EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AS A CAREER
Program Information: Mike Kelly, (360) 538-4013
mike.kelly@ghc.edu
For more information about our graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important
information, please view the Early Childhood Education Gainful Employment Disclosure
Updated 1/2/15
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AS A CAREER
Program Description
This online program gives students an opportunity to gain to work appropriately with children
from birth to age eight in a variety of school and community settings. Historical and theoretical
knowledge, combined with practical experience, offer students a realistic view of early learners
and their families. A strong emphasis in developmentally appropriate practice is incorporated in
all aspects of the course content which will afford students the ability to create a healthy
environment and curriculum for young children. Gender, culture, and special needs are
integrated throughout the coursework so students can grow personally, identify their own values,
and become sensitive to all children and families.
The Certificate of Completion includes the Initial State Certificate, Core courses, Support and
General Education courses along with a Career Lattice Specialization of your choice.
The five Certificates of Achievement each have 20 credits and combine the Initial Certificate and
a Career Lattice Specialization.
State ECE Endorsement
Although not included in the Certificate of Completion, ECED& 100, Child Care Basics, meets
the STARS requirement for State of Washington ECE endorsement.
Salary Expectations
For job opportunities and salary expectations, please see: http://www.workforceexplorer.com/
For More Information
Mike Kelly .....................................................538-4013
Workforce Education .....................................538-4011
Admission and Records .................................538-4026
Financial Aid Office ......................................538-4081
Student Services .............................................538-4066
Student Support Center ..................................538-4099
What Do I Need To Do First?
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Apply for Admission (https://admissions.ctc.edu/applicant/welcome.cfm)
Request Official Transcripts from high school, previous colleges or GED certificate. Have them sent directly
to GHC.
Take the College Placement Test (CPT). Make an appointment at GHC Student Support Center (360-5384099 or toll-free 1-800-562-4830). The CPT is not required if 100 level English and math were completed at
another college.
Meet with the program advisor.
STATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
Certificate of Completion
This program is designed to be completed almost entirely online. Completion of the program meets the requirements of the
Early Childhood Education State Certification. All online courses are delivered using the Canvas Learning Management
System.
Students complete the Initial Certificate, the Core courses, Support and General education courses, plus select a Career
Lattice Specialization to obtain the credits required for the Certificate of Completion. Although not required to receive this
Certificate of Completion, ECED& 100, Child Care Basics, meets the STARS requirement for State of Washington ECE
endorsement.
Initial State Certificate (12 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Credits
5
5
2
Core Courses (17 credits)
EDUC& 150
ECED& 160
ECED& 170
or
EDUC& 130
ECED& 180
ECED& 190
Child, Family, Community
Curriculum Development
Environments for Young Children
Guiding Behavior
Language and Literacy Development
Observation and Assessment
3
5
3 or
3
3
3
Support and General Education Courses (10 credits)
ENGL& 101
MATH& 107
English Composition I
Math and Society*
5
5
Career Lattice Specializations (8 credits each – choose one)
State Short Certificate of Specialization – General
EDUC& 115
EDUC& 130
OR
Child Development
Guiding Behavior
5
3
State Short Certificate of Specialization – Infants and Toddlers
EDUC& 115
ECED& 132
OR
Child Development
Infants and Toddlers – Nurturing Care
5
3
State Short Certificate of Specialization – School-Age Care
EDUC& 115
EDUC& 136
OR
Child Development
School Age Care Management
5
3
State Short Certificate of Specialization – Family Child Care
EDUC& 115
ECED& 134
OR
Child Development
Family Child Care Management
5
3
State Short Certificate of Specialization – Administration
EDUC& 115
ECED& 139
Child Development
Administration of Early Learning Programs
Minimum Credits Required
5
3
47
*NOTE: Students may substitute MATH 100 or MATH 101, which are not offered online.
