Early Childhood Education

Learn to become a professional in early childhood education!

The Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Professional Certification (ECPC) Program prepares students for employment within the industry as early childhood educators, lead preschool teachers, VPK teachers, before-care/after-care workers and supervisors, child development specialists, directors/owners, and family day care home operators. Included are the following major areas of training: child growth and development; health; safety; nutrition; behavior guidance techniques; child abuse and neglect; rules and regulations governing child care; community and environmental issues; language development and emergent literacy; lesson and program planning; implementation of developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age eight; inclusion of children with special needs; interpersonal relations; communication; balancing family, school and work; employability skills; labor issues; entrepreneurship; and management and finance. Early Childhood Education is a Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) program. The ECPC is accepted for the Department of Children and Families Staff Credential. Students who complete the ECE/ECPC program are prepared to pursue the national CDA credential and are also eligible for nine (9) college credits at any state public university.

Additional Skills Covered:

• Child growth and development
• Health, safety and nutrition
• Behavior guidance techniques
• Child abuse and neglect
• Rules and regulations governing child care
• Community and environmental issues
• Lesson and program planning
• Inclusion of children with special needs
• Balancing family, school and work
• Employability skills
• Implementation of developmentally
  appropriate practices for children birth
  through age eight
• Language development and emergent literacy

Industry Certification & State Credential Exams

Students will be prepared to take an approved state and/or nationally recognized industry certification or licensure exam in their field of study.

College Credit Transfer Opportunity and/orAdvanced Credit

Upon completion of the program and meeting eligibility requirements, including the attainment of an aligned industry credential, students may be awarded credits toward an Associate Degree by Broward College or the Florida College System. Students must enroll in Broward College within 2 years of completing their program at Sheridan Technical College. Additional college credit may be awarded with the attainment of additional industry credentials.

Job Outlook in the Ft. Lauderdale area:

• Demand for Childcare Workers is expected to grow about 14% between 2017 and 2022.
• Entry level wages are about $13/hour. Actual wages vary according to education, experience and certifications.
  * Bureau of Labor Statistics

Get Started on your Career Plan Today!

Easy As 1-2-3

Step 1⇒ Attend a Program Orientation

Step 2 ⇒ Take the Tests of Adult Basic Education or meet exemption criteria

• See your counselor/advisor for details on test exemption criteria.
• Accommodations for testing are available to qualified individuals.
• Visit the Office of Disability Services for details before testing.

Step 3 ⇒ Meet with your counselor/advisor

• Receive test results
• Discuss technical or academic program placement
• Special needs
• Financial aid
• Registration procedures

Enroll in our Early Childhood Education/Early Childhood Professional Certification (ECPC) program today.

For more information on program cost, schedule, content, and admission requirements, see the program flyer or contact the counselor at: [email protected]
754-321-5445