Early Childhood Education A.A.S. (ECE)
Attention
This is an overview of the program. The course sequencing is meant to serve as a guideline for your semester planning. Please note that the scheduling of courses, program sequencing and curriculum are subject to change.
The Early Childhood Education A.A.S. (ECE) at Lehigh Carbon Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young 
Children, www.naeyc.org. The accreditation term runs from May 2018 through March 2023.
Funding for Students and Educators in Early Childhood Education
Students studying early childhood education at Lehigh Carbon Community College and members of the community who would like to advance their career in the field have access to Professional Development Organization (PDO) funding this spring that will allow them to take courses at little or no cost. Potential funding is available for summer courses, as well.
Apply to PDO Program
This program prepares the graduate to work with children aged birth through nine. Students who complete the AAS in ECE are qualified as a group supervisor or head teacher in an early care and education program, including Head Start classrooms and childcare centers with children in infant/toddler, preschool or school-age care. With additional experience, graduates can be qualified to be center directors. Students who transfer to four-year colleges work towards Pre-K to fourth grade teacher certification for employment in early childhood or elementary school settings. Students seeking to transfer and interested in seeking teaching certification must consult with an advisor or counselor to select electives very carefully in accordance with the general education and/or preprofessional requirements of the four-year college or university to which students intend to transfer are highly recommended to:
- Identify transfer institution early and carefully follow advisor, college catalog, college web page along with transfer agreement.
- Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Successfully take the PAPA exam in order to transfer.
- Maintain a credential portfolio which includes clearances such as child abuse, state police, FBI and health clearances.
- Document all observations and experiences.
- Engage in Professional Community Engagement and Advocacy–TESA-Teacher Education Student Association (Kappa Delta Pi–Teacher Education Honor Society).
- Successfully complete six credits in math and immediately take PAPA exam.
Note: Elective courses numbered 101 or above—any credit course numbered 101. However, transfer students must refer to advisement #1 to ensure transfer of course and credits.
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
• summarize patterns of child growth and development in children ages 9 and under.
• utilize appropriate regulations and best practices to design and implement a quality early childhood environment.
• connect theories of learning and developmentally appropriate practice to create and implement quality curriculum units for early childhood classrooms.
• formulate a plan for supporting collaborative family relationships.
• summarize the role of advocacy for the early childhood profession.
• demonstrate proper supervision of children in early education classrooms.
-
Special Admission Program Requirements
Additional admission information and requirements are as follows:
Note: Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission into the programs. 22-08-08
• High school diploma or GED and successful completion of appropriate high school or post-secondary courses. Submission of official transcripts of all previous education.
• Acceptable scores on LCCC skills assessment.
• To participate in the required observation/fieldwork experiences, the student is responsible for collecting and submitting the following clearances: PA Child Abuse History Clearance, PA State Police Criminal Record Check, FBI clearance- fingerprinting, NSOR verification, physical examination (with appropriate form completion) and TB screening test. A “record” status or failure to meet state or
facility standards will prevent the student from completion of required fieldwork experiences.
• Special program costs include clearances, health examinations and testing, books, supplies and transportation to Teacher Education agencies.
Teacher Education Advisement guidelines for students seeking a teaching career and/or program of study for transfer into a four-year college program. Students can select and tailor their program based on career goals.
Students intending to transfer need to choose courses based on the college transfer agreement.