Early Childhood Education

Practice your skills working with 2-3 year-olds and 3-4 year-olds in the Little Indians Early Childhood Program while you prepare for DCF certification tests.

Students divide their time between the classroom and the Little Indians Preschool Labs, where they gain at least 480 hours of hands-on experience working with two, three and four year olds. Class time includes: (a) preparation for tests required of child care workers, and documentation of the knowledge, experiences and skills required for Florida Child Care Center Staff-Credentialed employees; (b) preparation for the National CDA exam; and (c) documentation of the knowledge and skills required for the National CDA credential.

The Early Childhood Education program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for employment as early childhood educators, lead preschool teachers, child development specialists, and family day care home operators. If you are a person who likes caring  for and working with young children in a classroom setting, this program may be for you.

AREA OF FOCUS

• Preparation for the DCF coursework, literacy training and competency exams to obtain the ECPC.

PORTFOLIO AND COURSE PROJECTS

Hands on experiences are gained through assignments in the Little Indians Preschool Program. Included are the following major areas of training: rules and regulations governing child care; health, safety and nutrition; child abuse and neglect; child growth and development; behavior guidance techniques, and coursework in child development appropriate practices.

Students are required to create and maintain a Professional Resource File which supports the ECPC guidelines.

There are a variety of projects within the four Occupational Completion Points. Students will need to complete all of the projects in order to satisfy the curriculum requirements for this course.

PROGRAM EXPERIENCES

Hands on Learning
Within the completion of this program you will have more than 400 hours of hands-on learning with pre-school aged children. This includes:

One on One Learning
Teaching intellectual skills through one-on-one teacher-to-student interaction. Skill development activities are an essential part of our Early Childhood program.

Gross Motor Skill Development and Outdoor Playtime
Going on nature walks provides concrete experiences within a safe and familiar environment. Playing outdoors is a form of exercise that promotes well-being and wholesome physical development. Using movement and music throughout learning strengthens muscular development.

Free Center Choice and Imaginative Play
Free center choice during the day sparks creativity and imagination. As children play and pretend, they explore relationships between family members, friends and community members and learn more about how people interact. During free center time, the adult students are able to deepen practical skill in teaching young children. This is a vital time to promote all developmental skills by using art, blocks, dramatic play, sand, water, puzzles and developmentally appropriate manipulatives to aid in learning.

As children play pretend, they explore relationships between family members, friends and co-workers and learn more about how people interact.

Graduate with Career- Ready Skills!

ENTRY & EXIT REQUIREMENTS

• Specific Admissions Requirements:
  • Students must be 18 years of age
  • Have either a Standard High School Diploma or GED prior to admission
  • Criminal record background screening and fingerprinting
  • CPR for Adult, Child and Infant
  • First Aid Certification
     
• DOE Basic Skills Exit Requirements: Communications 9, Computation 9 (unless exempt)
   
• CASAS Exit Requirements: Communications 239+, Computation 225+ (unless exempt)

PREP FOR EMPLOYMENT

Full completers will receive the Early Childhood Education Professional Certificate (ECPC) and fulfill basic competencies towards the National Child Development Associate (CDA).

• Internships
  Students are expected to receive classroom instruction and laboratory training to develop/enhance individual knowledge and skills to effectively observe, monitor, teach and provide all Early Childhood services to the pre-school aged children under his/her supervision.
   
• Workforce Education Internship Program
  Students participate in work-based learning experiences in their field of study outside of the classroom. ITECH has a Workforce Internship Program for those students who need work experience, but do not have an out-of-school job.
   
• Job Placement
  Our competent counseling staff provides job postings on a daily basis, with help in resume writing and the interviewing process.

CERTIFICATE

iTECH Career Education Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete the program’s competencies and satisfy basic skill requirements in accordance with state guidelines. The ECPC Certificate is issued to students who meet DCF guidelines. The CDA Credential is issued to students who meet National Child Development Council requirements.