Early Childhood Education (AAS)

Additional financial assistance might be available for G3 programs. Please contact your advisor or counselor for more information.

Program Info

Minimum credits: 62
Length: 2 years (4 semesters), if suggested full-time course sequence is followed

Contact: 434.797.8402 or 434.797.8462
Award: Associate of Applied Science
Plan Code: 636 CIP Code: 19.0709

This degree is the third step in a stackable path for Early Childhood Educators. This program prepares students to work with children from birth to age 8 using developmentally appropriate practices documented by Virginia Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. Coursework includes child education, behavior management, methods of teaching children, general education, and electives. Instruction will include both theoretical concepts and practical applications needed to provide high-quality services for children. The degree is primarily designed to prepare graduates for immediate employment after completion of DCC studies or to enable a student to seamlessly transfer to a four-year bachelor’s degree program in Early Childhood Education and teacher licensure Pre K-3.Please see the program coordinator for a list of Virginia Public Institutions that accept this degree for licensure and their criteria.

Scholarships are available for this program, including the Virginia Child Care Providers scholarship, and the Project Pathfinders Scholarship.

Instructional Delivery: About 2/3 of program courses are offered online or as hybrid courses to accommodate working professionals.

Program Requirements:

The Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education prepares students to work with children from birth to age 8 using developmentally appropriate practices documented by Virginia Competencies for Early Childhood Professionals. Coursework includes child education, behavior management, methods of teaching children, general education and electives. Instruction will include both theoretical concepts and practical applications needed to provide high-quality services for children. This program is designed primarily to prepare graduates for immediate employment after graduation. However, several adjustments in program schedules are available to enable a student to prepare for transfer to a baccalaureate degree program in Early Childhood Education.

Admission Requirements: In addition to regular college admission requirements, program entry requires a personal interview with the Early Childhood Education Department, as well as meeting the following criteria:

1. Excellent moral character is generally considered prerequisite for employment.
2. Upon program entrance, the student will be responsible for obtaining and paying for a criminal background check and show a negative TB test.
3. Students must possess sufficient physical strength, flexibility and dexterity to perform education and care routines for children.

The Early Childhood Department has made a commitment to the NAEYC Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education.
https://www.naeyc.org/sites/default/files/globally-shared/downloads/PDFs/resources/position-statements/Ethics%20Position%20Statement2011_09202013update.pdf

ACCREDITATION INFORMATION

The A.A.S. Early Childhood Education degree at Danville Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children.  The current accreditation term runs from March 2023 through March 2025.

 

Program Outcomes: Graduates will be able to:

• Adhere to Virginia’s Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers in the planning and evaluation of classroom and learning environments to ensure the health, safety and nutrition of children.
• Design and implement developmentally appropriate curriculum plans, to include learning activities and environments for children.
• Engage in and support diverse family and community relationships to build enriching and effective partnerships for children.
• Observe, document and assess progress to promote positive outcomes for all children.
• Engage with peers and community partners in the early childhood profession through collaborative learning and informed advocacy for young children.

Number of Program Completers

Academic Year	Number of Program Completers	% of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion)	% of program completers who were attending part-time (at the time of completion)
2021-2022	10	30	70
2020-2021	15	40	60
2019-2020	8	32.5	62.5

Program Completion Rate

Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time candidates enrolled in the program	Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe	Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 200% (twice) of the published timeframe
2021-2022	70	90
2020-2021	94	100
2019-2020	100	100

Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate

Academic Year	% of Part-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)	Retention Rate among Part-Time Candidates	% of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)	Retention Rate among Full-Time Candidates
2021-2022	11	0	89	37.5
2020-2021	50	30.8	50	38.5
2019-2020	66.7	41.7	33.3	66.7