DESCRIPTION

Employment opportunities in New Hampshire in early childhood education and childcare remain excellent and will continue to grow.  Sixty-seven percent of children under the age of six in New Hampshire receive some form of childcare provided by persons other than their parents.  Many of these young children spend eight to eleven hours each day in childcare.  Because of a shortage of trained directors, teachers, and workers, many childcare programs strive but are unable to fully meet the developmental needs of children in their care.

The Early Childhood Education Associate in Science Degree program provides theoretical and practical experiences for preparation to work as an Early Childhood Education Director, responsible for the care and education of young children, management of personnel, finances, and facilities of an early childhood education program.  The certificate prepares graduates to become childcare teachers.

The Early Childhood Education program seeks students who have a strong desire to nurture and care.  To ensure that the Early Childhood Education Associate in Science applicant chooses the appropriate career, candidates are encouraged to meet with the program coordinator and the college counselor.

Successful completion of this program satisfies New Hampshire Childcare Bureau of Licensing requirements for certification as a childcare director or teacher. This program also provides an ideal preparation for those students wishing to continue their education on the baccalaureate level.

The New Hampshire Bureau of Childcare Standards and Licensing may restrict certification of candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal action.  Questions about certification restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Bureau of Childcare Standards and Licensing.

Technical Requirements

Early Childhood Education Program candidates must:

• have command of the English language;
• have the ability to stand for sustained periods of time, walking, running, bending, sitting on the floor and on child-size furniture to meet the child’s needs and accomplish tasks;
• have sufficient strength, stamina and motor coordination to perform frequent lifting, moving and transferring children, especially infants and toddlers;
• have sufficient visual and hearing acuity to ensure a safe environment and the ability to respond quickly in the event of an emergency;
• have sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas as well as to interpret important instructions to children, fellow students, and supervising teachers;
• have the ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately to unexpected situations, and to cope with extreme variations in workload and stress levels;
• have the ability to secure transportation to Practicum and field observation sites;
• uphold the ethical codes relevant to his or her discipline (National Association for the Education of Young Children);
• have the ability to demonstrate and maintain organizational skills, time management and professional respect and conduct as an early childhood education student, either at a practicum site, or in the community;

Upon completion of this program the successful student will be able to:

• communicate skillfully, both orally and in writing;
• demonstrate empathy with children and their families;
• perform accurate development assessments;
• devise imaginative developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION DEGREE

ASSOCIATE TEACHER CERTIFICATE

This certificate program satisfies New Hampshire Childcare Bureau of Licensing requirements for childcare worker certification.

Total Credits: 10

LEAD TEACHER CERTIFICATE

This certificate program satisfies New Hampshire Childcare Bureau of Licensing requirements for teacher and childcare worker certification.

Total Credits: 19

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION ADVANCED CERTIFICATE

This certificate provides a successful pathway to the Associate in Science Degree in Early Childhood.

Total Credits: 29

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