ece.chemeketa.edu

Early Childhood Education is a comprehensive program of both theory and practical experiences designed to prepare individuals to work with young children. Graduates may qualify to be childcare teachers, assistants, and aids in preschools, day care centers, kindergartens, Head Start programs, and therapeutic relief nurseries. Many of the courses may be helpful to parents of young children and to persons working with families.

Students may select individual courses to meet their needs, or work toward an associate of applied science degree or a one-year certificate of completion, or Career Pathway certificates in Infant/toddler or preschool specializations. Students in the program must earn grades of “C” or better in all Early Childhood Education (ECE) and Human Development and Family Studies (HDF) courses. In order to enroll in certain courses, students will be required to enroll in the Oregon Child Care Registry, which includes a background check. A valid first aid card is required for graduation in both the one-year and two-year programs.

The on-site laboratory school provides students with hands-on experiences working with children. This is where students apply theory from their course work into a classroom setting. Students work side by side with teaching staff and instructors in the lab and receive ongoing coaching about their work. While in the lab, students learn how to develop curriculum, design classroom environments, and assess the development of children. Throughout the program students set goals and reflect on their practice as they work towards developing into professional teachers.

Students who are interested in transferring to a university to earn a bachelor’s degree may elect to substitute ECE/HDF courses with general education courses listed below. Program faculty will provide advising to help students better understand their options.

Program Outcomes

Students completing the Early Childhood Education certificate should be able to:

• Apply principles and skills in observing childrenbirth to age eight-to select guidance techniques to promote autonomy.
• Plan and implement nutrition plans.
• Practice appropriate communications skills-both written and verbal-with supervisors, colleagues, and parents.
• Plan and implement activities to work with children of diverse ages, backgrounds, and abilities based on developmentally appropriate theories and observations.

Students completing the Infant/Toddler certificate should be able to:

• Understand the developmental stages of children, prenatal to three years.
• Plan and implement appropriate curriculum.
• Demonstrate strategies that encourage healthy social and emotional attachment.
• Be prepared to assess and, if needed, refer children for early intervention screening.
• Use appropriate communication skills with parents of young children.

Students completing the Preschool certificate should be able to:

• Understand the developmental stages of children aged two-and-a-half to six years.
• Plan and implement appropriate curriculum.
• Demonstrate strategies that encourage healthy social and emotional attachment.
• Understand assessment methods and use of appropriate referral agencies in the community.
• Use appropriate communication skills with parents of young children.

Students completing the Early Childhood Education degree should be able to:

• Plan and implement curriculum in early childhood education settings that support the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development of all young children from birth to age eight, based on knowledge of children’s development.
• Use communication strategies to establish positive, collaborative relationships with families and colleagues.
• Self-assess and evaluate professional practices based on a theoretical framework of child development.
• Practice standards for professional ethics as applied to the early childhood workplace environment.

If you have questions about the program requirements, email the Early Childhood Education Program Chair, Pam Ditterick at pam.ditterick@chemeketa.edu or 503.399.6076.