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Early Childhood Care and Education

The Early Childhood Care and Education Department’s mission is to prepare students for careers in child care and related fields. Students will receive training in human growth and development and will learn the appropriate practices for teaching young children. Our goal is to prepare students so they can enter any childcare facility, whether center-based or family home-based, or elementary school. Our program’s graduates learn to provide the best possible childcare experience and/or learning environment. Part of our curriculum includes children’s art, music and movement and math and science. If you enjoy being creative and working with children, come join the Early Childhood Care and Education program at MGTC. We offer day and night courses as well as some online courses.

Job Outlook:

Individuals pursuing careers in Early Childhood Care and Education can enter careers in local school systems of other child-care facilities. Many graduates pursue entrepreneurial opportunities and start their own childcare business. Entry-level salaries in the Middle Georgia area range from $13,000-$19,000.

Associate Degrees

Early Childhood Care and Education Degree

The Early Childhood Care and Education Associate degree program prepares students for careers in child care and related fields. Learning opportunities develop academic, technical, and professional knowledge and skills required for job acquisition, retention, and advancement. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application necessary for successful employment. Program graduates receive an Early Childhood Care and Education Associate of Applied Science degree with a specialization in one of the following areas: paraprofessional or program management. A satisfactory criminal records check is required for all students prior to being placed in any lab setting.

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
Essential General Core Courses 30
ENG 191 Composition and Rhetoric I 5
ENG 193 Composition and Rhetoric II 5
or
HUM 191 Introduction to Humanities (5)
ENG 195 Technical Communications 5
or
SPC 191 Fundamentals of Speech (5)
MAT 191 College Algebra 5
PSY 191 Introduction to Psychology 5
SOC 191 Introduction to Sociology 5
or
XXX 19X General Core Elective (191 Level or above) (5)
Essential Fundamental Occupational Courses 27
ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth and Development I 5
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 112 Curriculum Development 3
ECE 121 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum I 3
or
ECE XXX Program Elective (3 - 5)
ECE 122 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum II 3
or
ECE XXX Program Elective (3 - 5)
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3
Essential Specific Occupational Courses 38
ECE 113 Art for Children 3
ECE 114 Music and Movement 3
ECE 115 manguage Arts and Literature 5
ECE 116 Math and Science 5
ECE 201 Exceptionalities 5
ECE 202 Social Issues and Families 5
ECE 224 Early Childhood Care and Education Internship 12
Completion of one specialization is required
Professional 15
ECE 203 Human Growth and Development II 5
ECE 211 Methods and Materials 5
ECE 212 Professional Practices 5
Management 15
ECE 217 Program Administration 5
ECE 221 Facility Management 5
ECE 222 Personnel Management 5
Total Hours required for Graduation 110

Diploma Programs

Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
Essential General Core Courses 13
ENG 101 English 5
MAT 101 General Mathematics 5
EMP 100 Interpersonal Relations and Professional Development 3
Occupational 60
ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth and Development I 5
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 112 Curriculum Development 3
ECE 113 Art for Children 3
ECE 114 Music and Movement 3
ECE 115 manguage Arts and Literature 5
ECE 116 Math and Science 5
ECE 121 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum I 3
or
ECE *** Program Elective 3
ECE 122 Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum II 3
or
ECE *** Program Elective 3
ECE 202 Social Issues and Families 5
ECE 224 Early Childhood Care and Education Internship 12
SCT 100 Introduction to Microcomputers 3
Total Hours required for Graduation 73

Technical Certificates of Credit

Child Development Associate

The Child Development Associate I Certificate Program is provided since early childhood care and education programs are encouraging and in some cases requiring their employees to either obtain the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential within a certain length of time or have the credential before being hired as a lead teacher. This program provides training which will allow individuals to test for the Child Development Associate Credential.

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth & Development I 5
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 125 Professionalism through CDA Certification Preparation 2
ECE 126 CDA Certificate Assessment 2
Credits Required for Graduation 19
Family Childcare Provider

The Family Child Care Provider Certificate of Credit Program is intended to provide home-based childcare providers with the knowledge required to implement a program that meets the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development of children. Training will also include CPR and first aid; and training in effective business practices that are tailored to the home-based daycare provider. Certificate recipients will have the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement a nationally accredited home-based daycare business.

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 101 Introduction to Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth and Development 5
ECE 105 Health Safety & Nutrition 5
ECE 142 Family Child Care Program Management 5
ECE 144 Family Child Care Business Management 5
Credits Required for Graduation 25
Infant/Toddler Child Care Specialist

The Infant and Toddler Child Care Specialist Certificate of Credit Program provides a solid Early Childhood Care and Education foundation of knowledge, skills, attitudes, and techniques that will improve the quality of care for Georgia’s infants and toddlers. Competencies are aligned with the Child Development Associate standards from the Council for Early Childhood Recognition.

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 101 Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education 5
ECE 103 Human Growth & Development I 5
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 132 Infant/Toddler Development 5
ECE 134 Infant/Toddler Group Care 5
Credits Required for Graduation 25
School Age and Youth Care

The School Age and Youth Care Technical Certificate of Credit Program is intended to provide center-based and home-based childcare providers with the knowledge required to develop and implement a program that meets the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual development of school-age children. Certificate recipients will have the knowledge and skills necessary to design and implement a nationally accredited home-based or center-based, school-age child care situation.

Course # Course Title Credit Hours
ECE 105 Health, Safety, and Nutrition 5
ECE 151 Introduction to Family Issues 2
OR
ECE 202 Social Issues & Family Involvement 5
ECE 152 Early Adolescent Development 5
ECE 203 Human Growth & Development II 5
ECE 251 Designing Programs and Environments for School-Age Children and Youth 4
Credits Required for Graduation 21(24)

Need more Information?

Click on one of the programs listed to the left to get more information about that program, including specific classes required.

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Can't Decide?

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Degree Types

At MGTC we offer three different levels of credit programs:

Associate Degree
Middle Georgia Technical College offers associate level degrees. They usually take between 1.5 and 2 years to complete. AAS programs include English and Math courses that can transfer to other four year institutions in the state.
Diploma
Middle Georgia Technical College's Diploma Level programs usually take between 1 and 1.5 years to complete and include basic courses, as well as specific technical or occupational courses to prepare students for the workforce.
Certificate
Technical Certificates of Credit (TCCs) usually take about 2 quarters (half a year) to complete and generally focus on very specialized knowledge. These programs teach students specific skills that they can apply in the workforce.