Early Childhood Education Home Page
The field of early childhood education is growing and changing rapidly, and we are responding to the educational and programmatic needs of New Hampshire's youngest citizens. With the increasing demand for family child care providers, lead teachers in preschools, educational assistants in classrooms, early intervention specialists, and directors of child care centers, there has never been a greater need for well-qualified early childhood professionals.
Our early childhood programs provide many avenues for growth and challenge, fosters joy of learning. The curriculum is performance-based. Students build a teaching and learning portfolio based on standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Students have the opportunity to gain a wide range of experiences, such as student teaching in our on-campus, nationally-accredited childcare center or interning in our quality assured Child Care Resource and Referral agency.
The Associate Degree with a major in Early Childhood Education is awarded upon successful completion of this program. Students may shape their program of studies to include courses and concentrations in Special Education or Early Intervention or both. The 12 credit Entry-Level and the 25 credit Child Care certificates provide a career lattice for students working in the field or exploring career options.
NH Community Colleges partner with the NH Department of Health & Human Services to offer tuition assistance to child care providers who are currently in the field of Early Care and Education. If you provide family child care, or work at least part time in a child care setting in New Hampshire, you may be eligible to receive tuition assistance for Early Childhood Education courses offered through the White Mountains Community College.
Candidates for positions and careers in early childhood education are encouraged to explore health requirements associated with employment in child care, preschool and related settings for young children. Prospective students with special needs requiring accommodations that may affect their practicum placement and/or potential employment prospects are advised to discuss specific career goals with the department head during the admissions process.
The New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Standards and Licensing may restrict certification to candidates who have been involved in civil or criminal action. Questions about certification restrictions should be addressed to the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Standards and Licensing.
The health and safety of young children is of paramount concern to the Department of Early Childhood Education. Applicants for positions in childcare, preschools and many other early childhood programs in New Hampshire should be aware that background checks through the New Hampshire Department of Safety must be completed by potential employers prior to employment.
Applicants who have been in difficulty with the law, depending upon the nature of the problem, may not be employable or even eligible for practica. Applicants are advised that such matters will be discussed during the admissions interview, so that future goals will not be compromised.
Technical Standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the Early Childhood Education profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact department faculty to discuss individual cases. The Department of Early Childhood Education will seriously consider all academically qualified candidates providing that the technical standards can be met with reasonable accommodations. Students in Early Childhood Education must have sufficient strength, stamina, and motor coordination to perform the following:
Students must submit a health record, including immunizations, and provide proof of liability insurance (available to matriculated students through the college) and be CPR and First Aid certified.
| First Year | ||||
| Fall Semester | Lec | Lab | Cr | |
| ECE111 | Foundations of Early Childhood Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE114 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE116 | Infant/Toddler Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| OR | ||||
| ECE118 | Infant Toddler Curriculum | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ENG120 | College Composition* | 3 | 0 | 3/4 |
| PSY111 | Psychology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester Total | 15 | 0 | 15/16 | |
| ECE120 | *Introduction to Early Intervention | |||
| Spring Semester | Lec | Lab | Cr | |
| ECE112 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE113 | Early Childhood Education Practicum I | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| ECE117 | Learning Environments | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE211 | Organization and Management of Early Childhood Programs | |||
| OR | ||||
| HUS112 | Learning and Behavior | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| OR | ||||
| EDU200 | Supporting Students with Challenging Behaviors | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| ENG214 | Children's Language and Literature | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester Total | 14/15 | 6 | 16/17 | |
| ECE121 | *Understanding Children with Autism and Pervasive Developmental Disorders | |||
| First Year Total | 31 | 32 | 33 | |
| Second Year | ||||
| Fall Semester | Lec | Lab | Cr | |
| ECE212 | Early Childhood Education Practicum II | 2 | 6 | 4 |
| OR | ||||
| EDU201 | Legal Issues in Education | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| OR | ||||
| EDU204 | Instructional Technology | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| OR | ||||
| HUS212 | Supportive Communication Skills | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE213 | Sociology of Children and Families | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HUM212 | Legal and Ethical Issues | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Mathematics | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Semester Total | 14/15 | 0/6 | 15/16 | |
| Spring Semester | Lec | Lab | Cr | |
| ECE214 | Curriculum Development: Early Childhood | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| ECE216 | Understanding Young Children's Special Needs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Liberal Arts Elective | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Science | 3 | 0 | 3 | |
| Choose two of the following courses: | ||||
| ECE211 | Organization and Management of Early Childhood Programs | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| HUS112 | Learning and Behavior | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU202 | Strategies for Teaching Diverse Populations | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| EDU203 | Teaching Strategies for Students with Disabilities | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Semester Total | 18 | 0 | 18 | |
| Second Year Total | 33/34 | |||
| Total for A.S. Degree | 64/65 | |||
| *Required for Early Intervention Option | ||||
Early Childhood Education Certificate
Entry-Level Childcare Certificate
