SCC Course Catalog

Early Childhood Education

Overview Pathway Requirements Accreditation Additional Information Employment Data

Contact(s): Christy Hopkins, Cyndie Osborne, Jaime Shelton

The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with all children from infancy through middle childhood in diverse, inclusive learning environments.

Throughout the Early Childhood Education program, students will gain knowledge and understanding of foundational theories of child growth, development, and learning, observation and assessment, planning, domains of development, guidance, and ways to effectively communicate with parents, children, and other professionals in the field. Learning opportunities and course assignments provide students with a strong foundation in evidenced-based and current principles to work with children, families, and the community. Students will show competency in the program by integrating learned theories with practice in early childhood settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.

Students who earn an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education will have opportunities to work in a variety of early childhood settings or potentially go further towards a Bachelor's degree in Child Development/Early Childhood or the Birth-Kindergarten Licensure. Students who wish to purse a Bachelor's beyond the AAS in Early Childhood should work with their advisor closely.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Associate Degree, students will be able to:

Use multidimensional knowledge on the developmental period of early childhood, individual uniqueness variations for each child, and development and learning in cultural contexts to make evidence-based decisions that support each child.
Use community resources to support children's learning and development while supporting families, building partnerships between early learning settings, schools, and community organizations and agencies.
Use screening and assessment tools in ways that are ethically grounded and developmentally, ability, culturally, and linguistically appropriate in order to document progress and promote positive outcomes for each child by building partnerships with families and professional colleagues.
Use a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate, culturally and linguistically relevant, anti-bias, evidenced-based teaching skills and strategies that reflect principles of universal design for learning.
Modify teaching practices by applying, expanding, integrating, and updating their content knowledge in the disciplines, their knowledge of curriculum content resources, and their pedagogical content knowledge.
Use professional communication skills, including technology-mediated strategies, to effectively and ethically support young children's learning and development through reflective and intentional practice to work with families and colleagues.

The Early Childhood Education degree will transfer to other Colleges and Universities:

A55220TL – Transfer B-K Licensure Track and A55220NL – Transfer Non-Licensure Track will transfer to the 12 public universities that offer the Early Childhood or Child and Family Development bachelor’s degrees.

Additionally, we have articulation agreements with three private colleges/universities: Barton College, Catawba College and Gardner-Webb University to their Early Childhood bachelor’s degree programs.

A55220CR – Career Ready Track is a non-transfer degree program.

Please work closely with your advisor to make sure you are in the right track to meet your future goals.

Early Childhood Education Career Ready Track - A55220CR
Early Childhood Education Career Ready Track - Part-time Pathway
Early Childhood Education – Transfer B-K Licensure Track – A55220TL
Early Childhood Education – Transfer B-K Licensure Track - Part-time Pathway
Early Childhood Education Transfer Non-Licensure Track - A55220NL
Early Childhood Education Transfer Non-Licensure Track - Part-time Pathway
Early Childhood Education Diploma – D55220
Early Childhood Education Special Education Certificate - C55220S
Early Childhood Education School Age Certificate – C55220SA
Early Childhood Education Social/Emotional Development Certificate – C55220SE
Early Childhood - Infant Toddler CDA Certificate - C55220IT
Early Childhood Certificate Option – Infant/Toddler Care – C55290
Early Childhood Infant/Toddler - CCP
Early Childhood Administration Certificate – C55850
Early Childhood Preschool Certificate – C55860
Early Childhood Preschool - CCP

Early Childhood Education Career Ready Track - A55220CR

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	17
Spring		Credit Hours
ART 111 or ART 115 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Art History Survey II Music Appreciation	3
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	18
Summer		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
EDU Elective^*		6
	Credit Hours	14
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
EDU Elective^*		9
	Credit Hours	16
	Total Credit Hours	71

Early Childhood Education Career Ready Track - Part-time Pathway

Plan of Study Grid
Term 1		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
	Credit Hours	8
Term 2		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	9
Term 3		Credit Hours
ART 111 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Music Appreciation	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 4		Credit Hours
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 5		Credit Hours
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 6		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
EDU Elective^*		3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 7		Credit Hours
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
	Credit Hours	5
Term 8		Credit Hours
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU Elective^*		6
	Credit Hours	9
Term 9		Credit Hours
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
EDU Elective^*		6
	Credit Hours	9
Term 10		Credit Hours
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	7
	Total Credit Hours	71

Early Childhood Education – Transfer B-K Licensure Track – A55220TL

Gainful Employment Disclsoure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	17
Spring		Credit Hours
ART 111 or ART 115 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Art History Survey II Music Appreciation	3
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	18
Summer		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall		Credit Hours
BIO 110	Principles of Biology	4
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 250	Teacher Licensure Preparation	3
HIS 131 or HIS 132 or SOC 210	American History I American History II Introduction to Sociology	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 216	Foundations of Education	3
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
PHY 110	Conceptual Physics	3
PHY 110A	Conceptual Physics Lab	1
	Credit Hours	17
	Total Credit Hours	73

