Major Code
570B
The Early Childhood Education Program is designed to prepare professionals for a variety of positions within the field, from caring for and educating infants, toddlers and preschoolers to managing a child care center or preschool program. It also prepares students to serve as a teacher's aide in a public school. Students in other disciplines, such as Education or the Health Professions, as well as parents and prospective parents may also elect to take courses in the Early Childhood Education curriculum.
Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Credentials
As an Illinois Gateways entitled institution, Waubonsee Community College has aligned its Early Childhood Education coursework with the requirements students need to apply for Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Credentials. To obtain the Gateways credential,students must have a high school diploma or GED. Illinois Gateways credentials, which are awarded and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development, show professional achievement, knowledge, skills and experience in caring for and educating children. Employers can use these credentials to help them in their hiring decisions. Waubonsee Community College's Early Childhood Education program offers the coursework to attain the following Gateways credentials: Early Childhood Education Level 2 through 4, Infant and Toddler Level 2 through 4, and ESL/Bilingual Level 2 through 4. In addition to these credentials, students may pursue the Director Level 1 certification by completing the AAS in Early Childhood Education, additional courses and an internship. Students who complete the requisite Waubonsee coursework are eligible to apply through Gateways for the corresponding level credential. Application fees may apply.
Waubonsee's Early Childhood Education Program certificates can stand alone or can be “stacked” together to earn more advanced certificates and, eventually, the AAS degree in Early Childhood Education.
For further information regarding the attainment of the Gateways credentials or other program questions, contact the Early Childhood Education Department at (630) 906-4117.
General Education Requirements
COM100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication
ENG101 First-Year Composition I
ENG102 First-Year Composition II
Mathematics elective *
Social and Behavioral Science elective
Major Program Requirements
Students pursuing the ECE Credential Level 4, the Infant and Toddler Credential Level 4 or the ESL/Bilingual Credential Level 4 are required to complete this core group of courses:
m ECE101 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
m ECE106 Guiding Young Children
m ECE115 Child Growth and Development
m ECE120 Health, Safety and Nutrition
m ECE125 Child, Family and Community
m ECE130 Observation and Assessment
m ECE140 Inclusion in Early Childhood: Birth Through Age Eight
m ECE198 Curriculum for Early Childhood Programs
m ECE210 Language Arts for the Young Child
m ECE215 Creative Activities for the Young Child
m ECE220 Mathematics and Science for the Young Child
m ECE250 Early Childhood Education Practicum
Electives and Emphasis Areas
Students pursuing the ECE Credential Level 4, the Infant and Toddler Credential Level 4 or the ESL/Bilingual Credential Level 4 through Gateways should complete the electives/emphasis area courses as detailed below:
ECE Level 4 Emphasis
Complete three of the following courses:
m ECE145 Multiculturalism in Early Childhood
m ECE204 Infant and Toddler Curriculum
m ECE212 Foundations of a Multilingual Early Childhood Classroom
m ECE230** Early Childhood Center Administration
m ECE237 Early Childhood Multilingual Classroom - Methods and Strategies
Infant and Toddler Level 4 Emphasis
Complete these two courses:
m ECE204 Infant and Toddler Curriculum
m ECE205 Infant and Toddler Method Strategies
and also complete one of the following courses:
m ECE145 Multiculturalism in Early Childhood
m ECE212 Foundations of a Multilingual Early Childhood Classroom
m ECE230** Early Childhood Center Administration
m ECE237 Early Childhood Multilingual Classroom - Methods and Strategies
ESL/Bilingual Level 4 Emphasis
Complete these three courses:
m ECE145 Multiculturalism in Early Childhood
m ECE212 Foundations of a Multilingual Early Childhood Classroom
m ECE237 Early Childhood Multilingual Classroom - Methods and Strategies
Program Total
