A grade of “C” or better must be achieved in all required Early Childhood Education courses (prefix “ECE”) to earn an AAS or Certificate in Early Childhood Education or an Early Learning Assistant Certificate.
Before the first day of classes, students enrolling in the Early Childhood program must complete and submit the following:
1. Proof of a current negative TB test.
2. Medical Examination Report for Childcare Providers/Staff.
3. Proof of registration in or application to the Missouri Family Care Safety Registry.
Early Childhood majors must be able to work with children and adults. They must be in good physical condition and have the stamina to care for and interact with children.
# Courses required for the Infant/Toddler CDA credential
> Courses required for the Preschool or Family CDA credential
+ CDA Elective
+ECE 110 Foundations of Early Care and Education 3-0-3
This course surveys the historical, philosophical, legal and cultural foundations of child development, early learning and care-giving that shape current policy and practice. State and national educational standards will be introduced to guide students in their professional development and in the required observation and analysis of group settings for children from infancy through primary school. Students will explore and compare diverse career paths working with children from birth to eight years of age and their families. (FA).
+ECE 120 Nutrition, Safety, and Health 3-0-3
This course provides current information on health, safety, and nutrition as it relates to the young child. It will enable the Early Childhood professional to provide a safe, healthy learning environment as well as assist young children to develop a healthy lifestyle. (SP)
#ECE 130 Essentials of Infant/Toddler Care 3-0-3
This course guides the student through the essentials of providing a developmentally appropriate, stimulating learning environment, which also supports the social/emotional development of infants and toddlers, ages birth to 3 years. (FA)
>ECE 140 Play as Learning 3-0-3
This course explores Developmentally Appropriate Practice in Early Childhood and guides the student through the essentials of providing a developmentally appropriate, stimulating learning environment, which also supports the social/emotional development of the child. (SP)
+ECE 145 CDA Preparation and Observation 2-3-3
This course is designed for students entering the early childhood education field and plan to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. This course covers the content of eight subject areas required to meet the learning competencies of the CDA credential. It will also entail observation hours in licensed early childhood centers which may be applied towards the contact hour requirement of the certification process.
>#ECE 150 CDA Seminar 1-20-2
ECE150 CDA Seminar is an opportunity to practice implementing nurturing, stimulating learning environments in the workplace. Students will receive consultation and support to develop their Family Child Care Home, Center— Preschool, or Center—Infant/Toddler setting in line with CDA Standards. Students must complete all requirements to be eligible to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) through the National Council for Professional Recognition by the end of this course, including working a minimum of 20 hours per week in a qualified setting and earning a grade of “C” or higher in all CDA courses. Prerequisites: ECE110 or ECE120, ECE130 or ECE140, and ECE165 or ECE175. Must have worked a minimum of 480 hours in a regulated childcare work setting prior to beginning this course and continue to work in the same setting until completion of the course or have completed ECE145. May substitute for ECE160 or ECE170. (SP)
ECE 151: CDA Seminar II 1-20-2
This is a course only for students needing to retake ECE150 because of changes in certification requirements that may have occurred if a student last took ECE150 more than three years ago. This course mirrors ECE150 and is an opportunity to practice implementing nurturing, stimulating learning environments in the workplace. Students will receive consultation and support to develop their Family Child Care Home, Center— Preschool, or Center— Infant/Toddler setting in line with CDA Standards. Students must complete all requirements to be eligible to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) through the National Council for Professional Recognition by the end of this course, including working a minimum of 20 hours per week in a qualified setting and earning a grade of “C” or higher in all CDA courses. Pre- or corequisites: ECE110 or ECE120, ECE130 or ECE140, and ECE165 or ECE175. Must have worked a minimum of 480 hours in a regulated childcare work setting prior to beginning this course and continue to work in the same setting until completion of the course. May substitute for ECE160 or ECE170. (SP)
ECE 160 Beginning Laboratory in Infant/Toddler Setting 1-3-2
This course provides an opportunity to experience the daily routines and challenges of a program designed specifically for infants and toddlers (birth to 3 years) and practice implementing stimulating environments. Students will complete 45 hours of field experience in an approved program, submit weekly online assignments, and attend at least two on campus seminars. Pre- or corequisites: ECE110, ECE130, and ECE165. Must be concurrently enrolled in ECE165.
ECE 165 Assessment in Early Childhood I 1-0-1
This beginning course provides an overview of assessment in early childhood. It emphasizes the skills for authentic assessment through observation and documentation of the individual child’s growth and development. Prerequisite: ECE130. Corequisite: ECE150 or ECE160 or instructor approval.
