Early Childhood Education
Location: East Campus (Oley) Instructor: Cody Gey
Location: West Campus (Leesport) Instructor: April Lenhart
CIP Code: 19.0708
The Early Childhood Education program is designed to train and prepare students for employment in the early learning field and provides the foundation for study in higher education. Students in this program gain daily practical experience in the on-site child care school.Students study all phases of child development: physical, social, emotional and intellectual. The curriculum focuses on the following topics: establishing and maintaining a safe, healthy learning environment; advancing physical and intellectual competence; supporting social and emotional development and providing positive guidance; establishing positive and productive relationships with families; ensuring a well-run, purposeful program responsive to children’s needs; and maintaining professionalism. Each student works independently with a combination of learning strategies used to enhance the student’s growth.
Graduates of this program are well prepared for a variety of careers working with children including employment in child care centers, nursery schools, elementary schools, Head Start classes, playgrounds, recreation centers and early childhood education centers. A student graduating from this program can qualify as an assistant group supervisor in child care centers throughout Pennsylvania.
Through agreements with various area colleges and universities, our graduates may qualify for advanced credit in early childhood education programs.
Industry Certifications:
Child Development Associate (CDA)-Ready Certificate
First Aid, Infant and Child CPR
Mandated Reporting Certification
OSHA/CareerSafe 10-Hour Certification
Fire Safety Training
American Red Cross Babysitting Basics
Health & Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification
Uniforms
|
Required/Optional Items |
Required Items |
Required Footwear |
Required Safety Gear |
| REQUIRED One Shirt (Any Style Listed): · Burgundy Short Sleeve Polo Shirt with BCTC Logo · Burgundy Long Sleeve Polo Shirt with BCTC Logo OPTIONAL: · Burgundy Sweatshirt with BCTC Logo |
Cotton blue jeans, khakis/cargo pants, dress pants – proper fitting and no holes
Absolutely NO leggings or sweatpants |
Comfortable closed-toe shoes. | N/A |
Textbook
PLEASE NOTE: No textbook is required for this program. Program instructor will provide all needed details at New Student Orientation.
Tool / Supply / Protective Equipment
| Quantity Needed | Level 1, 2, or 3 | Approximate Cost | Suggested Vendor | |
| Footwear Requirement: Closed toed, comfortable shoes for all kinds of weather | 1 pair | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | TBD | Any store |
| 2”, 3-Ring Binder | 1 | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | $10.00 | Walmart |
| Headphones w/3.5mm headphone jack | 1 | Levels 1, 2, & 3 | $15.00 | Walmart |
Berks County’s Teacher Academy
Berks County’s Teacher AcademyThe Teacher Academy is a college credit career pathway where students will be able to begin their Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (ECE) while still in high school. Some of the classes are taught at the Berks Career and Technology Center, others will be offered as dual enrollment or early college. Students may be able to complete their AAS in Early Childhood Teaching in about a year after graduating from high school before seamlessly transitioning to Kutztown University’s BSED (PreK-4 Certification) program offered at RACC’s campus.
RACC’s Early Childhood Teaching (PreK-Grade 4) program is designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment in the ECE field as well as provide the first 61 credits of the bachelor’s degree leading to PreK-Grade 4 Teacher certification. Graduates of this program may seek employment opportunities with Head Start and early childhood programs serving infants, toddlers, pre-schoolers, and school-aged children. In addition, graduates may also seek employment as educational assistants or paraeducators in public and private schools.
Program Entrance Recommendations:
- Emotional maturity
- Students will be working directly
with pre-school age children and must demonstrate
respect and self control at all times.
- Students will be working directly
- Reading at grade level with some college level text
- Basic math skills
- Problem solving/troubleshooting skills
- Ability to work independently and in a team
- Hand-eye coordination
- Artistic ability/creativity
Career Pathways:
- Preschool Teacher (except special education)
- Child Care Worker
- Elementary Teacher Preparation
- Teacher’s Assistant
- Assistant Group Supervisor
- Personal & Home Care Aide
- Recreation Worker
- Teacher’s Assistant
- Education Administrator, Pre-School & Childcare Center Program
- Elementary School Teacher