Division: Business, Behavioral/Social Sciences, Public and Human Services
Academic Dept: Human Services
HEGIS: 5503
Curriculum Chair: Prof. Sheila Hanna
Tel: 914-606-6625

The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare competent professionals for a career in a variety of school settings. Opportunities include childcare centers, Pre-Kindergarten, public schools K-2nd grade, Headstart, infant and toddler programs, nursery schools, and family child day care. Courses in Early Childhood and Human Services, combined with liberal arts core courses, enable student teachers to think about the complex needs of today’s families. Through supervised fieldwork, you will be able to translate theory into practice. Within this process, you will develop professional and personal attitudes and values that will strengthen your work with children. Based on a knowledge of child development, Early Childhood practitioners will learn to plan and implement an appropriate curriculum as well as create and promote learning environments that support the emotional, social, physical, and intellectual growth of young children.

The Early Childhood curriculum is flexible. Classes are held during the day or evening, providing people who are working in the field an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and to use job experience for field credit. Classes are held both on the college campus and at extension centers.

Graduates may transfer to baccalaureate programs to qualify for NY State Provisional Teacher Certification 0-2nd grade and/or dual certification (0-2 and 1-6th grade).