The Early Childhood Education curriculum prepares individuals to work with children from birth through eight in diverse learning environments. Students will combine learned theories with practice in actual settings with young children under the supervision of qualified teachers.
Course work includes child growth and development; physical/nutritional needs of children; care and guidance of children; and communication skills with families and children. Students will foster the cognitive/language, physical/motor, social/emotional, and creative development of young children.
Graduates are prepared to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in early childhood settings. Employment opportunities include child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Head Start Programs, and school-age programs.
What is Early Childhood Education? A program that prepares individuals to promote child development and learning, work with diverse families and children, observe, document and assess to support young children and families, use content knowledge to build meaningful curriculum, and use developmentally effective approaches in collaboration with other early childhood professionals. Potential course work includes instruction in all areas of child development such as emotional/ social/ health/ physical/ language/ communication, approaches to play and learning, working with diverse families, and related observations/ student teaching experiences.
Students can choose between two degree tracks in Early Childhood Education:
- Career-Ready Non-Transfer Track
- Birth through Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure Transfer Track
Upon successful completion of this program, the student should be able to:
- Students will be able to promote positive relationships among all children and adults in early childhood settings.
- Students will be able to create lesson plans, including daily activities, schedules, and routines to be used in early childhood settings.
- Students will be able to establish relationships with and use the resources of the children’s communities to support the achievement of program goals in early childhood settings.
- Students will be able to create developmentally appropriate assessments to provide information on children’s learning and development.
- Students will be able to identify theories, research, and principles related to child development, growth, and learning.
A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education (A55220C)
2025-2026 Catalog
A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education (A55220C) and (A55220L) Print Version
This track is for students seeking to earn a 2-year A.A.S. degree and continue into the workforce to work in childcare or plan to own or direct their own childcare center.
Program of Study
| Fall Semester | |||
| ACA-111 | College Student Success | 1 | |
| OR | ACA-122 | Transfer & Career Success | 1 |
| CIS-113 | Basic PC Literacy | 1 | |
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-144 | Child Development I | 3 | |
| EDU-131 | Child, Family, & Community | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
| EDU-145 | Child Development II | 3 | |
| EDU-146 | Child Guidance | 3 | |
| EDU-151 | Creative Activities | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | |||
| EDU-163 | Classroom Mgmt. & Instruction | 3 | |
| EDU-188 | Trends/Policies in Early Child | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| MAT-143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| ## | Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | |||
| EDU-153 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 | |
| EDU-221 | Children With Exceptionalities | 3 | |
| EDU-234 | Infants, Toddlers, & Twos | 3 | |
| EDU-235 | School-Age Dev & Program | 3 | |
| EDU-280 | Language & Literacy Experiences | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| EDU-252 | Math & Science Activities | 3 | |
| EDU-271 | Educational Technology | 3 | |
| EDU-284 | Early Child Capstone Practicum | 4 | |
| ! | Major Elective | 3 | |
| Elective Options | |||
| Fall Semester | |||
| ACA-111 | College Student Success | 1 | |
| OR | ACA-122 | Transfer & Career Success | 1 |
| CIS-110 | Introduction to Computers | ||
| OR | CIS-113 | Basic PC Literacy | 1 |
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-144 | Child Development I | 3 | |
| EDU-131 | Child, Family, & Community | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
| EDU-145 | Child Development II | 3 | |
| EDU-146 | Child Guidance | 3 | |
| EDU-151 | Creative Activities | 3 | |
| Choose one of the following: | |||
| EDU-163 | Classroom Mgmt. & Instruction | 3 | |
| EDU-188 | Trends/Policies in Early Child | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| **Math Elective | |||
| ## | **Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | |
| Fall Semester | |||
| EDU-153 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 | |
| EDU-221 | Children With Exceptionalities | 3 | |
| EDU-234 | Infants, Toddlers, & Twos | 3 | |
| EDU-235 | School-Age Dev & Program | 3 | |
| EDU-280 | Language & Literacy Experiences | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| EDU-252 | Math & Science Activities | 3 | |
| EDU-271 | Educational Technology | 3 | |
| EDU-284 | Early Child Capstone Practicum | 4 | |
| ! | Major Elective | 3 | |
| **Math Elective | |||
| Select one from the following: | |||
| MAT 143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| MAT 171 | Precalculus Algebra | 4 | |
| **Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | |||
| Select one from the following: | |||
| ART 111 | Art Appreciation | 3 | |
| MUS 110 | Music Appreciation | 3 | |
| MUS 112 | Introduction to Jazz | 3 | |
| PHI 215 | Philosophical Issues | 3 | |
| PHI 240 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| **Major Elective | |||
| Select one from the following: | |||
| EDU 222 | Learners with Behavior Disorders | 3 | |
| EDU 223 | Specific Learning Disabilities | 3 | |
| EDU 261 | Early Childhood Admin I | 3 | |
| EDU 262 | Early Childhood Admin II | 3 |
*This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.