Grays Harbor College complies with all Federal and State rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Certificates of Achievement
State Initial Early Childhood Education Certificate (12 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Credits
5
5
2
State Short Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization – General (20 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
EDUC& 115
EDUC& 130
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Child Development
Guiding Behavior
5
5
2
5
3
State Short Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization – Infants and Toddlers
(20 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
EDUC& 115
ECED& 132
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Child Development
Infants and Toddler
5
5
2
5
3
State Short Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization – School-Age Care (20 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
EDUC& 115
EDUC& 136
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Child Development
School-Age Care Management
5
5
2
5
3
State Short Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization – Family Child Care (20 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
EDUC& 115
ECED& 134
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Child Development
Family Child Care Management
5
5
2
5
3
State Short Early Childhood Education Certificate of Specialization – Administration (20 credits)
ECED& 105
ECED& 107
ECED& 120
EDUC& 115
ECED& 139
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Child Development
Administration of Early Learning Programs
5
5
2
5
3
Grays Harbor College complies with all Federal and State rules and regulations and does not discriminate on the basis of
race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, or status as a veteran.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
ECED& 100
Child Care Basics
3 credits
ECED& 139
3 credits
Administration of Early Learning Programs
This course is designed to meet licensing requirements for early
learning lead teachers and family home child care providers,
STARS 30 hour basics course recognized in the MERIT system.
Topics: child growth/development, cultural competency,
community resources, guidance, health/safety/nutrition and
professional practice. 3 lecture hours. Vocational program
course. May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
Students will develop administrative skills required to develop,
open, operate, manage, and assess early childhood education and
care programs. Focus will be to explore techniques and
resources available for Washington State licensing and National
Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
standard compliance. 3 lecture hours. Vocational program
course. May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
ECED& 105
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECED& 160
Curriculum Development
5 credits
5 credits
Students will explore the foundations of early childhood
education, examine theories defining the field, issues and trends,
best practices, and program models. Observe children,
professionals, and programs in action. 5 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
Students will investigate learning theory, program planning, and
the tools for curriculum development promoting language,
find/gross motor, social-emotional, cognitive and creative skills
and growth in your children (birth-age8). 5 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
ECED& 107
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
ECED& 170
Environments for Young Children
5 credits
3 credits
Students will develop knowledge and skills to ensure good
health, nutrition, and safety of children in group care and
education programs. They will learn to recognize the signs of
abuse and neglect, responsibilities for mandated reporting, and
available community resources. 5 lecture hours. Vocational
program course. May be used as a general elective in the AA
degree.
Students will design, evaluate, and improve indoor and outdoor
environments to ensure quality learning, nurturing, experiences,
and to optimize the development of young children. 3 lecture
hours. Vocational program course. May be used as a general
elective in the AA degree.
ECED& 120
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
Students will develop teaching strategies for language
acquisition and literacy skill development at each developments
stage (birth – age 8) through the four interrelated areas of
speaking, listening, writing, and reading. 3 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
2 credits
In an early learning setting students will apply best practice for
engaging in nurturing relationships with children. The focus is
on keeping children healthy and safe while promoting growth
and development. 2 lecture hours. Vocational program course.
May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
ECED& 132
Infants and Toddlers – Nurturing Care
3 credits
Students will examine the unique developmental needs of
infants and toddlers. Focus will be to study the role of the
caregiver, relationships with families, developmentally
appropriate practices, nurturing environments for infants and
toddlers, and culturally relevant care. 3 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
ECED& 134
Family Child Care Management
3 credits
Students will learn the basics of home/family child care program
management. Topics include: Licensing requirements; business
management; relationship building; health, safety, & nutrition;
guiding behavior and; promoting growth & development. 3
lecture hours. Vocational program course. May be used as a
general elective in the AA degree.
ECED& 180
Language and Literacy Development
ECED& 190
Observation and Assessment
3 credits
3 credits
Students will collect and record observations of and assessment
data in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the
group, and the community. Students will practice reflection
techniques, summarize conclusions, and communicate findings.
3 lecture hours. Vocational program course. May be used as a
general elective in the AA degree.
EDUC& 115
Child Development
5 credits
Students will focus on how to build a functional understanding
of the foundation of child development, prenatal to early
adolescence. The will observe and document physical, social,
emotional, and cognitive development of children, reflective of
cross cultural and global perspectives. 5 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
EDUC& 130
Guiding Behavior
3 credits
Students will examine the principles and theories promoting
social competence in young children and creating safe learning
environments. Focus will be on how to develop skills
promoting effective interactions providing positive individual
guidance, and enhancing group experiences. 3 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
EDUC& 136
School Age Care Management
3 credits
Students will develop skills to provide developmentally
appropriate and culturally relevant activities and care,
specifically: preparing the environment, implementing
curriculum, building relationships, guiding academic/social skill
development, and community outreach. 3 lecture hours.
