Education
Early Childhood Development
Frederick Community College's Early Childhood Development program prepares students to teach and care for children from infancy to 12 years of age in nursery schools, child care centers, before-and-after-school programs and home-based childcare settings.
Our Program
On The Job
Job Skills
Program Objectives
Growth Potential & Estimated Salaries
Financial Assistance
Faculty
Gainful Employment Program Reporting
Related Links
Please refer to the catalog for curriculum requirements.
Our Program
FCC's early childhood development program offers day and night classes, many of which are offered in a fast track format through Weekend College. Students gain practical experience and a competitive edge in the job market by working in the FCC Children's Center under the guidance of the professional staff.
FCC offers students several ways to prepare for careers in the field:
- 90-hour Letter of Recognition, Child Care Preschool Teacher
Meets the educational requirements of the Department of Human Resources and Child Care Administration for the position of Child Care Preschool Teacher. In this position, students can teach preschool children in various settings. Students must pass both courses with a "C" or better to receive the LOR.
- Certificate, Child Care Preschool & School Age Teacher Training
FCC ’s four-course certificate career program in early childhood development prepares students to enter the work force in early childhood development. The certificate targets four courses that are required to meet the educational requirements for Maryland State Department of Education Office of Child Care. The certificate highlights the following positions: child care teacher of preschools, infant/toddler classrooms; and school age before/after school programs. A grade of C or better must be earned in all courses to receive certificate.
- Certificate, Early Childhood Development
A 30-credit program of specialized coursework and practical experience in child psychology, behavior, growth and development, and care.
Gainful Employment Program Reporting Certificate
- A.A.S. Degree, Early Childhood Development
A 60-62 credit program that combines courses and practical experience in guidance, growth and development, and activities with additional courses including language and literacy, early childhood education, and health, safety and nutrition. Completion of general education credits is also required.
On The Job
Positions may include nanny, family childcare provider, assistant group leader, group leader and senior staff. Additional experience can lead to early childhood center directors and coordinators.
Job Skills
- Understanding of child development and behavior
- Knowledge of developmentally approved practices and materials
- Familiarity with materials
- Health, safety & nutrition
- Familiarity with appropriate guidance techniques
Program Objectives
- Demonstrate the ability to integrate and implement curriculum areas
- Develop and implement lesson plans
- Demonstrate the ability to manage behavior patterns of individuals and groups of children
- Demonstrate skill in interpreting observed behavior
- Function effectively in a teaching environment
- Apply theory and research to classroom practice
- Assess and respect individual children's needs
- Promote safe and nurturing environment
Growth Potential & Estimated Salaries
Ample opportunity is available in the field for qualified persons interested in working with this age group. The Frederick job market is very active. Entry level salaries vary widely, and increase with education, experience and responsibility.
Take it from an FCC Early Childhood Development Graduate…
"The faculty and staff prepared me very well to work with children-I got an excellent background in child growth and development, as well as solid experience in the field. I feel the FCC program provided me with the insight into children I use every day as a lead teacher at FCC's Children's Center."
- Terry Falkenberg, FCC graduate
Financial Assistance
FCC provides a tuition payment plan. Scholarship and loan assistance is available for eligible students. In addition to general scholarships, the following is available to early childhood students:- Loats Foundation Scholarship
Faculty
Program manager Delaine Welch has outstanding credentials and many years of educational experience in the field. Adjunct and part-time faculty are all knowledgeable educators with real-world experience in early childhood development.All take a personal interest in helping students achieve their career goals. Expect small class sizes, an integrated classroom/ field experience approach, and flexible day, evening and weekend class schedules. Call Delaine Welch at 301.846.2559 or email dwelch@frederick.edu
Child Growth and Development information
The following websites provide valuable information on children's developmental growth and agencies that have resources and work to benefit development.
