Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
The Early Childhood Education program at Cincinnati State prepares graduates for employment in a variety of early childhood settings. Students who complete the program earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, and are eligible to apply for the Pre-Kindergarten Associate Teacher License offered by the Ohio Department of Education.
The William L. Mallory Early Learning Center on the Cincinnati State Clifton Campus provides outstanding childcare and also serves as a learning lab for students earning the Early Childhood Education degree.
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program are prepared to move directly into related employment opportunities or to transfer to a bachelor’s degree program in a related field.
The Early Childhood Education associate's degree program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children's (NAEYC) Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Education Programs.
For more information, please contact the Humanities and Sciences Division at (513) 569-1700.
To apply for this program at Cincinnati State, visit the Admissions section of the College website.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
| Semester 1 | Lec | Lab | Credits | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENG 101 | English Composition 1 ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| FYE 1XX First Year Experience Elective (B) | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| MAT XXX Math Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| EDU 105 | Introduction to Education ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 145 | The Developing Child ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| PSY 110 | Introduction to Psychology ( G) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester 2 | ||||
| ECE 160 | Assessment and Observation in Early Childhood Education ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 180 | Infant and Toddler Environments ( T) | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ECE 155 | Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Childhood ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 175 | Family, Community, and Schools ( B) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU 110 | Educational Technology ( T) | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Semester 3 | ||||
| ECE 185 | Creative Learning Environments ( T) | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ECE 215 | Classroom Management and Guidance ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 220 | Preschool and School Age Environments ( T) | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| ECE 165 | Emergent Literacy ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG 10X English Composition Elective (G) | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester 4 | ||||
| EDU 210 | Learning in Childhood ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 230 | Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE 290 | Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education ( T) | 1 | 14 | 3 |
| EDU 200 | Individuals with Exceptionalities ( T) | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| XXX XXX Science Elective (G) | 3 | 2 | 4 | |
| Total Credits: | 59 | 24 | 65 | |
Electives
| First Year Experience Elective | ||
| FYE 100 | College Survival Skills | 1 |
| FYE 105 | College Success Strategies | 2 |
| FYE 110 | Community College Experience | 3 |
| English Composition Elective | ||
| ENG 102 | English Composition 2: Contemporary Issues | 3 |
| ENG 103 | English Composition 2: Writing about Literature | 3 |
| Math Elective | ||
| MAT 105 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 |
| MAT 111 | Business Mathematics | 3 |
| Science Elective | ||
| BIO 111 | Biology: Unity of Life | 4 |
| EVS 110 | Environmental Science: Conservation and Cleanup | 4 |
| EVS 120 | Environmental Geology | 4 |
| EVS 130 | Environmental Science: Ecology and Ecosystems | 4 |
| PSC 105 | Astronomy | 4 |
| PSC 110 | Earth Science | 4 |
The letters G, B, and T (displayed after course titles or elective descriptions) identify types of courses required by the Ohio Department of Higher Education as part of an associate’s degree curriculum.
G = General Education course in this curriculum
B = Basic Skills course in this curriculum
T = Technical course in this curriculum
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
- Promoting Child Development and Learning
- Knowing and understanding young children’s characteristics and needs, from birth through age 8.
- Knowing and understanding the multiple influences on early development and learning.
- Using developmental knowledge to create healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging learning environments for young children.
- Building Family and Community Relationships
- Knowing about and understanding diverse family and community characteristics.
- Supporting and engaging families and communities through respectful, reciprocal relationships.
- Involving families and communities in young children’s development and learning.
- Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
- Understanding the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment-- including its use in development of appropriate goals, curriculum, and teaching strategies for young children.
- Knowing about and using observation, documentation, and other appropriate assessment tools and approaches, including the use of technology in documentation, assessment, and data collection.
- Understanding and practicing responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes for each child, including the use of assistive technology for children with disabilities.
- Using Developmentally Effective Approaches
- Understanding positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation of their work with young children.
- Knowing and understanding effective strategies and tools for early education, including appropriate uses of technology.
- Using a broad repertoire of developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches.
- Reflecting on own practice to promote positive outcomes for each child.
- Using Content Knowledge to Build Meaningful Curriculum
- Understanding content knowledge and resources in academic disciplines: language and literacy; the arts (music, creative movement, dance, drama, visual arts); mathematics; science (physical activity, physical education, health and safety); and social studies.
- Knowing and using the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of content areas or academic disciplines.
- Using own knowledge, appropriate early learning standards, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate developmentally meaningful and challenging curriculum for each child.
-
Becoming a Professional
-
Identifying and involving oneself with the early childhood field.
- Knowing about and upholding ethical standards and other early childhood professional guidelines.
- Engaging in continuous, collaborative learning to inform practice; using technology effectively with young children, with peers, and as a professional resource.
- Integrating knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives on early education.
- Engaging in informed advocacy for young children and the early childhood profession.