Early Childhood Education – Transfer B-K Licensure Track - Part-time Pathway

Plan of Study Grid
Term 1		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
	Credit Hours	8
Term 2		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	9
Term 3		Credit Hours
ART 111 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Music Appreciation	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 4		Credit Hours
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 5		Credit Hours
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 6		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
PHY 110	Conceptual Physics	3
PHY 110A	Conceptual Physics Lab	1
	Credit Hours	7
Term 7		Credit Hours
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 250	Teacher Licensure Preparation	3
	Credit Hours	8
Term 8		Credit Hours
BIO 111	General Biology I	4
SOC 210	Introduction to Sociology	3
	Credit Hours	7
Term 9		Credit Hours
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU 216	Foundations of Education	3
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
	Credit Hours	9
Term 10		Credit Hours
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	7
	Total Credit Hours	73

Early Childhood Education Transfer Non-Licensure Track - A55220NL

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	17
Spring		Credit Hours
ART 111 or ART 115 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Art History Survey II Music Appreciation	3
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	18
Summer		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	6
Second Year
Fall		Credit Hours
BIO 110	Principles of Biology	4
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 261	Early Childhood Administration I	3
HIS 131 or HIS 132 or SOC 210	American History I American History II Introduction to Sociology	3
	Credit Hours	15
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 262	Early Childhood Administration II	3
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
PHY 110	Conceptual Physics	3
PHY 110A	Conceptual Physics Lab	1
	Credit Hours	17
	Total Credit Hours	73

Early Childhood Education Transfer Non-Licensure Track - Part-time Pathway

Plan of Study Grid
Term 1		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
	Credit Hours	8
Term 2		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	9
Term 3		Credit Hours
ART 111 or MUS 110	Art Appreciation Music Appreciation	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 4		Credit Hours
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
ENG 112 or ENG 114	Writing and Research in the Disciplines Professional Research & Reporting	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 5		Credit Hours
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
MAT 143	Quantitative Literacy	3
	Credit Hours	6
Term 6		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
PHY 110	Conceptual Physics	3
PHY 110A	Conceptual Physics Lab	1
	Credit Hours	7
Term 7		Credit Hours
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 261	Early Childhood Administration I	3
	Credit Hours	8
Term 8		Credit Hours
BIO 110	Principles of Biology	4
SOC 210	Introduction to Sociology	3
	Credit Hours	7
Term 9		Credit Hours
COM 231	Public Speaking	3
EDU 262	Early Childhood Administration II	3
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
	Credit Hours	9
Term 10		Credit Hours
EDU 284	Early Childhood Capstone Practicum	4
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	7
	Total Credit Hours	73

EDU Elective list

Plan of Study Grid
Courses		Credit Hours
EDU 149	Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder	3
EDU 150	Building an Inclusive Classroom	3
EDU 154	Social/Emotion/Behavior Development	3
EDU 157	Active Play	3
EDU 222	Learners with Behavior Disorders	3
EDU 235	School-Age Development and Programs	3
EDU 259	Curriculum Planning	3
EDU 261	Early Childhood Administration I	3
EDU 262	Early Childhood Administration II	3

Early Childhood Education Diploma – D55220

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
ACA 122	College Transfer Success	1
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
ENG 111	Writing and Inquiry	3
	Credit Hours	14
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
PSY 150	General Psychology	3
	Credit Hours	12
Summer		Credit Hours
EDU 151	Creative Activities	3
	Credit Hours	3
Second Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 280	Language and Literacy Experiences	3
	Credit Hours	11
	Total Credit Hours	40

Early Childhood Education Special Education Certificate - C55220S

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 149	Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder	3
	Credit Hours	9
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 150	Building an Inclusive Classroom	3
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
EDU 222	Learners with Behavior Disorders	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	18

Early Childhood Education School Age Certificate – C55220SA

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
	Credit Hours	9
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
EDU 157	Active Play	3
EDU 235	School-Age Development and Programs	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	18

Early Childhood Education Social/Emotional Development Certificate – C55220SE

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
	Credit Hours	9
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 154	Social/Emotion/Behavior Development	3
EDU 221	Children With Exceptionalities	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	18

Early Childhood - Infant Toddler CDA Certificate - C55220IT

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
	Credit Hours	10
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 184	Early Childhood Introductory Practicum	2
	Credit Hours	8
	Total Credit Hours	18

Early Childhood Certificate Option – Infant/Toddler Care – C55290

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
Courses		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
	Total Credit Hours	16

Early Childhood Infant/Toddler - CCP

Tuition-waived program for Career & College Promise (high school juniors and seniors)

Program is available online.

