Program Advisor: Patricia Kay, M.Ed.
The Early Childhood Education program at BCC offers several pathways for students to pursue their career goals. Two certificate programs plus two degree programs are available for students with varying needs. Certificates offer stackable credentials that may lead to degree opportunities. Syllabi outlined in the Associate in Arts program meet the Massachusetts Transfer Compact and provide a strong foundation for students continuing on to a bachelor’s degree while the Associate in Science program prepares students to immediately enter the work force.
The curriculum stresses the synthesis of theory and practice. Techniques of working with individual students, addressing group needs, and demonstrating respect for culture and community are emphasized. Program models from around the world and current research on neuroscience is examined while focusing on developmentally appropriate practice as defined by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Courses are aligned with the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care and NAEYC core competencies.
Essential Functions
Teaching combines education in child development and best and developmentally appropriate practices as well as the art of working with students. Teachers are integrally involved in the lives of their students and families. Teachers teach in all domains; cognitive, social, emotional, physical and aesthetic. Teachers foster equity in education so that families and students feel valued and respected.
Students in this program must be able to:
- Conduct observations to assess child development. Therefore, the student must demonstrate the ability to see children’s actions and hear children’s words;
- Communicate effectively, safely and efficiently by:
- Explaining procedures,
- Receiving information from others,
- Receiving information from written documents, and
- Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skills;
- Develop and carry out lesson plans in a classroom;
- Stand/move about a classroom and assist young children with tasks involving dressing, eating and manipulating materials;
- Facilitate the development of a child’s self-esteem, trust and respect through positive, constructive interactions in both group and individual settings;
- Use hands to grasp, operate and manipulate scissors, glue, etc., sit on floor or in small chairs, and stand for prolonged periods;
- Assist with child guidance;
- Help prepare and maintain classroom environment;
- Pay attention to the safety of children at all times;
- Anticipate and respond to the needs of children and staff;
- Interact in a manner appropriate to a child’s developmental level;
- Ensure that out-of-classroom pressures (personal, home, school) do not interfere with overall effective student- teaching performance; and
- Possess emotional openness to constructive feedback from supervising teacher; and
- Perform other essential functions, which may be site-specific.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of significant theories of child development and their practical implementation in child care settings;
- Develop practical skills in guiding and interacting with youth from studying various program models;
- Understand diverse family structures and use culturally competent practices to support and communicate with children and families;
- Ensure children’s safety, promote health practices and recognize and respond to abuse and neglect;
- Recognize characteristics of high-quality environments and developmentally appropriate curriculum; and
- Understand the goals, benefits and uses of observation and assessment in early childhood.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a degree in this program, a student must complete all program and general education credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
| ECE-101 | Early Childhood Growth & Development | 3 |
| ECE-104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-122 | Special Needs in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE-123 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE-124 | Early Childhood Education Seminar I | 1 |
| ECE-241 | Designing Curriculum: Creativity - a Child's Perspective. | 3 |
| ENG- | Literature | 3 |
| - | Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| MAT-113 | Introductory Topics in Math | 3 |
| ECE- | Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 28 |
ENG Literature: See footnote 1
Humanities or Fine Arts: See footnote 2
ECE Elective: See footnote 3
General Education Courses
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition/Writing | 6 |
| ENG- | Literature | 3 |
| HIS- | History | 3 |
| HIS-117 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| MAT- | Mathematics | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| SOC- | Sociology | 3 |
| - | Environmental Studies | 1 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science | 7 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 35 |
SOC Sociology: See footnote 4
Environmental Studies, Natural or Physical Science: See footnote 5
HIS History: See footnote 6
Additional Requirements
| Core Competencies Portfolio |
4 items |
| FORUM |
4 units |
| Health/Fitness |
30 hours |
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.0007 |
| All required ECE courses |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in two years. The actual time needed to complete the program will vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
| ECE-101 | Early Childhood Growth & Development | 3 |
| ECE-104 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HIS-117 | United States History to 1877 | 3 |
| MAT-113 | Introductory Topics in Math | 3 |
| PSY-107 | Introductory Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Semester
| COM- | Communication | 3 |
| ECE-241 | Designing Curriculum: Creativity - a Child's Perspective. | 3 |
| ENG- | English Composition I | 3 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science & Lab | 4 |
| SOC- | Sociology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
Natural or Physical Science & Lab: See footnote 5
SOC Sociology: See footnote 4
Third Semester
| ECE-123 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 3 |
| ECE-124 | Early Childhood Education Seminar I | 1 |
| ENG- | English Composition II | 3 |
| - | Health/Fitness | 2 |
| HIS- | History | 3 |
| - | Humanities or Fine Arts | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
ENG-205: See footnote 1
Humanities or Fine Arts: See footnote 2
HIS History: See footnote 6
Fourth Semester
| ECE-122 | Special Needs in Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| ECE- | Elective | 3 |
| ENG- | Literature | 3 |
| MAT- | Mathematics | 3 |
| - | Natural or Physical Science | 3 |
| - | Environmental Studies | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 16 |
ECE Elective: See footnote 3
Natural or Physical Science, Environmental Studies: See footnote 5
Footnotes
- ENG-205, Children’s Literature, recommended. Fulfills 3 credit hours of a Literature requirement ONLY for students in this concentration.
- For students who need the course for their work setting, ECE-220, Infant and Toddler Care, may be substituted.
- ECE-223 and ECE-224 strongly recommended
- Sociology course chosen from SOC-105 or SOC-136.
- The Natural or Physical Science requirement must be fulfilled by one four credit laboratory science and one three credit non- laboratory science or by two four credit laboratory sciences. Completion of an environmentally focused laboratory science, such as BIO-109, BIO-110, ENV-101, ENV-102, fulfills both the Natural and Physical Science and Environmental Studies requirements.
- Chosen from HIS-113, HIS-114, HIS-121, or HIS-122.
- For many transfer institutions, a 2.5 or higher is required.
Notes
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reasonable academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is otherwise qualified.
There are specific sensory, motor and psychosocial skills needed to successfully complete the Early Childhood Education program. Any student who feels he/she will require accommodations with these skills should contact the coordinator of Disability Services.
CORI Check, SORI Check, and Fingerprinting (additional state fee): Any prior criminal offense could hinder placement in practicum agencies and the ability to take national licensure examinations. See Criminal & Sex Offender Record Information Checks for details.