Early Childhood A.A.S.

The Early Childhood program is designed to prepare competent and thoughtful professionals for a career in a variety of school settings. Opportunities positions at childcare centers, Pre-Kindergarten, public schools K-2nd grade, Head Start, infant and toddler programs, nursery schools, and in family child day care.

Early Childhood core courses, field experiences, and seminars enable students to think about ways to support the complex needs of today’s families in school and child care settings. Liberal Arts courses expand the students’ understanding and knowledge and help to provide a solid foundation for students who plan to further their educations as well as for those who seek employment in the field upon completion of the program.

Through supervised fieldwork and class seminars, students are supported in translating theory into practice. Cooperating teachers in the field help students to scaffold their understandings, to reflect, to question, and to come to a deeper understanding of the values that underlie their work with children. Students leave the program with a solid philosophy and experiences upon which to reflect and build.

Knowledge of children through observation, description and reflection as well as the most current research in the field are the basis for creating and implementing curriculum that meets the diverse needs of the individuals within the group. Students learn to apply this knowledge to creating 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 and evening, providing those who are already working in the field an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and to use job experience for field credit. Classes are held both on the main campus in Valhalla and at extension centers throughout the county.

Upon successful completion of this program, a student will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to build a philosophy of teaching, based on valuing children’s strengths and ways of knowing, to guide daily practice and inform curriculum choices.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of how to support each child’s strengths and ways of knowing in early childhood settings.
3. Demonstrate the ability to recognize the diverse and complex characteristics of children’s families and communities as a foundation for building relationships with them in early childhood settings.
4. Demonstrate the ability to work effectively in early childhood settings. 
5. Demonstrate competency and broad foundational knowledge in the general education curriculum as required by Westchester Community College.

Students are required to fulfill a certain number of credits within the specific categories shown below. Where specific courses are not listed within these categories, courses must be selected from the list of SUNY General Education Courses.

Select TWO courses in the same language:

• Foreign Language – see SUNY General Education Courses 

• The Arts - see SUNY General Education Courses 

Educational Plan: The Educational Plan is an advisement tool that provides important information to students about how to complete this degree. Click here to Download the Educational Plan.

Are you wondering what careers you can explore with a degree or certificate? Perhaps you are not sure what people do or how much money they make in certain careers that pique your interest? Would you like to know how many jobs are predicted to be available in a particular industry? Or maybe you are unsure whether receiving a degree or certificate would be right for you? Go to https://sunywcc.emsicareercoach.com to explore career paths, their associated job descriptions, salary trends, and jobs trends. Complete a career assessment for additional guidance. Still not sure? Visit www.sunywcc.edu/career for more career resources and contacts.

Westchester Community College is committed to facilitating a smooth transfer process for its incoming and graduating students. To ensure its graduates enjoy a seamless transfer with junior status to another college in the same discipline at both institutions (transferred from/to) and are able to complete a bachelor’s degree within two years of full-time study upon transfer, Westchester Community College has signed Transfer Articulation Agreements with many colleges that offer bachelor’s degree programs. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transferarticulation to see a list of Articulation Agreements by institution or search by a specific program of study. Visit www.sunywcc.edu/transfer for additional transfer resources and contacts.

Transfer Scholarship Opportunities

Many colleges and universities are eager to have Westchester Community College graduates transfer to their institutions. Consider this an incentive to complete your WCC degrees with high honors!  Go to www.sunywcc.edu/scholarships to view the many transfer scholarship opportunities to four-year colleges.

Are you a prospective Westchester Community College graduate? We look forward to seeing you soon! Apply today, then see the College’s Admissions and Enrollment Checklist.