Prepare for a rewarding career working with children in education and developmental settings with the Early Childhood Care diploma from Bryant & Stratton College. The diploma program provides the first step towards a future as an educator with key courses designed to lay the foundation for guiding and evaluating children’s education.
Students in the Early Childhood Care diploma program are prepared to work with children from infancy through middle-childhood in learning environments such as childcare centers – both home and center-based – child development programs, intervention programs, recreation programs and more. The program Is aligned to NAEYC standards and the CDA credential.
The courses in the Early Childhood Care diploma fulfill the 120-hour educational requirement for the National Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential awarded through the Council for Professional Recognition. As the most widely recognized credential in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) field, students are encouraged to apply for the CDA upon completion.
The Council for Professional Recognition has specific requirements for the Child Development Associate credentialing process in addition to the formal education components included in these programs. A career in the field of Early Childhood Education may involve meeting certain licensing, training and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. Bryant & Stratton College recommends all applicants check with the licensing agency in their state for specific requirements *. The Bryant & Stratton College Early Childhood Education programs involve an early childhood practice experience which may be completed within a live childcare environment. All applicants to either Early Childhood program should be aware that employers may consider numerous factors when determining eligibility or suitability for employment including, but not limited to, criminal background screening, U.S. citizenship, state residency, physical and psychological health, age and military discharge information. A criminal conviction and/or record of certain other conduct may prevent or hinder a student’s completion of their required practice experience or a graduate’s employment in the field of Early Childhood Education. The enrolling applicant has been apprised of these matters and enrolls in this program with full understanding of the same.
* Virginia residents should refer to licensure regulations for school personnel at the following government site: https://law.lis.virginia.gov/admincode/title8/agency20/chapter22/.
Teacher candidates will find additional information at the Virginia Department of Education at the following address:
Virginia Department of Education
James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th Street
Richmond, VA 23219
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/
Outcomes
The Early Childhood Care diploma program provides students with the ability to:
- Implement developmentally-appropriate daily activities designed to foster the social, emotional, physical, intellectual and creative growth of every child.
- Integrate health, safety and nutrition practices according to local, state and national standards.
- Create respectful, reciprocal relationships with children's families and communities to foster involvement and support children's development and learning.
- Learn in a program aligned to NAEYC standards and the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
- Upon graduation, students are encouraged to apply for the CDA credential
Early Childhood Education Academic Program Disclosures