Early Childhood Education and Care

Student Handbook

A hundred years from nowIt will not matter What my bank account held, The kind of house I owned, The kind of car I drove, But, the world will be different Because I was important in the life of a child
Author Unknown

Introduction
The faculty and staff of the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) program welcome you to College of DuPage! The faculty and staff are eager to work with you as you begin the exciting and enriching study of children and families. Our goal is to help you achieve a professional level of understanding and skill in the field of Early Childhood Education and Care. This handbook is designed for beginning or continuing students in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) program at C.O.D. The materials here were developed to provide you with a complete overview of our program procedures, courses and requirements.

Where is the program located?

Early Childhood Education and Care faculty offices and ECEC classes are in the EC Center on the west side of campus. The Louise M. Beem Early Childhood Education and Care Demonstration Center, the laboratory for the school for the ECEC program, is also located in the EC Center, a new state of the art building on the west side of Lambert Road.

The Louise M. Beem Early Childhood Education and Care Demonstration Center
The ECEC Demonstration center is made up of 5 classrooms (toddlers), (Part-Time Preschool), (Younger Full-Time Preschool), (Older Full-Time Preschool) (Kindergarten). These programs provide developmentally appropriate models of early education and care to help students learn best practices in the field. Each of the four rooms is staffed by lead teachers and teachers. Students in ECEC 1100, 1102 and 2220 will be assigned to a specific room for their lab assignments. Students in other ECEC courses are also welcome to use the Demonstration Center for class assignments and will receive specific guidelines from the course instructor.

Advising
The best way to learn more about courses and ways to plan your individual learning program is to meet with a faculty adviser. Each of the Early Childhood Education and Care faculty members serves as a faculty adviser and can answer questions about courses to take, ways to register for classes, and graduation requirements. Group advising may be done in ECEC classes but, in order to plan an individual course of study, an appointment with an ECEC faculty adviser is recommended. It is up to the student to contact an ECEC faculty advisor and set up an appointment. Faculty office hours are posted outside their offices. Location EC 1001 EC 1002 ECEC 1003 Phone Last Name (630) 942-2704 A H (630) 942-3419 I P (630) 942-2388 A Z

Diane Kubetz, Coordinator E-mail: kubetz@cod.edu Sarah Patton E-mail: patton@cod.edu Cynthia Rice E-mail: ricecyn@cod.edu

For general academic information and materials, contact Counseling and Advising Services, Instructional Center (IC), Room 2010, (630) 942-2259.

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Louise M. Beem ECEC Demonstration Center Staff

Marsha Pobst, Center Manager Michelle Barton, Kindergarten Teacher Lisa Bauer, Teacher Janice Cagle, Kitchen Staff Kayla Chepyator Phyllis Cirella, Lead Teacher Janis Ditchfield, Kitchen Staff Michelle Grandaw Anita Leonard Barb LoCicero, Teacher Jo-Ann Mazliach, Lead Teacher Allie Morales Donna Mueller, Lead Teacher Nancy Schwider, Master Teacher Karen Shreve, Lead Teacher Vicki Wakely Susan Wilson Amber Wirtz EC 1030 EC 1012 EC 1016 EC 1022 EC 1018 EC 1016 EC 1022 EC 1010 EC 1010 EC 1014 EC 1014 EC 1012 EC 1016 EC 1010 EC 1014 EC 1016 EC 1018 EC 1018 (630) 942-4223

ECEC Career Options

The mission of the ECEC program is to prepare students for direct entry into early childhood education and care occupations with young children and their families and/or transfer to a baccalaureate-granting institution. The program may also be a valuable course of study for students planning to work with young children in other disciplines such as education or health, or for parents or prospective parents.

Career Opportunities
The field of early childhood education and care is stimulating, challenging, and rewarding! Students who enroll in the ECEC program have many opportunities to develop insights and understanding about themselves and about young children and families.

