Piedmont Technical College

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Students in Early Childhood Development receive a comprehensive understanding of the needs of young children and are trained to implement quality preschool programming.

Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in all coursework with a prefix of ECD. They will learn growth and development principles, teaching methods, understanding and working with special needs children, safety, first aid, CPR training, discipline techniques and methods for working effectively with parents. Students prepare for the job market by participating in developmentally-appropriate practices in language arts, creative experiences, math and science concepts. Students may choose either day or evening courses. Students are required to have an acceptable criminal background check and drug screening to complete ECD 243. A criminal record could make you ineligible for enrollment or participation in ECD 243, creating an inability to graduate from the program. This program meets ECE TEACH Credential and Headstart CDA requirements.

Program Location: Greenwood, Laurens County, Newberry

Contact Information: Ashley Hollingsworth

Required Courses

Additional Program Information

Day or Evening Program

Updated 4/18/2012

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Purpose Statement  – The mission of the Early Care and Education Program of Piedmont Technical College is to provide the community with professional early educators who are knowledgeable, competent, committed and capable of providing quality professional care for all children. The program’s graduates are able to evaluate and assess children and make quality developmentally appropriate decisions for children’s learning. Through the extensive study of NAEYC standards and the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct our students are provided the knowledge needed to support advocacy for children and the profession of early educators. 

Student Learning Outcomes: aligned to NAEYC Program Standards:

Promoting Child Development and Learning

1a: Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs

1b: Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on development and learning

1c: Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments

Building Family and Community Relationships

2a: Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics

2b: Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships

2c: Involving families and communities in their children’s development and learning

Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families

3a: Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment

3b: Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches

3c: Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child

3d: Knowing about assessment partnerships with families and with professional colleagues

Using Developmentally Effective Approaches to Connect with Children and Families

4a: Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with children

4b: Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education

4c: Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches

4d: Reflecting on their own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child

Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum

5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines

5b: Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines

5c: Using their own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate meaningful, challenging curricula for each child.

Becoming a Professional

6a: Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field

6b: Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other professional guidelines

6c: Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice

6d: Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education

6e: Engaging in informed advocacy for children and the profession 5a: Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines

Gainful Employment Information

Advisement Information for ECD Certificate and Infant and Toddler Certificate

• This program is primarily offered on the Greenwood campus; however, it can be completed from county campuses over a longer period of time.

• Students must complete developmental English and reading coursework (100 levels) prior to ECD coursework, if test scores indicate remedial work needed. Even though English is not required for the certificate, student must have the test scores or complete developmental coursework before enrolling in ECD courses.

• Students in Early Care and Education programs are required to have a criminal background check and a urine drug screen test before placement in field experience classes: ECD 243, ECD 244 and ECD 251. In addition, some child development centers and schools may require a TB tine test.

• Students will be required to complete a CPR and First Aid course while enrolled in ECD 135. This training has a cost associated with it.

• After completing the Early Childhood Development certificate, students may earn an Associate in Applied Science with a major in Early Care and Education by successfully completing the following courses: ENG 101, MAT 123, CPT 101, PSY 201, ECD 108, ECD 201, ECD 237, ECD 244, SPC 205, a humanities/fine arts elective, and two electives chosen from ECD courses.

• After completing the Infant/Toddler certificate, students may earn an Associate in Applied Science with a major in Early Care and Education by completing the following: CPT 101, ENG 101, MAT 123, PSY 201, SPC 205, ECD 244, a humanities/fine arts elective, and two electives chosen from ECD courses.

Advisement Information updated 9/7/2011