Careers With Young Children

Early Childhood Education Careers
Pat Carpenter, Instructor

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Early Childhood Education Careers

The Early Childhood Education Careers program is offered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors interested in working with children from birth to eight years of age. The program prepares students for gainful employment or entry into post secondary education. Students study concepts of child development and guiding behavior of children as well as studying management and administration of operating a child care facility.

Students are given the opportunity to job shadow in local child care centers, preschools, and elementary schools and Head Start centers.

Third term students operate a program called KID-SIT (Kids in Development - Students in Training). Families may bring their children (infants to school age) to this simulated developmentally appropriate child care environment. Mainstreaming young children is a collaborative effort between the Early Learning Program and KID-SIT. It provides students with knowledge and skills for working with special needs children.

Program Goal

The student will gain personal and technical skills and knowledge needed for entry level employment in child care related occupations or post secondary education or training.

Course Objectives

The student will...

apply manipulative skills necessary for an entry level child care position;
demonstrate the ability to utilize effective skills in communication and human relations;
utilize knowledge in managing personal resources, evaluating situations, and decision making;
utilize knowledge and skills for safe living and working conditions;
apply managerial and economic skills to occupational and child care service positions; and
explore vocational and post-secondary education options that will satisfy individual abilities, skills, and interests.

Course Description and Outline

The focus of this course is upon knowledge and skills necessary to prepare high school students to work with young children from birth to age eight. "Hands-on" experiences are provided in child care centers, elementary schools and local special programs for students mastering basic skills. Skills learned can be applied to studying related careers. Emphasis is upon applying knowledge of how children grow and develop, guiding the behavior of children, establishing a suitable child care environment, and planning and supervising activities which are appropriate for children. Skill development is achieved through laboratory experiences, supervised work experiences, classroom instruction, and on site training through KID-SIT programs. Co-op experiences are available to qualified advanced level twelfth-grade students who are able to secure employment in approved job sites. Leadership skills are gained through the integration of Family, Career, Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) activities into classes. Students who successfully complete this course may enter universities, community colleges, and other post-secondary training programs.
A Child Development course is recommended prior to beginning Early Childhood Education.
Pre-requisite for advanced class: Successful completions of Early Childhood Education Careers I, Grade Levels - 10, 11, 12

Advanced child care students gain firsthand knowledge of child care through off-campus field experiences. Qualifying, seniors can apply for the cooperative education program to gain experience and earn course credit.

Employment Opportunities

Business and Retail Toy Designer/Toy Stores Child Book Stores Child Clothing Stores Child Shoe Stores Photographer Dance Instructor	Child Care Babysitter Child Care Provider Child Care Director Recreational Leader Foster Parent Nanny
Education Teacher Assistant PreK-Grade 3 Teacher Teacher Family & Consumer Sciences Teacher Family Life Specialist Religious Education Teacher	Pediatric Medicine Child Life Specialist Child Therapist Child Specialist Nurse Physician Dental Hygienist Dentist
Social Work Probation Officer Case Worker Family Lawyer Family Counselor	Work Locations In-Home Child Care Child Care Centers Head Start Programs Pre-School/Nursery Schools Before and After School Programs Early Childhood Programs for Children with Special Needs Parent Cooperatives YMCA Hospital Sick Bays Schools Camps Law Offices Libraries Stores MORE!!

Certification/Articulation/Post-Secondary Training

Upon completion of the Early Childhood Education program students may qualify for:

TECTA Training - Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance

CDA Credential - Child Development Associate (a national credential)

Walters State Community College will offer college credit for qualifying students.

A certificate from the Center for Technology is awarded to each student earning 4 credits.

View Early Childhood Education Careers Brochure

For more information, contact Pat Carpenter at 423-639-0171