Early Childhood Education

Scholarships

Below is a list of scholarship opportunities for early learning professionals:

Washington Scholarship for Child Care Professionals
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families
Federal and State Grants

Practicum Information

Early childhood education certificates and degrees cover an interdisciplinary array of topics to prepare graduates to work with children, usually from the ages of birth through around age 8. Courses include opportunities to work with children through specially design practicum and course application components. You may complete your work with children in a variety of early learning settings including:

SFCC/SCC Early Learning Centers
Head Start/Early Head Start
ECEAP
Montessori Programs
Elementary Schools
State Licensed Child Care Centers
State Licensed Family Child Care Homes
Before & After School Care (i.e public/private schools; state licensed facilities)
Student's own place of employment may be considered (contact program staff for additional information and approval)

This broad exposure to a variety of settings with children, under direct supervision of a master teacher, is one of the program's strengths.

A Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background clearance and proof of negative TB test will be required prior to a practicum placement with children. See Background Check Requirements information below.

Degrees/Certificates

Depending on your goals, these certificates and degrees could prepare you for a career as an early childhood professional. The SFCC Early childhood education program offers several options:

Washington State ECED Stackable Certificates (12-47 credits)
SFCC ECED Certificate (60 credits)
ECED AAS Degree (90 credits) - A two-year designed to begin or advance your career
quickly and conveniently
ECED AAS-T Degree (90 credits) - A two year degree designed to prepare students for transfer to a four-year institution
ECED AAS-T WSU BA in Human Development Articulation
ECED AAS-T EWU BAE in Early Childhood Education P-3 Certification Articulation
Associate in Arts (AA) degree - includes 15-25 credits of electives in ECED that transfers to four-year schools

Program Learning Outcomes

Students will demonstrate proficiency in the seven Critical Work Functions for the Washington State Skill Standards for the Lead Early Childhood Teacher.
Students will demonstrate proficiency in both written and oral communication.
Students will demonstrate the ability to manage resources relevant to the Early Childhood Education profession.

Background Check Requirements

It is highly recommended students successfully complete the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) background check BEFORE enrolling in the program’s practicum courses. The DCYF background clearance process may take considerable time to fully complete and there are some criminal charges that can disqualify individuals from being allowed to work with children. Students cannot earn a degree in the ECED program unless they are able to complete ECED courses with practicum hours which require direct contact with children.

Washington State law directs DCYF to conduct background checks on anyone authorized to care for or have unsupervised access to children in licensed child care. For more information on background clearance please visit DCYF’s background check requirements page.

Professional Organizations

ECED& 100 — Child Care Basics — 3.0 Credits

Designed to meet licensing requirements for early learning lead teachers and family home child care providers, STARS 30 hour basics course recognized in the MERIT system. Topics: child growth/ development, cultural competency, community resources, guidance, health/safety/nutrition and professional practice.

ECED 103 — College Success — 3.0 Credits

This course provides an opportunity for students entering early childhood education to learn about services and strategies to help them become successful college students. Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in any ECED course.

ECED& 105 — Introduction to Early Childhood Education — 5.0 Credits

Explore the foundations of early childhood education. Examine theories defining the field, issues and trends, best practices, and program models. Observe children, professionals, and programs in action.

ECED& 107 — Health, Safety, Nutrition — 5.0 Credits

This course emphasizes the development of skills needed to ensure good health, nutrition, and safety of children in group care and education programs. Students recognize the signs of abuse and neglect, responsibilities for mandated reporting, and available community resources.

ECED 118 — Early Childhood Education Seminar — 0.5-11.0 Credits

These short-term, skill-building seminars provide students with training options for the early childhood education profession. Content focuses on a variety of aspects of early childhood education. Seminars can be taken prior to ECE coursework or to meet one-time and/or ongoing training requirements. These seminars address 11 Core Competencies outlined in the Washington State Training and Registry System (STARS) and can be used to meet annual requirements.

ECED& 120 — Practicum-Nurturing Relationships — 2.0 Credits

In an early learning setting apply best practice for engaging in nurturing relationships with children. Focus on keeping children healthy and safe while promoting growth and development.

