Early Childhood Associate
The Early Childhood Associate curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from 
infancy through middle childhood in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.
Course work includes childhood growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with parents and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/ emotional and creative development of young children. Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings.
What will you learn?
•Childhood growth and development
•Physical and nutritional needs of children
•How to foster the language, social and
creative development of young children
Unique Opportunity
ACC operates a full-time child care facility on-site for students and the public.
What can you earn?
Associate in Applied Science Degree
Early Childhood Associate
Diploma
Early Childhood
Certificate
•Early Childhood
•Child Care Essentials
•Early Childhood Administration
•Early Childhood/School Age
•Infant/Toddler Care
Career opportunities
•Teachers and lead teachers in child care centers
•Teacher assistants in public school
•Operate a family child care center
Salary
Entry-level range: $7-$14 an hour
With five years’ experience: up to $17 an hour for teachers; up to $40,000 per year for administrators
(contingent on economy and geographic location)
Admission
Students may be required to take one or more developmental English or math courses prior to the required course(s) depending upon their SAT, ACT, COMPASS or ASSET test scores.
Additional requirements: a current negative tuberculin skin test and a current health questionnaire must be submitted to the department before students may complete any course work involving working with children.
Technical Standards
Students enrolling in the program must meet specific emotional, behavioral, physical, and cognitive standards. This information is found in the Admissions office.
Students qualifying for special accommodations to these standards must contact the Coordinator for Special Needs and Counseling at 336-506-4130 for more specific information.
Contact us
For more information, call the Early Childhood department at 336-506-4118.
print Early Childhood Associate Terminal Non-Transfer (Day Option) • Semester by Semester
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Communication Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 7 | 7 | |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Major Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 9 | 9 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 22 | |||
print Early Childhood Associate Terminal Non-Transfer (Evening Option) • Semester by Semester
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Major Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social/Behavioral Science Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math/Science Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 3 | 3 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 22 | |||
print Early Childhood Diploma • Semester by Semester
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
| Course Number |
Course Title |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Communication Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Major Elective | 3 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 6 | 6 |
| TOTAL CREDITS | 10 | |||
printChild Care Essentials Certificate
| Course Number |
Course TITLE |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
printEarly Childhood Administration Certificate
| Course Number |
Course TITLE |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
printEarly Childhood Preschool Certificate
| Course Number |
Course TITLE |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
printEarly Childhood/School Age Certificate
| Course Number |
Course TITLE |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester Total | 0 | 0 |
printInfant/Toddler Care Certificate
| Course Number |
Course TITLE |
contact hours |
Credit hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDU-119 | Introduction to Early Childhood Education | 4 | 4 |
EDU-119 Introduction to Early Childhood Education PREREQUISITES and COREQUISITES • NONEThis course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family. Upon completion, students should be able to design a career/professional development plan, appropriate environments, schedules, and activity plans. Register for this class |
|||
| Semester Total | 4 | 4 | |
Introduction to Early Childhood Education
| Term | ID | Methods | Faculty | Times | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020FA | EDU-119-01H |
CLASS |
Jones, Jennifer |
T at 9:05 AM - 11:00 AM Online |
MAIN 00209 DSED ONLNE |
| 2020FA | EDU-119-03E |
OCLS |
Doe, Shanina |
Online
Object] at - |
DSED ONLNE |
| 2020SP | EDU-119-01W |
CLASS |
Doe, Shanina |
T,TH at 9:05 AM - 11:05 AM |
MAIN 00209 |
| 2020SP | EDU-119-02E |
OCLS |
Doe, Shanina |
Online
Object] at - |
DSED ONLNE |
| 2020SU | EDU-119-01E |
OCLS |
Doe, Shanina |
Online
Object] at - |
DSED ONLNE |
| 2021SP | EDU-119-01H |
CLASS |
Doe, Shanina |
T at 9:05 AM - 11:05 AM Online |
MAIN 00209 DSED ONLNE |
| 2021SP | EDU-119-02E |
OCLS |
Doe, Shanina |
Online
Object] at - |
DSED ONLNE |
Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, Head Start Programs, and school age programs. Students planning to work in field of child care are required to undergo a criminal records check upon employment. In some cases, the individual’s criminal record could prohibit him/her from being employed in a child care facility. If you have questions regarding your own criminal record history, you need to contact the NC Division of Child Development at 800-859-0829 to discuss your employability. Other schools and agencies may have similar requirements. It is the student’s responsibility to find out about their own employability with any employer.
If a student is disqualified by the NC Division of Child Development and Early Education, the student will not be able to participate in any practicum or other practical experience. This would include courses EDU 214 and EDU 284; therefore, the student would not be able to complete the diploma or associate degree in Early Childhood.
A Criminal Records Check may be required in some practicum placements. The approximate cost is $50.
Early Childhood Faculty
| Name | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Blankenship, Drucilla | Email Drucilla Blankenship | email only |
| Daniels, Brooke | Email Brooke Daniels | email only |
| Doe, Shanina | Email Shanina Doe | 336-506-4021 |
| Jones, Jennifer | Email Jennifer Jones | 336-506-4276 |
| Ketcham, Kristina | Email Kristina Ketcham | 336-506-4118 |
| Kroenung, Erin | Email Erin Kroenung | email only |
| Riggins, Rhodus | Email Rhodus Riggins | email only |
| Sykes, Caroline | Email Caroline Sykes | 336-506-4123 |