Early Childhood Education (Prek-4th grade), Associate in Arts (ECED)

Effective: Fall 2025

The Early Childhood Education (Prek-4^th grade) program of study prepares students to work with young children in a variety of early care and education settings including early learning centers, Head Start, PreK Counts, public and private elementary schools.  Graduates will be able to provide high-quality educational environments with a focus on the play continuum and the value of play as an essential element of a child's development.  They will gain the necessary knowledge and skills to provide a developmentally effective, culturally responsive and inclusive early learning experience that is grounded in active and hands-on play, that is child-led, meaningful and relevant to the child's daily experience. 

At the completion of this degree, students are prepared to enter the early learning workforce in early learning centers, young school age childcare, Head Start, nursery schools and as paraprofessionals in public and private elementary schools. This program of study also serves as the transfer pathway to earn teacher certification, Pre-kindergarten through 4th grade. Students wishing to earn teacher certification must transfer to a 4 year institution to earn a Bachelor’s degree, Prekindergarten through 4th grade. 

Notes:

It is advised to meet with an academic advisor when choosing courses in this program to ensure appropriate sequencing as well as a transfer advisor in the first semester if considering transferring to a 4 year institution.  

All students must obtain and keep current background clearances including FBI,  Pa Criminal,  Pa Child Abuse and the National Sex Offender Registry.  There are additional fees to obtain these clearances. Clearances are valid for 3 years as long as the student is continuously enrolled.  Please note that the results of the background clearances may impact the student's ability to continue in the field of early childhood education.  

The Early Childhood Education (Prek-4^th grade) degree is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young children.  "The mission of the accreditation system is to set a standard of excellence for early childhood degree programs and to recognize programs that have demonstrated they meet this standard, thereby benefiting the early childhood profession, young children, families and communities."  (NAEYC, 2023)

All students will be required to have Pennsylvania Child Abuse Clearance, Pennsylvania Criminal Clearance, FBI clearance and documentation of current immunizations and TB screening. The results of the background clearances could have an impact on the student’s ability to continue in the degree. There are additional fees to obtaining clearances and students may have to get their clearances renewed.

• Promote child development and learning. (NAEYC Standard 1)
• Develop strategies for building family and community relationships. (NAEYC Standard 2)
• Observe, document and assess to support young children and families. (NAEYC Standard 3)
• Use developmentally effective approaches for teaching and learning. (NAEYC Standard 4)
• Use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum. (NAEYC Standard 5)
• Act as an early childhood education professional. (NAEYC Standard 6)

The College Transfer Office is set up to help Delaware County Community College students transfer to four-year colleges and universities. If you are planning to transfer, you are strongly encouraged to meet with a transfer advisor within your first two semesters (or before you reach 30 transferable college credits from all institutions attended).

Notes

Scientific Inquiry designated courses.

Any transferable Scientific Inquiry designated BIO, CHE, ESS or PHY course

Scientific Inquiry designated courses.

Any transferable Scientific Inquiry designated BIO, CHE, ESS or PHY course

DELAWARE COUNTY
Marple
Southeast Center

CHESTER COUNTY
Pennocks Bridge

ONLINE*
100% online

Early Childhood Education, AA  coursework is offered 100% online^*.

*

Some online courses have field requirements or in-person or proctored testing. Online courses with these requirements have additional information posted under the COURSE DESCRIPTION section when you are registering. Please note these requirements when registering.

The Early Childhood Education program at Delaware County Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, www.naeyc.org. The accreditation term runs from March, 2017 through March, 2024.

Student Outcomes:

Number of Program Completers¹

Program Completion Rate²

¹

Number(#) and Percentage(%) of program compeleters who were attending part-time or full-time, by Academic Year of completion.

²

Percentage (%) of students who completed within 3 years, 4 years, by the Academic Year in which a Fall cohort of full-time students enrolled at the institution.