Early Childhood Education

Associate in Applied Science Degree

This two-year program leads to an Associate in Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education. The curriculum provides students with the background in early childhood and general studies necessary for a career in early childhood education. Graduates will be prepared for positions as family child care providers, teachers, and directors in child care centers, family group homes, Head Start programs and after school programs. The degree also prepares students for teacher’s aides positions in public school classrooms and in special education programs. Additionally, this degree meets the requirements for Gateways to Opportunities Early Childhood Credential Level 4.

PLAN YOUR AAS DEGREE in Early Childhood Education contact an advisor

Courses

Course Schedule
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1207 - Language Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1204 - Creative Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1206 - Curriculum for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1209 - Curriculum Lab	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1210 - Child Study and Observation	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2203 - Science and Math for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2206 - Program. / Teach. Infants and Toddlers I	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2207 - Child Guidance	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2208 - Teaching the Child with Disabilities	3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I	3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math or MATH 1202 - Business Math	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	18 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ART 1101 - Art Appreciation	3 Cr. Hrs.
CSCI 1102 - Introduction to Computers w/ Bus. Applications	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2202 - Center-Based Child Care Management	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2205 - Programming / Teaching School-Age	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2209 - Practicum	4 Cr. Hrs.
Total	16 Cr. Hrs.

Costs & How To Pay

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Payments on student accounts must be made by the deadline included on the student statement.

Fall: July 15
Spring: December 15
Summer: May 15

Students who do not make payments by this deadline may be dropped from their classes.

More about paying for college

Practical Training

Students in the Early Childhood Education program receive practical training in the on-campus RLC Foundation Children’s Center. Students learn from interaction with infants, toddlers, preschool, and school-age children. Classes cover specific competencies and provide training in:

Emerging Curriculum
Reggio Emelia Project Approach
Learning Centers
Computers with Children
Naturalistic Observation
Critical Thinking Development for Young Children

The RLC Foundation Children’s Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. This honor has become a widely recognized sign of high quality in early childhood education programs. The RLCF Children’s Center is regarded as one of the best in Southern Illinois and the nation, so practical training here provides a tremendous value.

Child Development Associate

Based upon recommendation by the Illinois Community College Board, Rend Lake College awards credits to those students who have obtained a Child Development Associate credential. A student must present the proper documentation of an active Child Development Associate Credential to the Registrar. The Child Development Associate Credential is based upon a core set of competency standards which are aligned with the following courses for which a student will receive credit.

Program Outcomes

1. Apply practical training to the care and education of young children.

2. Develop age-appropriate learning opportunities for children ages birth - eight.

3. Demonstrate competence with children from an early childhood environment.

4. Apply a sound Early Childhood Education research-based component in professional communications.

5. Develop, articulate and write their personal perspective on early childhood education.

Early Childhood Education

This one-year certificate provides students with a background in Early Childhood Education courses. Courses in this two-semester certificate align with the associate degree program to promote a seamless transition into the Associate in Applied Science Degree

Plan Your Early Childhood Education Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 30 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1207 - Language Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1204 - Creative Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1206 - Curriculum for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1209 - Curriculum Lab	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1210 - Child Study and Observation	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2203 - Science and Math for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Assistant

These foundation courses provide the student with basic knowledge needed for entry-level positions in the field of early childhood education.

Plan Your Early Childhood Assistant Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 6 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Level Two

The Level Two Certificate is designed to lead the early childhood professional to a Level Two Early Childhood Credential through Illinois Gateways to Opportunity. The certificate fulfills the coursework requirements. The student must submit required documentation and fee associated with this credential to Illinois Gateways to Opportunity.

Plan Your Early Childhood Level Two Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 12 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Level Three

The Level Three Certificate is designed to lead the early childhood professional to a Level Three Early Childhood Credential through Illinois Gateways to Opportunity. The certificate fulfills the coursework requirements. The student must submit required documentation and fee associated with this credential to Illinois Gateways to Opportunity.