Settings for Careers in ECEC

ECEC graduates have found employment in these types of programs: Preschools Head Start Centers Child care centers Family child care homes Infant/toddler programs School-age child care programs Park district recreation programs Public school classrooms as aide (Preschool-Third Grade) Child Care Resource and Referral Childrens museums

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Career Options with an A.A.S Degree

A person studying early childhood education can earn a degree at an associates (two-year), bachelors (4-year), masters or doctoral (graduate) degree levels. The ECEC program at C.O.D. offers an associates degree (A.A.S. Associate in Applied Science) as well as certificates. From entry level through advanced graduate degrees, there are many career options with this type of training, especially if a student completes elective courses in areas such as business, education, human services, psychology, sociology, and computer science. There is a growing need for bilingual early childhood education specialists; learning a second language such as Spanish is desirable. Listed below are the career opportunities with an A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and Care: Assistant Teacher Works directly with children and families under the supervision of a Lead Teacher in child care centers and preschools, recreation facilities, school age child care programs, private and public school pre-kindergarten programs, and Head Start programs. Works directly with children and families in child care centers and preschools, recreation facilities, school-age child care programs, and Head Start programs. Works directly with children and families in a Home Administrates a child care, preschool, or Recreation

Teacher

Family child care provider

Director/Assistant Director

Other Career Options

Other career possibilities in ECEC which require at least a bachelors degree and usually an Illinois State Board of Education Teaching certificate include: Teacher, state-sponsored pre-kindergarten program Birth to third grade (Type 04 Teaching Certificate) Teacher, kindergarten to third grade (Type 03 Teaching Certificate) Teacher, high school (Family Consumer Science-Child Development) Child life specialist (working with children and families in a hospital)

Additional careers that require specialized knowledge and skills in early childhood education and care and usually education beyond the associates degree level include: Parent education specialist Social service coordinator Early childhood education specialist (at child care/child welfare agencies) Facilitator at childrens museums Early childhood education consultant

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Finally, the study of early childhood education and care can be beneficial for those who may choose to work with children in related professions such as: Nursing Speech-Language Pathology Occupational Therapy Social Work Physical Therapy

Employment Listings
Current early childhood education and care employment opportunities are posted in the student lounge area of the EC Center. The C.O.D. Career Services Center, Student Resource Center (SRC), Room 1490, provides employment services for students. Another way to look for employment is looking in the classified section of the student newspaper, the Courier, which is published every Friday during the school year. You might also want to check the classified section of your local newspaper.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE COURSES

Finding ECEC Courses

The C.O.D. Class Schedule is available in hard copy and on the C.O.D. web site. The list of courses, schedules, and registration information is available to students. Hard copies of the Class Schedule are located in Admissions, Registration, Counseling and Advising offices, and other locations on campus. For a listing of ECEC courses look under the heading Early Childhood Education and Care. You will see the words 2 Hrs. Lab TBA under the ECEC course listings. This means that the lab hours for the course are to be arranged by the student. For example, ECEC 1101, Growth and Development of the Young Child, usually meets two class hours per week and also requires two hours per week of a laboratory experience (2 Hrs. TBA). The laboratory hours are arranged by the student to fit his/her schedule and will be explained by the instructor. Two classes, ECEC 1100, Introduction to ECEC, and ECEC 1102, Child Guidance Practices, require that the laboratory hours be completed in the colleges ECEC Demonstration Center. Different lab sections and times are listed in the Class Schedule, along with the class meeting time for these courses. When registering for ECEC 1100 or 1102, register using the 5-digit registration code for the lab section time that best fits your schedule. ECEC 1100 and ECEC 1101 can also be taken as independent learning courses in the Center for Independent Learning (CIL) and ECEC 1101 and ECEC 2211 and can also be taken online.

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What are ECEC Courses Like?

ECEC classes include a combination lecture, audio-visual presentations, demonstrations, large and small group discussions, and hands-on exploration of materials and equipment. Some classes, such as ECEC 1100, Introduction to ECEC, and ECEC 1101, Growth and Development of the Child, are organized around lectures, videos, class discussions, and laboratory assignments that include observing children and early childhood programs. Other classes, such as ECEC 1130, 1140, 1151 and 2251, the curriculum methods courses, include demonstrations of materials and equipment and hands-on activities during and outside of class. Because ECEC faculty recognize that people learn in many different ways, the ECEC classes are set up to provide visual, auditory, kinesthetic and tactile learning experiences that help meet individual learning needs and styles. If you have special learning needs, let the instructor know at the beginning of the course so that accommodations can be arranged.

Laboratory Hours
Every ECEC course involves a minimum of two (2) lab hours or 100 minutes of lab time per week in addition to class time. The purpose of the laboratory experiences is to provide students with opportunities to apply the skills and knowledge in a real-world setting thereby enriching learning. During your lab hours, you observe and/or participate in early childhood education programs or in other situations involving young children and their families. The details of the lab assignments are explained by each instructor at the beginning of each course. Students are required to complete their lab assignments in the C.O.D. Demonstration Center for ECEC 1100, 1102 and 2220. Lab work for other courses can be done in the C.O.D. Demonstration Center or in other early childhood education and care programs and settings. A documentation form is distributed to students at the beginning of the term for each ECEC course and must be filled out each week to indicate completion of the weekly lab hours. These forms are turned in to the instructor at the end of the term. It is the students responsibility to keep a copy of the form(s) in case they are needed in the future.

