Kellogg Community College provides high quality training to prepare individuals with the skills necessary to influence future generations of children.
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education Pre-Service (transfer track)
- Secondary Education Pre-Service (transfer track)
What Is Early Childhood Education?
Early Childhood is the field of study which focuses on children's growth and development between the ages of birth and 8 years.
This is the time when a child's progress depends upon her or his ability to explore the world and learn new concepts every day. Early Childhood professionals recognize that
children have predictable stages of development, learn best through active play and by developing relationships with their peers and the adults around them.
What Do Early Childhood Professionals Do?
Early Childhood professionals promote young children's healthy growth and development by providing secure and loving environments
filled with age appropriate activities in areas like music, math, science, art, literacy, cooking, and gross motor skills (running, jumping, climbing).
Early Childhood professionals have dynamic careers and hold positions as preschool teachers, parent educators, child care givers, assistant teachers,
licensed home day care providers, child care program directors, public school teachers, and education curriculum specialists. All of these positions give individuals the opportunity to work
directly in support of young children and their families.
Kellogg Community College believes high-quality early childhood training impacts the quality of school readiness and school success provided in any community. KCC's program is competency-based and offers a wide variety of training options to meet each individual student's needs. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) national accreditation standards provides the foundation of the Program.
Courses for academic credit enable students to work toward a Child Development Associate (CDA), a certificate in Early Childhood Education, or earn an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.
The Early Childhood Education Program Director works with students on an individual basis to help them plan and meet training goals. Courses are available in Battle Creek, Hastings, Coldwater, and on the Internet. Students may qualify for work experience credit towards the Internship courses. Specialty courses are usually offered in the evenings and on the weekends.
- The KCC Early Childhood Education Program is an approved Michigan Career Development Occupational Program
- Most classes are offered in the evening, online, or on weekends to meet non-traditional student needs
- Course instructors have up-to-date skills and knowledge
- Classes are hands-on and meaningful
- Each student receives individualized advising
- How children grow and develop physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively
- What criteria determine a quality early childhood program
- How to positively communicate with adults and children
- The importance to society of family in the development of young children
- How to plan and implement developmentally appropriate learning experiences for young children
- The basis for ethical and professional decision making
- Communications and problem solving skills
- How to work in a team
- The importance of national and state standards and mandates
- How to manage an effective and positive early childhood program
- Strategies which support the growth and development of all children
- Culturally diverse programming
Graduates in early childhood education are qualified to work in a variety of settings such as Head Start, child care centers, preschools, schools, hospitals, family programs, and licensed child care homes. Early childhood professionals work in careers which include: preschool teachers, infant and toddler specialists, assistant teachers, parent educators, elementary teachers, principals, curriculum specialists, literacy specialists, licensed home child care providers, paraprofessionals, child care providers, nannies, child care directors and home educators.
Kellogg Community College offers several options to prepare students for an early childhood education career. The program designs training to meet individual needs within four main training options:
- Coordinated Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credential Training
- Early Childhood Education Certificate
- Associate Degree in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education
The Kellogg Community College Early Childhood Education Program provides specific courses to help people meet the State of Michigan Child Care Licensing Regulations for child care providers, federal mandates for Head Start teaching staff, and the State of Michigan Department of Education Great Start Readiness training guidelines for preschool paraprofessionals. Students may opt for transfer planning to universities to study majors in child development, elementary education, and other related fields. Many students use specific courses to meet the State of Michigan Department of Education guidelines for the Michigan Teacher Certification continuing training hours.
The course work within the Early Childhood Education Program is designed to give students a solid foundation and quickly prepare them with the necessary skills to be successful in their career. Training options such as the coordinated CDA training program are also offered.
Topics Covered in Early Childhood Courses Include:
- Early Childhood Health, Safety, and Nutrition
- Child Growth and Development
- Positive Child Guidance
- Infant and Toddler Care
- Child Care Administration
- Early Childhood Literacy
- Young Children with Special Needs