Early Childhood Care & Education Program

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Early Childhood Care and Education AAS Degree

Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma

Child Development Certificate

Early Childhood Program Administration Certificate

Early Childhood Exceptionalities Certificate

The purpose of the Early Childhood Care & Education program is to provide educational opportunities to individuals that will enable them to obtain the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in the field of Early Childhood Care & Education. The program emphasizes a combination of developmentally appropriate practices necessary for successful employment.

The goals of the Early Childhood Care and Education program are to:

• Provide education which acknowledges individual differences and respects the rights of individuals to seek fulfillment of educational needs.
  
• Provide education which develops the potential of each student to become a productive, responsible, and upwardly mobile member of the greater educational community.
  
• Provide an environment which encourages the individual to benefit and contribute as a partner in the economic progress, development, and stability of the surrounding communities.
  
• Provide quality education related to early childhood development and care in an atmosphere that fosters interest in and enthusiasm for learning.
  
• Prepares graduates to function as accountable and responsible members within their chosen profession.
  
• Prepare program graduates with the highest level of competence possible given the constraints of the interests and ability levels of the individual.
  
•  Foster employer participation, understanding, and confidence in the instructional process at OTC and confidence in the competence of the Early Childhood Care and Education program graduates.