Plan Your Early Childhood Level Three Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 30 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	12 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1206 - Curriculum for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1209 - Curriculum Lab	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1210 - Child Study and Observation	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	9 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 1	3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math 1 or MATH 1202 - Business Math 1	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	9 Cr. Hrs.

Technical Assistance Credential

The Gateways Technical Assistance (TA) Credential is a credential that is cross-sector and includes all aspects of coaching, mentoring, and relationship-based professional development. The TA Credential is a symbol of professional achievement which validates the knowledge and skills, experience, and contributions required to a variety of roles that relate to relationship-based professional development in Early Childhood Education. The roles include mentor/consultant in early education and/or school-age practitioners, evidence-based practices coach, professional needs assessor, and supporter of the development needs of children. The certificate coursework encompasses the appropriate topics required by Gateways to ensure alignment to the credentialing standards.

Plan Your Technical Assistance Credential Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 16 Hours
Prerequisites
ENGL 1101 – Rhetoric & Composition I (or concurrent enrollment)	3 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2202 - Center-Based Child Care Management	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2209 - Practicum	4 Cr. Hrs.
MGMT 2201 - Principles of Management	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	16 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Education

Plan Your Early Childhood Education Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 30 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1207 - Language Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1204 - Creative Arts for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1206 - Curriculum for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1209 - Curriculum Lab	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1210 - Child Study and Observation	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2203 - Science and Math for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	15 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Assistant

These foundation courses provide the student with basic knowledge needed for entry-level positions in the field of early childhood education.

Plan Your Early Childhood Assistant Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 6 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Level Two

Plan Your Early Childhood Level Two Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 12 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	6 Cr. Hrs.

Early Childhood Level Three

Plan Your Early Childhood Level Three Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 30 Hours
Fall Semester
ECE 1201 - Child Development	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1202 - Intro to Early Childhood Education	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1205 - Health, Safety and Nutrition	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	12 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
ECE 1206 - Curriculum for Young Children	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1209 - Curriculum Lab	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1210 - Child Study and Observation	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	9 Cr. Hrs.
Fall Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
ENGL 1101 - Rhetoric and Composition I 1	3 Cr. Hrs.
MATH 1107 - Contemporary College Math 1 or MATH 1202 - Business Math 1	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	9 Cr. Hrs.

Technical Assistance Credential

Plan Your Technical Assistance Credential Certificate

Costs for this program

Tuition & Fees at RLC

Total = 16 Hours
Prerequisites
ENGL 1101 – Rhetoric & Composition I (or concurrent enrollment)	3 Cr. Hrs.
Spring Semester
COMM 1101 - Principles of Effective Speaking	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 1208 - Family / Community / Staff Relations	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2202 - Center-Based Child Care Management	3 Cr. Hrs.
ECE 2209 - Practicum	4 Cr. Hrs.
MGMT 2201 - Principles of Management	3 Cr. Hrs.
Total	16 Cr. Hrs.

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Transfer Information

Students who graduate with an Associate Degree can transfer their credits to a university and pursue a Bachelor's degree and beyond.

Articulation agreements - also known as Transfer Guides - document the pathway between RLC and the university. Historically, RLC has built articulation agreements with midwestern universities. However, students have worked with both institutions to build a pathway.

View our transfer guides and more about articulation agreements

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Transfer Guides

We have guides that document a pathway between your degree at RLC and many universities.

Accreditation

Quality Education. Guaranteed.

Since 1969, Rend Lake College has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), one of six regional accreditors in the United States. Accreditation is vital to what we do. It serves as a measure of quality, allows us to access and distribute federal student aid, facilitates the transfer of classes between institutions and more. The Higher Learning Commission is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

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Early Childhood Education

Associate in Applied Science Degree

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Certificates

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Assistant

Early Childhood Level Two

Early Childhood Level Three

Technical Assistance Credential

Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Assistant

Early Childhood Level Two

Early Childhood Level Three

Technical Assistance Credential

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