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Early childhood education (ECE) focuses on nurturing and teaching children from birth through age eight. ECE professionals create stimulating environments and learning opportunities to assist in the child's development.
Research shows that the first five years of a child's life are critical to long-term development. An early childhood educator participates in the foundation of the child's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development.
ECEs are always needed, and their work can make a lasting impact on a child's life.
This program, which leads to either an Associate in Applied Science degree or a certificate, prepares students for jobs in child care. Requirements for the degree and certificate are listed below.
Every student in the ECED program should be aware that the Missouri State Board of Education may refuse to issue, renew, suspend or revoke a certificate of license to teach if an individual has pleaded or been found guilty of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude whether or not sentence is imposed; upon evidence that the certificate was obtained by fraud, deception, misrepresentation or bribery; upon evidence of incompetence, immorality or neglect of duty; or if the certificate holder is subject to discipline in another state.
Do you have an active CDA, or are you in the process of attaining one in the Early Childhood Education field? If so, you can earn your ECED certificate or degree from MCC more quickly than you think.
A CDA (Child Development Associate) is a nationally recognized certificate awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. It consists of multiple components, including 480 hours teaching children in a classroom at the age you want to become certified in, an observation, the CDA exam, a portfolio review, and an application fee.
You can earn the CDA by taking 120 clock hours of documented professional development or nine hours of college credit. MCC offers three courses that equal nine credit hours towards the CDA. These courses are ECED 101-Foundations of Early Childhood, ECED 110-Child Health, Safety and Nutrition, and ECED 112-Learning Environments.
For more information, visit The Council for Professional Recognition at CDACouncil.org. For information on scholarships to help pay for the CDA, visit frontlineeducation.com.
Early childhood educators can work in many different settings. Depending on educational attainment, one can be an assistant teacher, lead teacher, floater, administrator, director, para-professional, instructional coach, nanny, and more.
Careers are found in the K-12 public school system, private centers, private schools, after-school programs, and home-based care.
Visit Occupational Information Network (O*NET) to view salary information, employment outlook and personal characteristics needed for this career.
For Early Childhood Education and Development In the Kansas City Metro Area
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