Early Childhood Education (ECD)
Type: Career, Degree (AS)
Open Admissions
Division: Human Services
This Early Childhood option prepares students for The Department of Early Education and Care certification and employment as Lead Teachers in non-public school settings for children ages 2.9 to six years. Sequences of courses in Human Services and Early Childhood Education are reinforced by observation of and direct work with young children preparing students for immediate work in the field of early childhood and offering some transferable credits to four-year colleges.
Students interested in participating in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly, or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship, or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider, may be required to undergo criminal background checks, including a national as well as local check (i.e. Massachusetts Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) and Sex Offender Record Information (SORI)). Please note that applicants may also be required to be fingerprinted. Depending on the contents of these criminal background check(s), a student's participation in an academic program that involves working with children, the disabled, or the elderly or which includes a clinical affiliation, internship or field placement with a private or public healthcare provider may not be allowed, and therefore may impact a student's ability to complete program requirements. Furthermore, please note that eligibility to participate in the program and/or clinical affiliation, internship or field placement as a result of screening requirements, such as criminal background checks, is not a guarantee of eligibility to sit for professional credentialing examination(s) or employment upon graduation.
If you have questions related to program admissions or applications, please contact info@northshore.edu or call 978-762-4188.
First Year
Fall
| CMP101 | Composition 1 | 3 |
| ECE101 | Child Growth and Development | 3 |
| ECE110 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 |
| HUS101 | The Human Services Worker | 3 |
| PSY102 | Introduction to Psychology | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| CMP102-150 | Composition 2 Elective | 3 |
| ECE105 | Using the Expressive Arts with Young Children | 3 |
| ECE245 | Field Placement & Seminar 1 in Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| LA-ELECTIVE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Second Year
Fall
| BEH-ELECTIVE | Behavioral Science Elective | 3 |
| ECE203 | Planning Programs for Young Children | 3 |
| ECE204 | Children With Special Needs | 3 |
| ECE246 | Field Placement Seminar 2 Early Childhood Education | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Spring
| ECE103 | Supporting the Young Child's Physical and Mental Health | 3 |
| LA-ELECTIVE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| LA-ELECTIVE | Liberal Arts Elective | 3 |
| OPN-ELECTIVE | Open Elective | 3 |
| OPN-ELECTIVE | Open Elective | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 15 |
Requirement Notes
Behavioral Science Elective: Recommended: PSY114, PSY204, PSY136, or SOC112
Open Elective: Recommended: ECE116, ECE206, HUS102, HUS104, HUS120, or HUS122
Program Note
Communication and Mathematics proficiency required to graduate.
See guided pathway sheets for advising information specific to your area of focus.
Total Credit Hours: 60
Program Student Learner Outcomes
- Demonstrate their knowledge about the issues of development, including major theories of development.
- Understand the philosophical traditions of early childhood education and apply them to current issues and trends.
- Plan, implement, and evaluate developmentally appropriate curriculum based on how children learn best including individuality, inclusion, and diversity in all areas of the curriculum.
- Assess their competence in evaluating their attitudes towards children.
- Develop positive interactions with children including enhancing language development, and helping children manage their own behavior.
- Use assessment tools responsibly.
- Become a collaborative team member.
- Build partnerships with families through effective communication and interactions.
- Demonstrate a commitment to the profession by showing awareness of ethical guidelines, early learning standards and core competencies.
- Reflect on their development as a person and an educator and on their pursuit of ongoing professional development.
Occupational Skills for Early Childhood Education Degree Programs
Applicants to the Early Childhood Education Programs at North Shore Community College must possess skills and abilities that will allow them to successfully complete the course of study and receive the full benefit of education. In order to achieve the Degree in Early Childhood Education or to become a Lead Teacher, qualified Candidates must be able to possess the following occupational skills with or without reasonable accommodations.
Physical Capabilities: Candidates must have sufficient motor function and strength so that they can independently, safely lift, and carry a child under the age of six or up to fifty pounds, stoop, kneel, sit on the floor, push and pull equipment and have the dexterity to care for and support children’s needs.
Sensory/Observation Capabilities: Candidates must have functional use of all senses (seeing, hearing) with capabilities to observe and monitor behavior, child interactions, curriculum experiences and individual needs both indoors and outdoors in order to maintain safe, responsive, and productive environments.
Communication Capabilities: Candidates must be able to clearly communicate in English, both orally and in writing (Bilingual/Multilingualism is seen as an asset). Written information would include detailed written observations, ongoing written assessments of children’s skills and abilities, daily updates, and letters to families. Oral communication would include daily conversations with children, parents, team members, and faculty and an understanding of non-verbal cues in interpersonal encounters.
Cognitive Capabilities: Candidates must be able to develop the abilities to reason, analyze, predict, integrate, and evaluate. Problem-solving as well as planning and design are critical skills for educators and require all of these cognitive abilities. Candidates must be able to perform these abilities in a timely manner for effective classroom management.
Behavioral Capabilities: Candidates must possess the emotional, mental, and physical health required for full use of their cognitive abilities, the exercise of sound judgment, and prompt completion of all responsibilities related to teaching and learning. Candidates must be able to nurture mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with peers, team members, parents, and the school community. Candidates must be able to function safely, remain alert to surroundings and potential emergencies and react effectively and calmly under stressful situations. Candidates must maintain personal hygiene consistent with close personal contact associated with working in a classroom and school community and remain free from alcohol and/or chemical impairment.
Professional Capabilities: Candidates must communicate an understanding of basic principles of supervision, codes of ethical conduct, and confidentiality and can display attitudes/actions consistent with the ethical standards of the profession. Candidates must demonstrate good attendance, integrity, and honesty in classrooms and in professional work encounters. Candidates must communicate effectively with children, families, and co-workers of the same or different cultures, with respect, politeness, collaboration, teamwork, and confidentiality.
Experiential Learning Required in Program
- ECE245 - Field Placement/Seminar 1
- ECE246 - Field Placement/Seminar 2
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – All Education Levels
- Child Care Worker and Preschool Teacher
Most Common Linked Occupation Title – Associate’s or Less
- Child Care Worker and Preschool Teacher
Top Transfer Institutions
- Endicott College, Van Loan School of Professional Studies
- Merrimack College
- Northeastern University, College of Professional Studies