They will learn the importance of providing quality care and education to young children of various ages. In addition to learning about child development within their high school classroom, the students will gain hands-on experience in the state-of-the-art Early Learning Center as well as the highly recognized centers within the community, with professional role models to help them develop the skills necessary to be successful in the Early Education and Care field. Students will be guided through the process of planning and developing a curriculum for young children, creating activities, and implementing lesson plans with the children in the Early Learning Center and off-site centers. Students will also become familiar with a variety of childcare programs. Some of these programs may include licensed family childcare, center-based childcare programs, and public school programs. Students will be introduced to a variety of careers in childcare through field trips to various childcare facilities, off-site work, cooperative work experience, and guest speakers.

Course Objectives:

Using industry standards, students will learn the following competencies:

Knowledge of health and safety standards within the field
Describe, at a fundamental level, how young children learn, what is taught, and how teachers work with children and their families
Apply the guidance and discipline concepts applicable to young children’s behavior
Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for young children, fostering creativity, social-emotional development, language and literacy skills, self-help skills, and physical development
Demonstrate an understanding of the partnerships with families and others that teachers must create in order to achieve the best results for the children in their classroom
Use data to understand and guide development
Ability to examine and assess the effects the physical environment and materials have on children in an early childhood education program
Select goals, objectives, and types of observation needed in early childhood education
Determine the scope and need for quality early childhood education
Knowledge of the Massachusetts Department Of Early Education and Care regulations as well as the Massachusetts Guidelines for Early Learning Frameworks.

Certifications/Licenses:

BLS Adult/Infant and Child CPR w/AED
Heartsaver Adult/Pediatric First Aid
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Infant/Toddler and Preschool Teacher licensure preparation
Describe, at a fundamental level, how young children learn, what is taught, and how teachers work with children and their families
Apply the guidance and discipline concepts applicable to young children’s behavior
Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for young children, fostering creativity, social-emotional development, language and literacy skills, self-help skills, and physical development
Demonstrate an understanding of the partnerships with families and others that teachers must create in order to achieve the best results for the children in their classroom
Use data to understand and guide development
Ability to examine and assess the effects the physical environment and materials have on children in an early childhood education program
Select goals, objectives, and types of observation needed in early childhood education
Determine the scope and need for quality early childhood education
Knowledge of the Massachusetts Department Of Early Education and Care regulations as well as the Massachusetts Guidelines for Early Learning Frameworks.

Certifications/Licenses:

BLS Adult/Infant and Child CPR w/AED
Heartsaver Adult/Pediatric First Aid
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Infant/Toddler and Preschool Teacher licensure preparation

Looking toward the future:

The need for childcare workers continues to grow. This growth is because of increases in the number of children who require childcare and the continued demand for preschool programs. Students successfully completing the Early Education and Care program have the option of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both. The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care offers additional licenses in the field of early childhood.

Post-Secondary Options:

American International College
BayPath College Boston College
Boston University

Elms College
Holyoke Community College
Lesley University
Springfield College

Springfield Technical Community College
University of Massachusetts
Westfield State University
Wheelock College

Career Opportunities:

Entry Level Jobs – High School Diploma – On-the-Job Training

Assistant Teacher

Camp Counselor

Nanny/Au’pair

Skilled Jobs – License/Technical/Community College/Associates Degree or Certificate

Family Childcare Provider
Infant Teacher/Lead Teacher*
Out of School Time Educator

Paraprofessional
Parent Educator
Preschool Teacher/Lead Teacher*

Program Director*
Program Administrator
Toddler Teacher/Lead Teacher*

*Must be at least 21 years of age to obtain Lead Teacher and Director Certifications.

Professional Careers – BS/MS Degree/Graduate Studies/Additional Licenses

Child Life Specialist Early
Intervention Specialist
Family/Child Advocate

Pediatric Medicine
Physical Therapist
Public School Educator
Social Worker

Special Education Teacher
Speech and Language Pathologist
Occupational Therapist

Instructors