American Academy of Pediatrics
American Dietetics Association
Brain Connections
Canadian Health Network
Children, Youth And Families Education and Research Network
ERIC Clearinghouse on Elementary and Early Childhood Education (ERIC/EECE) and the National Parent Information Network (NPIN)
March of Dimes
National Institute on Early Childhood Development and Education
National Library of Medicine
National Network for Child Care
National Women's Health Information Center
The National Parent Information Network
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Zero to Three
Kids Health
The Associate of Arts in Teaching degree (A.A.T.) is designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year college or university. All education majors must see an advisor prior to registering for classes. Students who are interested in special education or early childhood transfer programs should also follow this program of study.
A.A.T. program requirements:
1. Students must achieve a 2.75 cumulative G.P.A. and earn a “C” or better in all courses used to satisfy the A.A.T. requirements. Some competitive colleges and universities may require a higher G.P.A. for transfer.
2. Students must submit passing scores for the PRAXIS I: Academic Skills Assessment prior to the completion of the 45th credit hour. PRAXIS I is a standardized national test used to measure reading, writing and mathematical skills and is administered in paper and pencil format six times a year. Scores are established by the Maryland State Department of Education and are subject to change. Students should have their scores sent to the college by entering code 5230 on the PRAXIS I registration form.
3. In consultation with their advisor, students majoring in education prior to fall 2002 may complete the A.A. education program from pervious catalogs or change their major to the A.A.T. education program. Students seeking to transfer to a four-year college or university outside of Maryland are strongly advised to consult with the education advisor at their transfer institution.
Lesson planning, curriculum ideas and more
The following Web site links provide a wealth of information on lesson planning in various curriculum areas with young children, ways to foster creativity in both the teachers and young children and agencies.
Lesson PlansLycos Zone-ALFY
Creative Teaching Homepage
Early Childhood.Com
Art Connex-TJ's Corner for Kids
Kinder Art
Scholastic Resources
Activity Idea Place
A to Z Kid's stuff
A to Z Teacher Stuff Network
Gryphon House Publishers
Classroom Management-The Awesome Library
Teacher.Net (The Ultimate Teacher's Resource)
Early Childhood Education On Line
National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)
Technology and Young Children
Hall of Early Childhood Education
Art Education and Teaching Art
Arts/Crafts for Kids
Crayola Art Education
International Child Art Foundation
Joyful Heart Learning Center
Schoolzone
The Magic School Bus Art Gallery
VegeGarden: Stages of Art Development
Child Fun
Activity Place
Preschool Education
Creative Preschool
The Perpetual Preschool
Children's Literature Web Guide
The EFL Playhouse
The Holiday Zone
I'm a Little Teapot!
The Language Area
Language Arts Lessons
Lil' Fingers Storybooks
Linking Literature with Learning
Reading Children's Books: There's More To It Than Meets The Eye
READY * SET * READ FOR CAREGIVERS
Right Time, Right Place: Encouraging Families to Read to their Children
Young Children's Oral Language Development
Doing Mathematics with Your Child
Learning Science and Math in Your Community
Making Puzzles
The Math and Manipulatives Area
Professional Organizations and Agencies
Connecting with other child care professionals and professional organizations is an important component of early childhood education. The following links provide information related to local, state, and national organizations and sources of information.
Frederick County Office for Children and Families
Frederick County Public Schools Office of Early Childhood Education/Learning Village
Mental Health Association of Frederick County
Maryland Committee for Children
Maryland Children's Health Program
Maryland Child Care Resource Network
Maryland Governor's Office for Children, Youth and Families
Maryland Advocates for Children and Youth
DHR - Maryland Child Care Administration
Children's Defense Fund
Stand For Children
National Association for the Education of Young Children
National Association for Family Child Care Providers
Child Care Workforce Alliance
Ready At Five
National Head Start Association
Head Start Bureau
United States Department of Education
United States Department of Health and Human Services
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies
Child Care Law Center
Child Welfare League of America
National Black Child Development Institute
National Center for Children in Poverty
National School-Age Care Alliance
Zero to Three
Project Approach in Early Childhood and Elementary Education
