Early Childhood Education

Overview

Pursue an educational and career pathway in one of the most important and rewarding careers in society.  The Early Childhood Education certificate program at WMCC is responding to the educational and programmatic needs of our city and towns youngest citizens.  There has never been a greater need for well-qualified early childhood professionals.

Program Requirements

Admitted students will receive an information packet with specific details regarding program requirements.  Requirements must be fulfilled by the end of the first week of classes.

1. Students will be working with children at the WMCC campus Child Development Center, beginning with first semester early childhood courses. Applicants are advised that the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing requires certain paperwork to be on file at centers for employees and others who regularly work in child care centers. Completion of paperwork from the Bureau of Child Care Licensing must occur by the end of the first week of classes. This includes the following:

• submission of a criminal background check;
• a complete set of fingerprints;
• completion of the licensing Child Care Personnel Health Form by a licensed health provider.

2. The cost of the Criminal background check and fingerprinting is the responsibility of the student. They must come back as clear or non-disqualifying and the health form must indicate that the student is in good physical health and has no mental or emotional disturbances that would prohibit him/her from caring for children. Otherwise the student will be dismissed from the program.

Program Considerations

WMCC has developed excellent practicum opportunities for our students to foster hands-on learning while simultaneously receiving credit. Nonetheless, the college’s first priority must be to ensure that children and families are safe, secure and receiving professional care and education. Students are required to abide by the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s’ Code of Ethical Conduct. The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct offers guidelines for responsible behavior and sets forth a common basis for resolving the principal ethical dilemmas encountered in early childhood care and education and in WMCC ECE classrooms.

Health Considerations

During their learning experiences, ECE students must not jeopardize the safety or health of children or their families. ECE students in internship, externship, practicums, service learning, and clinical experiences must demonstrate sufficient emotional stability to withstand the stresses, uncertainties, and changing circumstances that accompany these responsibilities. Furthermore, ECE students are expected to have the emotional stability to exercise sound judgment and to accept directions and guidance from supervisors or faculty members. They must also be capable of establishing a professional rapport and maintaining sensitive interpersonal relationships and confidentiality with employees, children, and their families. 

To participate in WMCC’s practicum, students must first submit to background checks and fingerprinting. Prospective students with special needs that may affect their practicum placement and/or potential employment prospects should discuss specific career goals with the department chair of program coordinator during the admissions process.

Character Expectations

The health and safety of young children are of paramount concern to the ECE program. Prior to employment, applicants for positions in childcare, preschools, and other early childhood programs in New Hampshire must undergo background checks through the New Hampshire Department of Safety. Fingerprinting and criminal records checks are also required. Applicants with a criminal record, depending on the nature of this record, may not be eligible for field experience or employment. Applicants should discuss such matters during an admission interview to avoid confusion.

ECE courses are offered day and evening, online, hybrid, and face to face in class.

Program Outcomes

The Early Childhood Education programs are designed to meet the Standards for
teacher preparation according to the National Association for the Education of
Young Children (NAEYC). Standards addressed in the Early Childhood Education
Certificate are:

• Standard 1: Promoting Child Development and Learning
• Standard 2: Building Family and Community Relationships
• Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and
  Families
• Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and
  Families
• Standard 5: Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
• Standard 6: Becoming a Professional

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be prepared to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to observe and document children’s behaviors in a positive and
   constructive style, noting each child’s strengths and interests as well as learning needs.
2. Demonstrate knowledge about creating and maintaining healthy and safe classrooms
   for children.
3. Demonstrate knowledge NH Childcare Licensing Standards, receive certification in First
   Aid and CPR and complete the NH Licensing requirements for criminal records check.
4. Demonstrate knowledge and awareness about early childhood programs, the teacher’s
   role and the stages of play.
5. Plan and implement developmentally appropriate activities.
6. Demonstrate key factors and methods of arranging learning environments for young
   children.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of inclusionary environments for early childhood programs.
8. Develop professional job behaviors.

The Community College System of New Hampshire partners with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services to offer tuition assistance to childcare providers who are currently employed in the field of Early Childhood Care and Education.

See https://www.ccsnh.edu/paying-for-college/tuition/ccsnh-early-childhood-grant-programs/

Technical standards provide guidance to students about the skills and abilities they need to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the ECE profession. Applicants who suspect they may be unable to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact program faculty members to discuss their concerns. ECE faculty considers all academically qualified candidates, provided that the technical standards can be met with reasonable accommodations. Students in the ECE program must have:

• Sufficient strength, stamina, and motor coordination.
• Sufficient hearing and visual acuity to ensure a safe environment, along with an ability to respond quickly to emergencies.
• Sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas, as well as to interpret important instructions to children, colleagues, and parents.
• Sufficient writing skills to record students’ daily progress and milestones, and to compose a variety of reports.
• An ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately to unexpected situations, and to cope with extreme variations in workload and stress.

Students must submit a health record (including immunizations), provide proof of liability insurance (available to matriculated students through WMCC), and be CPR and First Aid certified.