Vocational program course. May be used as a general elective
in the AA degree.
EDUC& 150
Child, Family, and Community
3 credits
Students working with children ages birth to eight years and
their families will learn how to integrate the family and
community contexts in which a child develops. The students
will learn how to explore cultures and demographics of families
in society, community resources, strategies for involving
families in the education of their child, and tools for effective
communication. 3 lecture hours. . Vocational program course.
May be used as a general elective in the AA degree.
ENGL& 101
5 credits
English Composition I
Prerequisite: Appropriate English placement test score
or a grade of “C-” or better in ENGL 095.
ENGL& 101 emphasizes the basic rhetorical principles and
development of expository and argumentative prose. Included is
an introduction to the research methods necessary for evidencebacked writing. Skills gained in this course should help students
improve their performance of such tasks as writing for a variety
of purposes and audiences, as well as writing informative and
persuasive essays and research-backed reports, projects and
papers. 5 lecture hours. Satisfies writing skills requirement for
the AA degree.
MATH& 107
5 credits
Math in Society
Prerequisites: A grade of “C-” or better in MATH 098 or
appropriate placement score or instructor permission.
MATH& 107 covers sets, counting, basic probability,
descriptive statistics, exponential growth and decay, and
financial models. Given time, sampling techniques and the
normal distribution are discussed. The material is presented at a
level accessible to students who have successfully completed a
course in intermediate algebra or the equivalent. MATH& 107 is
intended for students who wish to complete the quantitative
reasoning requirement of the AA degree. It is taught at
approximately the same level as college algebra and finite
mathematics, but the material is intended to be more practical
for the liberal arts student. MATH& 107 does not satisfy the
prerequisites for either MATH 112 or MATH 260. 5 lecture
hours. Satisfies the quantitative skills requirement for the AA
degree.
GRAYS HARBOR COLLEGE - TYPICAL STUDENT SCHEDULE
STATE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION
FALL QUARTER
Course #
Course Title
ECED& 105
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
ECED& 107
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
ECED& 132
Infants and Toddlers – Nurturing Care
EDUC& 130
Guiding Behavior
TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS
Credits
5
5
3
3
16
WINTER QUARTER
Course #
Course Title
ECED& 160
Curriculum Development
ECED& 180
Language and Literacy Development
EDUC& 115
Child Development
EDUC& 136
School Age Care Management
TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS
Credits
5
3
5
3
16
SPRING QUARTER
Course #
Course Title
ECED& 120
Practicum: Nurturing Relationships
ECED& 134
Family Child Care Management
ECED& 170
Environments for Young Children
ECED& 190
Observation and Assessment
ECED& 139
Child, Family, and Community
TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS
Credits
2
3
3
3
3
14
SUMMER QUARTER
Course #
Course Title
EDUC& 150
Child, Family, and Community
ENGL& 101
English Composition I
MATH& 107
Math in Society
TOTAL QUARTER CREDITS
Credits
3
5
5
13
NOTE: All of these courses are offered online. Students may substitute MATH 100 or MATH 101 for MATH& 107.
MATH 100 and MATH 101 are NOT online courses.
OVERVIEW OF EARLY CHILDHOOD COURSE OFFERINGS
Summer Quarters
Fall Quarters
Winter Quarters
Spring Quarters
ECED& 105, 107,
190
ECED& 105, 107,
120, 132, 134, 139,
170, 180
EDUC& 130, 136,
150
EDUC& 115, 130
ECED& 105, 107,
120, 139, 160, 170,
180
EDUC& 115, 130,
136, 150
ENGL& 101
ENGL& 101
ENGL& 101
MATH& 107
MATH& 107
MATH& 107 or
MATH 101
ECED& 105, 107,
120, 132, 134, 139,
160, 170, 180, 190
EDUC& 115, 130,
136, 150
ENGL& 101
MATH& 107 or
MATH 100 or
MATH 101