Early Childhood

Early Care and Education (ECE) Professionals nurture, educate, and care for young children from birth to eight. More than three fourths of a child’s brain capacity is developed in the first five years. ECE professionals create the learning opportunities that stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual and social growth to support optimal development. They are a part of new discoveries everyday as children explore their interests, develop their talents and learn the social skills to thrive in our diverse society. If you enjoy interacting with children, helping them explore their world, and discover their potential then a degree in Early Childhood from MACC might be right for you.

Program Information

The MACC Early Childhood program prepares graduates to support children and families by providing responsive care and quality education as a director or teacher/caregiver in a childcare center, family childcare home, a Head Start, or Early Head Start program. Successful graduates can also be parent educators, enter public schools as a paraprofessional or continue their education. MACC Early Childhood classes are offered in the evening for the convenience of the working student. The Early Childhood program also offers the Child Development Associate Make a Difference in Credential and a one-year certificate.

Employment Opportunities

More than 1.4 million people worked in the childcare profession in 2006 and that number is expected to grow faster than average for all professions in the next decade. Many of these early care and education professionals work for other employers, but about 35% of all workers in this profession have the entrepreneurial spirit and enjoy the benefits of being self-employed. The proportion of children being cared for by parents or relatives is expected to continue to decline, spurring additional demand for early care and education personnel.

As formal Pre-K education becomes more widely accepted and desired, employment opportunities will increase in the field. An associate degree will be the entry-level educational requirement for these positions. Qualified persons interested in this work should have little difficulty finding and keeping employment, and those individuals with college education can typically expect and demand higher earnings. Earnings for self-employed workers vary depending on the number of hours worked, the number and age of the children served and location.