Overview
Program Narrative:
The Early Childhood Certificate program qualifies you to be an Assistant Teacher or Assistant Group Supervisor (per PA DHS guidelines). Learning content and experiences enhance your ability to support all children and families through an understanding of child development, observation and assessment, teaching skills and strategies, content and curriculum development, and advocacy and professionalism.
o This certificate can also be used toward the Associate Degree upon completion of the general education requirements.
Program Outcomes:
• Promoting Child Development and Learning: Students use evidence based knowledge of child development and learning to understand that each child's learning and development is unique based on cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity as well as other interacting influences to create safe, healthy, respectful and inclusive learning environments that provide responsive, developmentally appropriate arts integrated learning opportunities.
• Building Family and Community Relationships: Students use evidence based knowledge to understand complex and diverse characteristics of families and communities using multiple perspectives to support each child's development and learning through collaborative relationships.
• Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families: Students use evidence based knowledge about systematic observation and the goals, benefits, and appropriate uses of assessment in partnership with families and other professionals to understand and make decisions about environments, curriculum, and interactions to support each child's development and learning.
• Using Developmentally Effective Approaches: Students use evidence based knowledge to understand and build positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with children and families. Students apply arts integrated and developmentally appropriate approaches and Universal Design for Learning to support each child's development and learning.
• Using Content to Build Meaningful Curriculum: Students use evidence based knowledge of subject areas, Universal Design for Learning, inquiry tools, and resources to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum and experiences to support each child's development and learning.
• Becoming a Professional: Students use evidence based knowledge of ethical guidelines and professional standards. They engage in continuous, collaborative learning and demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives to make informed decisions about advocating for sound practices and policies in early education.
Transfer Information:
• This Early Childhood Certificate program provides a pathway to the AAS in ECE. Students can use this certificate toward the Associate Degree upon completion of the general education requirements. With the AAS Degree complete, students may transfer to a four-year college or university to earn a baccalaureate degree. Transfer options and course guides are found in the links below. Students are strongly encouraged to select a transfer destination as soon as possible. Students should consult with their chosen transfer institution regarding recommended courses that will transfer and be applied to their baccalaureate degree program.
Career Information:
• NCC’s Certificate in ECE provides hands-on experiences and ongoing field-work, allowing students to get excited about their future from the start. This program can be completed entirely online.
• EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CAREER PATHWAYS
▪ Assistant Group Supervisor in Center-Based Childcare (per PA DHS Requirements)
▪ Licensed Group Childcare Provider
▪ Licensed Family Childcare Provider