-
Courses
ECE 111 Child Development Associate 1
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
This course provides 60 of the 120 clock-hours of training required by the Council for Early Childhood Professionals Recognition/CDA National Credential Program. Topics include: six competency standards and 13 functional areas required for the credential program, focusing on the competency areas safe and healthy environments, physical and intellectual competence, and social and emotional development.
Prerequisites: None
ECE 112 Child Development Associate 2
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A continuation of ECE 111 that provides 60 clock-hours of additional training. Topics include: six competency standards and 13 functional areas, focusing on relationships with families, program organization, and professionalism, as well as preparing for the competency test and portfolio review.
Prerequisites: ECE 111
ECE 145 The Developing Child
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on growth and development of children from birth through age eight. Topics include: characteristics and needs of children for physical, cognitive, language, social, and emotional growth and development; and theories of early childhood education.
Prerequisites: AFL 085 (minimum grade C) or appropriate placement test score
Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved
ECE 155 Health, Safety, and Nutrition in Childhood
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for managing health, safety, and nutrition in child care settings serving infants through school age children. Topics include: childhood communicable diseases, licensing requirements, and nutritional needs of young children.
Prerequisites: AFL 085 (minimum grade C) or appropriate placement test score
ECE 160 Assessment and Observation in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on strategic and purposeful techniques for observing, recording, and assessing the progress of children from infants to school age.
Prerequisites: EDU 105 and ECE 145 (minimum grade C for both)
ECE 165 Emergent Literacy
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on growth and development of oral language from birth to school age. The course meets the Ohio Early Learning Standards for reading and writing for young children. Topics include: the study of reading and writing, the teacher's role in promoting early literacy, and phonemic awareness.
Prerequisites: EDU 105 and ECE 145 (minimum grade C for both)
ECE 175 Family, Community, and Schools
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for parent/teacher collaboration. Topics include: effective communication among parents, teachers, and other professionals for enhancing child development; maintaining positive relationships; and working with diverse family units.
Prerequisites: AFL 085 (minimum grade C) or appropriate placement test score
Ohio Transfer Assurance Guide Approved
ECE 180 Infant and Toddler Environments
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on concepts and techniques for care and nurturing of infants and toddlers. Topics include: promoting growth and development, classroom management, and developmentally appropriate practice. Students spend three hours per week in an early childhood care setting.
Prerequisites: ECE 145 and EDU 105 (minimum grade C for both)
ECE 185 Creative Learning Environments
4 Credits. 4 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on creating learning experiences for young children. Topics include: art, music, social studies, math, and science curricula; indoor and outdoor play; and selecting developmentally appropriate materials and equipment.
Prerequisites: EDU 105 and ECE 145 (minimum grade C for both)
ECE 198 First Year Special Topics in Early Child Care Education
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Early Child Care Education, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ECE 199 First Year Independent Project in Early Child Care Education
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Early Child Care Education that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Early Child Care Education faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ECE 215 Classroom Management and Guidance
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on concepts and techniques for management of early educational classrooms, and implementation of developmentally appropriate practice and guidance for children from birth to age eight.
Prerequisites: ECE 145 and EDU 105 (minimum grade C for both)
ECE 220 Preschool and School Age Environments
4 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 3 Lab Hours.
A course on concepts, techniques, and educational theories for teaching preschool and school age children. Topics include: learning through play, promoting growth and development, classroom management, and developmentally-appropriate practice. Students spend three hours per week in a preschool setting.
Prerequisites: ECE 180 (minimum grade C)
ECE 230 Administration and Leadership in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 3 Lecture Hours. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on organizing, operating, and managing child care facilities and family child care homes. Topics include: licensing requirements, record keeping, budgeting, working with staff and parents, team building, resolving conflicts, and other leadership skills.
Prerequisites: ECE 220 (minimum grade C)
ECE 290 Student Teaching in Early Childhood Education
3 Credits. 1 Lecture Hour. 14 Lab Hours.
Students spend a minimum of 14 hours per week in a supervised student teaching experience in an approved early childhood care/education setting. Students must prepare a professional portfolio. Placement settings should be accredited or meet requirements for Ohio Step Up To Quality Level 3, and serve culturally, linguistically, and socio-economically diverse student populations.
Prerequisites: ECE 220 (minimum grade C) and ECE Program Chair consent
ECE 298 Second Year Special Topics in Early Child Care Education
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A course on selected topics related to Early Child Care Education, which gives students opportunities to study information not currently covered in other courses. Grades issued are A, B, C, D, or F.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
ECE 299 Second Year Independent Project in Early Child Care Education
1-9 Credits. 0 Lecture Hour. 0 Lab Hour.
A project related to Early Child Care Education that is completed by one or more students to meet specific educational goals. Projects must have prior approval and supervision by Early Child Care Education faculty. Grades issued are Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory.
Prerequisites: Vary by section
Faculty
Program Chair/ Advisor
Professor Sandra Owen, MEd
sandra.owen@cincinnatistate.edu
Advisor
Holly McArthur, MEd
holly.mcarthur@cincinnatistate.edu