Program Overview

College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Early Childhood Education program will help prepare you to work with children from infancy through middle childhood. You’ll learn the skills needed to plan and implement programs that help foster children’s cognitive, language, physical, social, emotional and creative development.

Course work includes child growth and development, physical and nutritional needs, care and guidance, and child/parent communication skills.

Degree and Certificate Options

• Early Childhood Education — Certificate
• Infant Toddler Care — Certificate
• Early Childhood Education Career Entry — Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
• Early Childhood Education Non Licensure Transfer Track — Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
• Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer Track — Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

Careers

Employment opportunities include:

• Child development and childcare programs
• Preschools, public and private schools
• Recreational centers
• Head Start and school-age programs

Visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website to read the occupational outlook handbook for Early Childhood Education careers:

Childcare Workers

Preschool Teachers

Transferring to a Four-Year College or University

Elizabeth City State University, East Carolina University (ECU) and most of the University of North Carolina system universities have 2+2 transfer programs in early childhood education. Students interested in becoming a certified elementary teacher (K-6) should consider pre-majoring in elementary education.

For more information, please visit ECU transfer program.

Licensing Forms

North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education Childcare Administrators Education and Equivalency Form (DCDEE.0173)

Early Childhood Education Administration Application (PDF)

North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education Childcare Providers Education and Equivalency Form (DCDEE.0169)

Early Childhood Education Credentials Application (PDF)

Curriculum Guides

Early Childhood Education Certificate Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Infant Toddler Care Certificate Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Early Childhood Education Career Entry AAS Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Early Childhood Education Non Licensure Transfer Track AAS Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Early Childhood Education Licensure Transfer Track AAS Curriculum Guide (PDF)