Do you have a passion for working with young children and want to make a difference in their lives? Our Early Childhood Education program will prepare you to work with kids from birth through age eight in diverse learning environments. You will combine theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.
Some of our completion pathways allow for transfer into a University of North Carolina System institution, so if this is the path for you, be sure to check out our transfer programs below.
The curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from infancy to three years of age in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories, competency-based knowledge, and practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.
Course work includes infant/toddler growth and development: physical/nutritional needs of infants and toddlers; safety issues in the care of infants and toddlers; care and guidance; communication skills with parents and children; design and implementation of appropriate curriculum; and other related topics.
Graduates should be prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate infant/toddler programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start Programs, and other infant/toddler programs.
Courses for this A.A.S. degree program are offered day, online, and/or hybrid. Courses for this program are offered in 8-week and/or 16-week terms.
First Year: Fall Semester (10 Semester Hours Credit)
This curriculum prepares individuals pursuing administrative roles in diverse child care settings to work effectively with children, families and teachers. The certificate is composed of learning opportunities in developmental theories, competency and evidence-based professional knowledge, administrative skills and leadership qualities.
Course work includes foundations in early childhood education, physical/nutritional needs of young children, safety issues in the care of young children; communication and leadership skills with teachers, families and children; programming and staffing, budgeting/financial management and marketing, and rules and regulations of early childhood programs.
Employment opportunities include entrepreneurship and/or management of child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, and other programs.
Courses for this A.A.S. degree program are offered day, online, and/or hybrid. Courses for this program are offered in 8-week and/or 16-week terms.
First Year: Fall Semester (10 Semester Hours Credit)
There are three options for earning North Carolina credentials through our program and completion depends upon your needs:
To meet the minimum North Carolina credential requirements to teach in a childcare center, you must take and pass EDU 119 (Early Childhood Education) with a grade of C or higher.
At the completion of the EDU 119 course, you will send in an application (provided to you by an ECH advisor) and your official transcript/final grade for the course. Raleigh will mail credentials in 10-12 weeks. Students must make a C or better in the course and have a high attendance rate in order to receive the NC State Credentials.
To meet the minimum North Carolina School-Age credential requirements, you must take and pass EDU 145 (Child Development I) and EDU 235 (School-Age Development) with a grade C or higher. EDU 144 is not a prerequisite for EDU 145.
To meet the minimum credential requirement to be a director of a childcare center, students must take and pass EDU 216 (Early Childhood Administration I) and EDU 262 (Early Childhood Administration II) with a grade of C or higher.
Note: EDU 119 is required as either a prerequisite or a corequisite for EDU 234, EDU 261, and EDU 262.
Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Education program, the graduate should be able to:
Plan developmentally appropriate activities for children ages 0-8.
Demonstrate appropriate guidance techniques for children.
Demonstrate leadership skills in teaching.
The Early Childhood Education program requires the performance of essential functions in order to provide safe and effective instruction to young children. To effectively educate students to work in the profession, the performance of these functions is incorporated throughout the program within lab and live settings. Students are required to demonstrate proficiency of these functions to progress through the program. The essential functions include:
Critical Thinking – critical thinking skills sufficient to identify complex problems; review related information; and to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions. For example, students should be able to develop classroom curriculum activities that address multiple factors in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Interpersonal Skills - interpersonal abilities sufficient to interact with faculty, other teachers, directors, children, and children’s families under physically and mentally demanding environmental conditions. For example, students should be able to communicate information about children’s progress to the appropriate parties.
Communication Skills – communication skills sufficient to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. For example, students should be able to provide verbal instruction to children in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Mobility – mobility sufficient to perform physical activities that require considerable use of arms and legs and moving the whole body, such as lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of equipment. For example, students should be able to ensure the safety of children in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Motor Skills – motor skills sufficient to quickly move the hands; hand together with the arm; and two hands to grasp, manipulate, and perform procedures in a specific manner. For example, students should be able to demonstrate and assist children with art projects.
Hearing: ability to hear sounds at a close range (within a few feet of the observer). For example, students should be able to hear and respond to an instructor or other students in a classroom.
Tactile: tactile ability to perform physical activities that require use of hands and arms. For example, students should possess the ability to write reports and perform group projects..
Cognitive: cognitive ability to use logic and reason, attention to detail, and short-term and long-term memory skills. For example, students should possess the ability to remember a concept covered in a class in a previous week of a semester and effectively apply the learned information.
Visual – visual skills sufficient to ensure the safety of the children. For example, students should be able to determine inappropriate behavior across the classroom and intervene as needed.
Weight-Bearing – weight-bearing skills sufficient to lift or carry 20-50 pounds. For example, students should be able to lift children onto a diaper changing table or into a stroller.
Listening – listening skills sufficient to give full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. For example, students should be able to interact with children and family on a frequent basis; listening skills must be mastered.
EXAMPLES ARE NOT ALL INCLUSIVE. Randolph Community College is an ADA compliant institution. The College does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admissions process or in access to its programs, services and/or activities for qualified individuals who meet essential eligibility requirements. The College will provide reasonable accommodations for documented disabilities of individuals who are eligible to receive or participate in college programs, services and/or activities. Student Services provides a disability counselor to assist students in requesting disability related accommodations. If a student believes that he/she cannot meet one or more of the essential functions without accommodations, the student is encouraged to disclose the disability to the disability counselor as soon as possible. Students must certify the ability to meet essential functions of the curriculum by a signed statement when they begin the program.
The Registrar’s office will send you an official acceptance letter once you are accepted.
Please contact the Registrar’s Office at 336-633-0223. Do not contact the Early Childhood Education Program as we do not know your application status or receive your information.
English Placement Testing will be required for all EDU courses, except EDU 119.
Student Services will send you a letter inviting you to registration.
RCC’s ECH program offers classes during the day and online. We have something that will fit everyone’s schedule.
The Early Childhood Education degree may be earned in two years as a full-time student or in three years as a part-time student. Degree students earn 69 or 70 hours of academic credit.
The Early Childhood Education Transfer with Licensure and Transfer with No Licensure degree tracks may be earned in two years as a full-time student or in three years as a part-time student. Students earn 71 hours of academic credit.
The diploma and certificate programs take less time but length to completion will depend on how many classes you take per semester.
Diploma may be obtained by taking 13 courses, earning a total of 38 semester hours of academic credit.
Certificates may be obtained in three areas - Early Childhood Education Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit), Infant/Toddler Care Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit), and Early Childhood Administration Certificate (16 semester hours of academic credit).
This is the decision of Early Childhood’s Department Head. You will need to schedule an appointment with the Department Head to evaluate your transcript. Credit is granted based on course description, equated credit hours, and present skill set.
It’s natural to be nervous if you haven't been to school lately, but know that we have a diversified class setting with instructors that are passionate in seeing that you succeed.
RCC’s Early Childhood program focuses on the education and development of young children, allowing students the opportunity to earn a B-K (birth-kindergarden) licensure.
Students who wish to teach K-6 should enroll in RCC’s Associate in Arts in Teacher Preparation program before transferring to a four-year school. You must have a bachelor’s degree and licensure to teach in public school.
Contact Us!
Have more questions about the Early Childhood Education Program? We're here to help.
Angela Cox Department Head, Early Childhood Education adcox@randolph.edu 336-633-0258
