2024-2025 College Catalog

Early Childhood Care and Education Basics TCC

Early Childhood Care and Education Basics TCC (Major Code: EC31)

Program Description

The Early Childhood Care and Education Diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as limited general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including childcare centers, Head start, and Georgia Pre–K programs.

This Program is Not Available for Financial AId.

Career Information

Occupation

Childcare Workers

Career Projections

The number of jobs in this field is expected to increase by 9% nationally and 11% in the State of Georgia over the next several years. Estimated salaries in this field start at $18,000 a year.
Labor market data was compiled using Economic Modeling Specialists, international and is updated annually.

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Admission Requirements

General College Admissions Requirements

 

Program Specific Admissions Requirement

Criminal Background Check: All Early Childhood Care and Education students are required to submit a completed state and federal criminal records background check prior to registering for Practicum and Internship courses. The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense, or of neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense or any other "covered crime" will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with the department chair. Because your employment options may be severely limited in the early childhood profession, a person who has received an unsatisfactory criminal records check is discouraged from pursuing the ECCE program of study and may need to reconsider their chosen field of study. Students will not be allowed to take ECCE 1121 and ECCE 2245/2246, if their criminal history/arrest record request form (from any police department in the state of Georgia or federal background check) comes back with an arrest history.

*To be employed in childcare centers, public schools, or Head Start centers, an individual must have a satisfactory criminal record check. Persons who have been convicted of a felony offense are not employable in the childcare field. Evidence of a current satisfactory criminal record background check is required at the student's expense prior to participation in practicum or internship.

Blood and Airborne Pathogens

Students enrolled in Category I and II programs at Atlanta Technical College will be performing tasks in which there is a normal occurrence for exposure to blood, other potentially infectious body materials, and airborne pathogens.

These tasks will be performed in the classroom, laboratory, and clinical activities for each occupational training program/course. Students will be required to present documentation of Hepatitis B and Tuberculosis immunizations as a result of potential occupational exposure. Students should contact their program directors for more information. Policies and procedures regarding blood and airborne pathogens may be reviewed at https://tcsg.edu/tcsgpolicy/tcsg_policy_manual.pdf.

Program Contact Information

Sharron McIntyre

Program Chair, Early Childhood

Academic Building C1109D

smcintyre@atlantatech.edu

404-225-4580

 

Jim Gale

Instructor, Early Childhood

Academic Building C1109E

jgale@atlantatech.edu

404-225-4440

 

Nan Walker

Instructor, Early Childhood

Academic Building C1109F

nwalker@atlantatech.edu

404-225-4633

Program Length and Cost

Minimum Program Length in Semester Terms: 1 term
Program Credit Hours: 10
Estimated Program Cost: $1,942

Required Courses

Occupational Courses - (10 Credits)

ECCE 1101Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education

3

ECCE 1103Child Growth and Development

3

ECCE 1106Health, Safety and Nutrition

4

Total Credit Hours: 10

Program Outcomes

1. Graduates will be able to identify and understand professional codes and ethical conduct appropriate in Early Childhood Care and Education
2. Graduates will be able to identify and apply individual and group guidance and problem solving techniques which encourage and teach positive social skills and interaction among children
3. Graduates will be able to develop appropriate curricula, instructional practices, and assessment strategies for early childhood care and education programs
4. Graduates will be able to identify, practice, and promote a well-organized, developmentally appropriate learning environment and life skills
5. Graduates will be able to identify and practice a safe physical, psychological, and healthy learning environment that promotes development, learning, cultural diversity, and inclusion.