ECE 170 Beginning Laboratory in Preschool 1-3-2
This course provides an opportunity to experience the daily routines and challenges of a preschool (3 to 6 years) program and practice implementing stimulating learning environments. Students will complete 45 hours of field experience in an approved program, submit weekly online assignments, and attend at least two on-campus seminars. Pre- or corequisites: ECE110, ECE140, and ECE 175 Must be concurrently enrolled in ECE 175.
ECE 175 Assessment in Early Childhood II 1-0-1
This course builds on the observation skills learned in ECE165. Students will continue to hone authentic assessment skills, learning to collect and organize assessment evidence for student and program evaluation and planning. Formal assessment such as screening and diagnostic instruments will be introduced. Prerequisite: ECE140. Corequisite: ECE150 or ECE170 or instructor approval.
ECE 210 Early and Middle Childhood 3-0-3
This course explores theories of child growth and development as they are applied in early care and education settings. The emphasis is on development from birth to 12 years of age and includes in-depth exploration of current brain research as it relates to theories of learning. Students will complete developmental summaries based on research and real life observations. Pre- or corequisites: ECE170 or ECE160 or ECE150 or CDA credential; and LAL101. (SP)
ECE 220 Working with Families and the Community 3-0-3
This course explores the diverse cultures, values, and traditions of family systems and the Early Childhood professional’s role in partnering with parents to form a nurturing learning community. Students will develop skills to help them effectively relate to parents and access community resources. Pre- or corequisites: ECE170 or ECE160 or ECE150 or CDA credential; and LAL101. (FA)
ECE 230 Guidance and Inclusion in Early Childhood 3-0-3
This course explores developmental strengths, challenges, and special needs that impact the child’s success in the Early Childhood setting. Individual and classroom strategies to guide all children toward emotional, moral, and social competence are emphasized. Prerequisites: ECE170 or ECE160 or ECE150 or CDA credential; and LAL101. (FA)
ECE 240 Emergent Language and Literacy 3-0-3
This course examines the emergence of language and literacy in young children as a dynamic process requiring support of receptive and expressive language skills, both oral and written. Students will learn to assess language development and literacy learning and analyze and select appropriate literature and other learning materials for diverse learners, including linguistic diversity. Prerequisites: ECE170 or ECE160 or ECE150 or CDA credential; and LAL101. (FA)
ECE 250 Curriculum and Planning in Early Childhood 3-0-3
This advanced curriculum course integrates the material from previous courses into a cohesive individual philosophy and methodology of Early Childhood Care and Education. It emphasizes integrating subject areas to attain a stimulating learning environment that provides emotional security and optimal development for each child. Modern theory as it is encapsulated in current curriculum models will be examined. Prerequisite: ECE210. Pre- or corequisites: ECE220, ECE230 and ECE240. (FA)
ECE 260 Professional Issues in Early Childhood 3-0-3
This course investigates the roles and responsibilities of the Early Childhood professional. The student’s personal development will be enhanced through the critical exploration of ethics, advocacy, and leadership. Prerequisites: LAL101 and 15 credit hours in ECE. (SP)
ECE 270 Management of Early Childhood Programs 3-0-3
Management of Early Childhood programs including homes, group homes, and centers will be examined in this course, which encompasses administration, marketing, personnel issues, parent and community involvement, and legal responsibilities. Prerequisites: ECE250 and MTH095 or BOA152. (SP)
ECE 290 Early Childhood Practicum 1-10-3
This final field experience reinforces the skills learned throughout the program and provides an opportunity to integrate skills and competencies into an individual philosophy and methodology of Early Childhood care and education. This course extends the experiences of the earlier laboratories, requiring participation in planning and implementing all classroom routines during a total of 150 hours of field experience in an approved setting. Prerequisites: ECE250. Pre- or corequisites: ECE260 and ECE270. (SP)
ECE 296 Early Childhood Capstone 1-0-1
The student will prepare a portfolio to showcase development and integration of knowledge, self-reflection, and application of course work using NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professionals. Depending upon future goals, students may align their reflections to Missouri Standards (e.g., MoSTEP or OPEN). Application and interview skills will also be addressed. Pre or corequisite: ECE290. (SP)
ECE 299 Special Studies in Early Childhood (1-6)-0-(1-6)
This course will consist of specialized study in areas of the department, which are not covered in-depth in courses already offered. Students may take no more than six credit hours of special studies in any one discipline. (IN)