A.A.S. in Early Childhood Education: Birth through Kindergarten (B-K) Licensure Transfer Track (A55220L)
2025-2026 Catalog
Early Childhood Education – Birth Through Kindergarden (B-K) (A55220L) Print Version
This track is for students seeking to earn a 2-year A.A.S. degree and transfer to a 4-year institution to complete a Bachelor of Science degree in a Birth through Kindergarten program. Students selecting this track plan to work as a preschool or kindergarten teacher.
Potential Career Options
Kindergarten Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Program of Study
| Fall Semester | |||
| ACA-111 | College Student Success | 1 | |
| OR | ACA-122 | Transfer & Career Success | 1 |
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-131 | Child, Family, & Community | 3 | |
| EDU-144 | Child Development I | 3 | |
| EDU-153 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 | |
| Spring Semester | |||
| ENG-111 | Writing and Inquiry | 3 | |
| EDU-145 | Child Development II | 3 | |
| EDU-146 | Child Guidance | 3 | |
| EDU-151 | Creative Activities | 3 | |
| Summer Semester | |||
| PSY-150 | General Psychology | 3 | |
| **Biological Science Transfer Specific Elective | 4 | ||
| **English Composition Transfer Specific Elective | 3 | ||
| **Math Elective | 3/4 | ||
| Fall Semester | |||
| EDU-221 | Children With Exceptionalities | 3 | |
| EDU-234 | Infants, Toddlers, & Twos | 3 | |
| EDU-280 | Language & Literacy Experiences | 3 | |
| **Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | 3 | ||
| **Natural Science Transfer Specific Elective | 4 | ||
| Spring Semester | |||
| COM-231 | Public Speaking | 3 | |
| EDU-216 | Foundations of Education | 3 | |
| EDU-250 | Teacher Licensure Program | 4 | |
| EDU-284 | Early Child Capstone Practicum | 4 | |
| # | Social/Behavioral Science Transfer Specific Electives | 3 | |
| Elective Options | |||
| **Math Elective | |||
| Select one course from the following: | |||
| MAT 143 | Quantitative Literacy | 3 | |
| MAT 171 | Precalculus Algebra | 4 | |
| **Humanities/Fine Arts Elective | |||
| Select one course from the following: | |||
| ART 111 | Art Appreciation | 3 | |
| MUS 110 | Music Appreciation | 3 | |
| MUS 112 | Introduction to Jazz | 3 | |
| PHI 215 | Philosophical Issues | 3 | |
| PHI 240 | Introduction to Ethics | 3 | |
| **Biological Science Transfer Specialty Elective | |||
| OR | Select one course from the following: | ||
| BIO 110 | Principles of Biology | 4 | |
| BIO 111 | General Biology I | 4 | |
| OR | **English Composition Transfer Specialty Elective | ||
| Select one course from the following: | |||
| ENG 112 | Writing/Research in the Disciplines | 3 | |
| ENG 114 | Professional Research & Reporting | 3 | |
| **Natural Science Transfer Specialty Elective | |||
| Select one course/lab from the following: | |||
| CHM 151 | General Chemistry I | 4 | |
| PHY 110 | 110A Conceptual Physics/Lab | 4 | |
| **Social/Behavioral Science Transfer Specialty Elective | |||
| Select one course from the following: | |||
| ECO 251 | Principles of Microeconomics | 3 | |
| ECO 252 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 3 | |
| HIS 111 | World Civilizations I | 3 | |
| HIS 112 | World Civilizations II | 3 | |
| HIS 131 | American History I | 3 | |
| HIS 132 | American History II | 3 | |
| POL 120 | American Government | 3 | |
| SOC 210 | Introduction to Sociology | 3 |
- *This course is a component of the general education requirements needed for graduation.