Practicum Experience (Student Teaching)

The ECEC Practicum course, ECEC 2220, is the most important experience in your preparation as an early childhood education and care professional. This capstone course gives students the opportunity to use the theories, principles, skills, concepts and best practices that they have learned in their coursework. The highlight of the practicum for most students is when they step into the role of lead teacher. The practicum involves working in the Demonstration Center during these hours: Mornings: Afternoon: Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, 2 to 6 p.m.

ECEC Courses and DCFS Requirements

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) sets specific minimum requirements for all child care staff who work in licensed child care centers and preschools. Earning the A.A.S. degree in Early Childhood Education and Care at C.O.D. will qualify you according to DCFS as both a teacher and as a director. However, some centers may require additional education and/or training beyond the minimum staff requirements of DCFS.

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DCFS Required Qualifications Director

21 years of age High school diploma or equivalency certificate and 60 semester credit hours (90 quarter credit hours) with 18 semester credit hours (27 quarter credit hours) of early childhood/child care/ child development courses

OR
Two years of child care center experience (3,120 clock hours), 30 semester credit hours (45 quarter credit hours) in early childhood/child care/child development courses, and proof or enrollment in college/university until 60 semester credit hours (90 quarter college hours) of credit is earned with 18 semester (27 quarter credit hours) in early childhood/child care/child development courses

OR
Completion of approved credentialing programs approved by DCFS

Teacher
19 years of age High school diploma or equivalency certificate and sixty semester credit hours (90 quarter credit hours) with 6 semester credit hours (9 quarter credit hours) of early childhood/child care/child development courses

OR
One year of child care center experience (1,560 clock hours) and 30 semester credit hours (45 quarter credit hours) with 6 semester credit (9 quarter credit hours) of early childhood/child care/child development courses

OR
Completion of approved credentialing programs approved by DCFS

Assistant Teacher
High school diploma or equivalency certificate

Family Child Care Caregiver Qualifications: Day Care Home

At least 18 years of age

Group Day Care Home

At least 21 years of age High school diploma or equivalency certificate, one year child development experience, six college semester credit hours in child care/development

OR
CDA certificate and six clock hours of continuing education in child care/development annually

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Professional Activities
You are encouraged to join the DuPage Association for the Education of Young Children (DuPage AEYC). DuPage AEYC is a non-profit organization of early childhood education professionals and is affiliated with the National Association for the Education of Young Children or NAEYC, which has nearly 102,000 members and a national network of more than 400 affiliates. When you join DuPage AEYC, you receive the professional journal, Young Children, newsletters, brochures and other information that keeps you informed about early childhood research, practices, policies and advocacy efforts. The membership year is from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. Each year, DuPage AEYC also honors outstanding early childhood professionals who have made significant contributions to the care and education of young children in DuPage County. For DuPage AEYC membership information, contact an ECEC faculty member.

Louise M. Beem Scholarship

The Louise M. Beem scholarship, named for the first coordinator of the Early Childhood Education and Care program, is given to a student who demonstrates effort and achievement in pursuit of their education in early childhood education and care at C.O.D. The DuPage AEYC award includes a scholarship of $500 toward tuition for early childhood education and care classes at C.O.D. The application deadline for the scholarship is April 1. Application forms are available from any of the ECEC faculty. Other scholarships and financial aid programs are available in the Financial Aid office, SRC 2050, 942-2251.

Petition for Graduation

Students should petition for graduation at least one semester before their planned date of graduation. To petition for graduation, go to the Records office, SRC 2015, and file a Petition for Degree form. The Records office will then notify the students about whether graduation requirements have been met.

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Recommended General Education Courses for Early Childhood Education and Care Students 1) Communications: English 1101 English Composition 1 Speech 1100 Fundamentals of Speech Communication Mathematics: (Select one course) Mathematics 1100 Business Mathematics Social-Behavioral Sciences: (Select one course) Psychology 1100 Introduction to Psychology Humanities: (Select one course) Select by personal interest from list of Humanities Course for A.A.S. degree Science (Select one course with lab) Biology 1110 Environmental Biology Contemporary Life Skills ECEC 1100 Parenting of the Young Child

2)

3)

4)

5) 6)

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