ECED& 132 — Infants and Toddlers — 3.0 Credits

Examine the unique developmental needs of infants and toddlers. Study the role of the caregiver, relationships with families, developmentally appropriate practices, nurturing environments for infants and toddlers, and culturally relevant care.

ECED 133 — Practicum: Infants/Toddlers Care — 2.0 Credits

In an infant or toddler childcare and education program, apply best practices for responsive, respectful, and reciprocal care. 66 practicum hours required in an approved infant or toddler program.

ECED& 134 — Family Child Care — 3.0 Credits

Learn the basics of home/family child care program management. Topics include: licensing requirements; business management; relationship building; health, safety, and nutrition; guiding behavior and; promoting growth and development.

ECED& 139 — Administration of Early Learning Programs — 3.0 Credits

Develop administrative skills required to develop, open, operate, manage, and assess early childhood education and care programs. Explore techniques and resources available for Washington State licensing and NAEYC standard compliance.

ECED& 160 — Curriculum Development — 5.0 Credits

Investigate learning theory, program planning, and tools for curriculum development promoting language, fine/gross motor, social-emotional, cognitive and creative skills and growth in young children (birth-age 8).

ECED& 170 — Learning Environments for Young Children — 3.0 Credits

Design, evaluate, and improve indoor and outdoor environments which ensure quality learning, nurturing experiences, and optimize the development of young children.

ECED& 180 — Language and Literacy — 3.0 Credits

Develop teaching strategies for language acquisition and literacy skill development at each developmental stage (birth-age 8) through the four interrelated areas of speaking, listening, writing, and reading.

ECED& 190 — Observation and Assessment — 3.0 Credits

Collect and record observation of and assessment data in order to plan for and support the child, the family, the group and the community. Practice reflection techniques, summarizing conclusions and communicating findings.

ECED 191 — Practicum: Observation and Assessment — 2.0 Credits

In an early care and education classroom apply best practices working with young children, including observation and assessment of young children. 66 practicum hours required in an approved program.

ECED 282 — Practicum I — 5.0 Credits

This course focuses on the documentation of children's growth and development through a portfolio project. One hundred and thirty-three hours of field experience are required. Prerequisite: ECED& 120 or ECED 102

ECED 283 — Practicum II — 5.0 Credits

This practicum course is designed to be a synthesizing experience where a student puts theory into practice. It is a continuation of skill building developed in previous practice. Students examine all of the skills/competencies of the professional teacher and develop documentation of his/her own competencies. One hundred and thirty-three hours of field experience are required. Prerequisite: ECED& 120 or ECED 102

When are classes available?
The ECED program at SFCC is a fully online certificate and degree program.

Note: Some courses require application and/or practicum hours. These hours are in addition to time devoted to your course work each quarter and equal approximately 2-13 additional hours per week depending on course requirements.

What class(es) should I consider taking first?

ECED& 105 Introduction to ECED
ECED& 107 Health, Safety, Nutrition
ECED& 120 Practicum – Nurturing Relationships (includes required practicum hours with young children)
EDUC& 115 Child Development
EDUC& 130 Guiding Behavior

What if I have taken classes for credit at other institutions or I already have my CDA?

Transfer credits to SFCC
Prior learning experience
Current CDA or STARS? Contact program faculty or staff for assistance.

Note: SFCC ECED program policy requires students transferring credits from other schools to successfully complete 50% of the required certificate/degree credits at SFCC, including ECED/EDUC credits.

Can I transfer my ECED credits/degree from SFCC to four-year institutions?
Students interested in transferring are encouraged to contact their school of choice for more information about transfer options. Students may also consult an ECED faculty and/or staff member for additional information and to determine the best pathway for transferring.

Will I get to work with children while taking classes?
Some ECED courses include an application and/or practicum component. See Practicum Information and Background Check Requirements above in the Detailed Information section.

How do I get started?
Before you start the application process, look through Become a Student to learn the different options for becoming a student at Spokane Falls Community College (SFCC).

Contact 509-533-3148 with any other questions.

About the Program