Plan of Study Grid
Courses		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 144	Child Development I	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 234	Infants, Toddlers, and Twos	3
	Total Credit Hours	16

Early Childhood Administration Certificate – C55850

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 261	Early Childhood Administration I	3
	Credit Hours	7
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
EDU 262	Early Childhood Administration II	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	16

Early Childhood Preschool Certificate – C55860

Program is available online.

Gainful Employment Disclosure

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
	Credit Hours	7
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	16

Early Childhood Preschool - CCP

Tuition-waived program for Career & College Promise (high school juniors and seniors)

Program is available online.

Plan of Study Grid
First Year
Fall		Credit Hours
EDU 119	Introduction to Early Childhood Education	4
EDU 146	Child Guidance	3
	Credit Hours	7
Spring		Credit Hours
EDU 131	Child, Family, and Community	3
EDU 145	Child Development II	3
EDU 153	Health, Safety and Nutrition	3
	Credit Hours	9
	Total Credit Hours	16

NAEYC values the role of higher education in advancing the early childhood education profession. NAEYC is the sole accreditor of early childhood degree programs. The mission of the accreditation system is to set a standard of excellence for early childhood degree programs and to recognize programs that have demonstrated they meet this standard, thereby benefiting the early childhood profession, young children, families, and communities.

Stanly Community College has chosen to return to self-study for the Accreditation of our early childhood associates in applied science programs in the summer of 2022 based on the transition from 2010 NAEYC Standards for Initial Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs to the 2021 Ensuring Quality in Early Childhood Education Professional Preparation Programs: NAEYC’s Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation Standards.

While we work to make changes to our courses to reflect the new Competencies and Standards of Early Childhood professionals, our courses will maintain the level of standards from the 2010 accreditation system. The Early Childhood Department values what NAEYC stands for by using this common knowledge about the preparation of paraprofessionals in the field of Early Childhood. Students should familiarize themselves with the NAEYC Standards and key elements, which is how faculty determine students' competency in the EDU courses throughout their course of study here at Stanly Community College.

Mission/Conceptual Framework

The mission of the Early Childhood Department at Stanly Community College is to impact the lives of children from birth to age eight and their families, by producing well-rounded professionals with skills to meet the needs of children and families.

The Conceptual Framework at Stanly Community College is what sets us apart and reinforces our values that observation, documentation, and assessment are central to inform planning through play and drive instruction. Appropriate Successful Strategies in Early Childhood Education using Standards to enhance Skills (ASSESS).

During this time of self-study, all course assignments and discussions will be updated to the new standards and competencies for preparing early childhood professionals. Below is the new standards and competencies:

All early childhood education associate degree graduates should be able to use skills and knowledge to:

Promote Child Development and Learning
- Knowing and understanding young children's characteristics and needs
- Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning
- Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments
Build Family & Community Relationships
- Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics
- Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships
- Involving families and communities in their children's development and learning
Observe, Document and Assess to Support Young Children and Families
- Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment
- Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches
- Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child
- Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and with professional colleagues
Use Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families
- Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with children
- Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education
- Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches
- Reflecting on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child
Use Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
- Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines
- Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines
- Using their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child.
Become A Professional
- Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field
- Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines
- Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice
- Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education
- Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession
Early Childhood Field Experiences
- Opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of the three early childhood age groups (birth – age 3, 3 – 5, 5 – 8)
- Opportunities to observe and practice in at least two of the three main types of early education settings (early school grades, child care centers and homes, Head Start or equivalent programs)

The Early Childhood Department of SCC follows the NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation, thus requiring field experiences in nearly every course. Additionally, our college requires two different practicums (student teaching) courses in which students must complete specified contact hours in a three star or higher licensed child care facility in NC. In NC, the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Criminal Records Unit mandates a criminal records check for all individuals working with young children. Once the criminal records check has been completed eligible students will receive a “Qualifying Letter”. This process typically takes up to four to six weeks once the complete package is submitted. Therefore, applicants accepted for admission to the Early Childhood program at SCC, who are not already employed in a licensed child care facility, are strongly urged to complete a criminal records check. Students choosing not to complete the criminal records check may be refused entry by a child care facility, and will therefore be unable to complete course requirements. Child care facilities also have the right to require immunization records, a TB test, and a drug screening. Students are advised to keep these records up to date.

When registering for the practicum courses, in the Early Childhood Associate Degree program, students not currently employed in an approved child care facility will be placed by the EDU practicum faculty. At this point, students will be required to have a “Qualifying Letter” from DHHS, a negative TB test result, immunization records, and a drug screening prior to placement. Additionally, students must meet sensory, strength, and mobility requirements necessary to work with children.

Students unable to obtain a “Qualifying Letter” from DHHS may not be eligible to work in licensed early childhood facilities, and may not be able to complete the Early Childhood program.

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