Graduates completing the degree in Early Care and Education will receive comprehensive training of the necessary skills and responsibilities for implementing quality preschool programming.
The course work will provide students the opportunity to develop an understanding of young children's social, emotional, and mental development. This program is designed to prepare future employees as well as enhance the skills of those already working in childcare settings. Completion of this degree will qualify students for entry level positions in early childhood settings that serve children, birth to 8, and their families.
Graduates in this field may be required to:
plan and prepare a lesson plan
implement the activities of a lesson plan
provide for the physical needs of children and perform routine functions for children, such as feeding, diapering, etc.
communicate with parents, staff and children
provide for the social / emotional needs of children
maintain an appropriate classroom management
supervise and guide groups of children
provide for the safety of groups of children
follow a routine of schedules activities for groups of children
implement emergency procedures and administer first aid, including CPR
Graduates in this field commonly experience:
both inside and outside school environment
bright and cheerful classrooms
noisy (young children!)
work in cooperation with others
work under direct supervision
possibly some travel transporting children
The position of childcare attendant has been given a strength rating of medium by the U.S. Dictionary of Occupational titles. Included in the physical requirements are the handling, lifting, carrying, and positioning of children manually into strollers, walkers, moveable cribs, high chairs, infant seats, and infant swings. When performing these functions, weight will vary according to the age and weight of each child. Positions also include intermittent sitting in adult and child size chairs, sitting on the floor and rising from the floor, standing, walking, possibly running, frequent reaching and lifting, carrying, and bending, and possible use of an exposure to antibacterial cleaning solutions, and exposure to weather elements. Both hands are used to handle children and objects. Use of booth feet is required to move children and objects.
The student must undergo a South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division records check, provide a current TB test results, complete a Department of Social Services letter of non-conviction form and undergo a health assessment when entering the Early Childhood Development program.
Graduates in this field should have:
excellent oral communication skills
good written communication skills
ability to work cooperatively with children and adults
ability to work well with children of different ability levels
ability to work well with children
ability to follow directions / "catch on" quickly
ability to explain concepts
positive attitude
patience, consistency and sensitivity to others' feeling
ability to be responsible and dependable
good motor coordination (hand / eye coordination, swift and accurate movements, finger / manual dexterity)
good social skills (interact with people)
ability to change from one task to another without loss of composure or effectiveness
ability to set limits and enforce them (discipline)
self-discipline / self-motivation
ability to make generalizations, evaluations, decisions
have patience
have compassion
mature judgment
a sense of humor
love children
Graduates in this field can expect the following developments:
Salary average: $17,650.00 for 2008-2010 graduates
Salary range: $13,000-25,000 per year for 2008-2010 graduates
71% placement rate for 2008-2010 graduates
further education leads to employment advancement
Entry level positions: teacher's assistant, teacher or associate teacher in child development, child care giver, director of day care center
Recent graduates have found work at:
ABC Academy
Angels Child Developement Center
Creative Kids
Dowd's Child Care
Kiddy Korner
Kids Under Construction
Kid's Korner
Lifelong Learning
Little Angels Daycare
Little Folks Childcare
Little Lamb Daycare
Millie's House Childcare
Pooh's Corner Daycare
Sunshine Barn Daycare
The Children's Garden
Young World