- NOTE: Students are required to take ACA 111 or ACA 122 in their first semester.
Administrative Certificate (C55220F)
This certificate is designed for the individual who would like to gain knowledge of theoretical foundations, national learning standards, the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, and state regulations, as well as business skills needed to assume administration/ownership roles in the early childhood care field.
Program of Study
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-146 | Child Guidance | 3 | |
| EDU-188 | Trends/Policies in Early Child | 3 | |
| EDU-261 | Early Childhood Admin I | 3 | |
| EDU-262 | Early Childhood Admin II | 3 |
Infant/Toddler Care Certificate (C55290)
This certificate is designed for the individual who would like to gain knowledge of theoretical foundations, national learning standards, the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development. Coursework includes development from conception through approximately 36 months, healthy environments, and strategies for building relationships with diverse populations.
Program of Study
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-131 | Child, Family, & Community | 3 | |
| EDU-144 | Child Development I | 3 | |
| EDU-153 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 | |
| EDU-234 | Infants, Toddlers, & Twos | 3 |
Preschool Certificate (C55220P)
This certificate is designed for the individual who would like to gain knowledge of theoretical foundations, national learning standards, and the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, and includes coursework on development from conception through approximately 36 months. Topics include healthy environments and strategies for building relationships with diverse populations as well as factors that influence development from preschool through middle childhood. Students will learn strategies to encourage social skills, self-regulation, emotional expression, and positive behaviors while recognizing the relationship between children’s social, emotional, and cognitive development.
Program of Study
| EDU-119 | Intro to Early Childhood Education | 4 | |
| EDU-131 | Child, Family, & Community | 3 | |
| EDU-145 | Child Development II | 3 | |
| EDU-146 | Child Guidance | 3 | |
| EDU-153 | Health, Safety & Nutrition | 3 |
Earn College Credit in High School
A CCP pathway for high school juniors and seniors is available for this program. Visit the Career and College Promise page for more information.
The Career and College Promise (CCP) Program provides opportunities for eligible high school students to start college early, where courses can count for dual credit (credit in the high school and college at the same time), all TUITION-FREE! CCP students accelerate completion of college certificates, diplomas, and associate degrees that provide entry-level job skills and/or lead to college transfer credit.
Students entering or applying to enter certain programs of study should be aware that completion of the program, licensure, certification, and/or employment may be affected if they have a prior criminal record. Programs where a student’s prior criminal record may come into question include, but are not limited to: Health Science programs, Basic Law Enforcement Training, Criminal Justice Technology, Early Childhood Education, Paralegal Technology, and Emergency Medical Services.
Community agencies that provide opportunities for sponsorship, practicums, internships, or clinical experience may require criminal background checks. If the participating agency will not accept the student because of a criminal record, the student may be unable to continue in the program. Students completing certain programs of study may be prohibited from obtaining credentials 46 or licenses due to a criminal record. In such cases, the actual violation and the length of time since that violation may be a deciding factor. In some cases, employers may be required by law to perform a criminal background check prior to employment. The College conducts pre-employment criminal background checks on all eligible applicants for Federal Work Study positions.
Program Coordinator - Early Childhood Education
Faculty Schedule: Angela Freeman
Phone: (252) 246-1272
Email: akfreeman@wilsoncc.edu
