Search Menu

Early Childhood Education

Courses Careers Program Admission Program Contacts All Programs >>

Program Overview

The Early Childhood Education program prepares you for a rewarding career nurturing the growth and development of young children in a variety of settings. You will gain the knowledge and skills necessary to work with infants through preschool-aged children, including:

  • Classroom management
  • Critical thinking and problem solving
  • Child growth and development
  • Curriculum planning and assessment
  • Effective communication with children, families, and other educators
  • Health, safety, and nutrition
  • Infant and toddler care
  • Positive emotional and behavioral guidance techniques
  • Program administration
  • State regulations

Essential skills needed to successfully complete the required coursework, include:

  • Ability to plan and implement imaginative and creative activities for children
  • Demonstrate responsibility and dependability in field placements
  • Decision making skills
  • Work cooperatively with peers and field placement staff
  • Good written and oral communication skills
  • Organizational planning

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

  • Field Experiences: You will gain more than 240 hours of real-world work experience in the Hawkeye's NAEYC accredited Child Development Center and local Head Start, preschool, and early childhood programs. Field experience must be completed during the day.

  • Teaching Portfolio: You will develop a portfolio of teaching strategies and tools to get you started in your new career. Prepare lesson plans, activity packets, teaching aides, and more.

  • Classroom Technology: Experience the technology of the modern day classroom, including Owlets in infant classrooms, electronic assessment practices, and interactive technology on whiteboards, iPads, and laptops.

Certifications and Licensure

You may receive the following certifications: First Aid, CPR, Blood Borne Pathogens and Universal Precautions, and Mandatory Reporter.

Hawkeye has not made a determination as to whether the program curriculum meets all other state’s educational requirements for licensure or certification. If you wish to work outside the state of Iowa, please contact the state agency in which you hope to work for details about licensure or certification.

Transfer Information

An articulation agreement with Upper Iowa University allows students to transfer their Early Childhood Education coursework to the Birth – Grade 3: Inclusive Settings major.

An articulation agreement with Northwestern College allows students to pursue an Early Childhood Education Teaching degree or a non-licensure Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education. Northwestern College's program is 100% online.

If you plan to transfer, work closely with a program advisor to ensure courses transfer and you meet program requirements.

At A Glance
Awards
  • Associate of Applied Science
  • Certificate
  • Diploma
Length of Study 4 months – 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face, Online
Class Meets

Face-to-face during the day, online, or a combination of both to fit your schedule.
Program Start Fall, Spring
Tuition Grant Available

This program qualifies for the Kibbie Grant.

Students must apply for and be awarded the Kibbie Grant.
 

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Iowa Scholarship

T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is a comprehensive scholarship program that will pay for a majority of your education. Visit Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children for more information about the T.E.A.C.H. scholarship program.

Faculty Spotlights

Emily Knutson, M.A.Ed

I spent 15 years working with young children in school and childcare settings. It made me realize there is nothing more important than providing children with quality experiences from infancy. Teaching people who are also passionate about children, and doing what is best for them, is an honor. I love the small class sizes at Hawkeye, because I really get to know the students.

Jane Even, M.A.Ed

I started my career out as the director of the Hawkeye Child Development Center, implementing curriculum with preschoolers and running the childcare center. After several years, I began teaching in the Early Childhood Education program.

I absolutely love being able to teach and work with students and pop into a center classroom to spend time with the little ones when observing a student in a classroom. It is very rewarding to watch students grow both personally and professionally in their time at Hawkeye. They create bonds with classmates and many remain friends after graduation. I love the connections I have been able to make with students. It is a fabulous feeling to see them out in the workplace, or have them contact me, and let me know they are working in a career they love.

Tia Shaffer, , M.A.Ed

I began my career with Head Start and then became a preschool director/teacher for several years. Later, I obtained my B.A. in Elementary Education and 5–12 Family and Consumer Sciences Education. I taught Family and Consumer Sciences for 18 years in Independence and was also an adjunct in the Early Childhood Education program here at Hawkeye.

I have a true passion for education and feel blessed to have worked with students of all ages. Hawkeye has just the right blend of small classes which allows me to build lasting relationships with my students. It is the best feeling in the world to see the excitement build for their future profession and know you have made an impact.

Video Overview

Take a Look Inside the Early Childhood Education Program

Hear from Early Childhood Education students on why they chose the Early Childhood Education program and how they are applying their new knowledge as student teachers in the Child Development Center.

See More Videos

Graduate Spotlight

After arriving in the U.S. from the Congo with her family in 2016, Princilia Kianbanzawoko has focused on her education. After graduating from Waterloo West High, she came to Hawkeye Community College for Early Childhood Education. "Hawkeye was like a big opportunity for me," says Princilia, who wants someday to be a preschool teacher. "This is not the end, but it has opened the door."

A lifelong love of children becomes a career: Featuring Cayden Griswold

Cayden Griswold graduated from East Buchanan in 2017 and almost immediately moved to California. She spent time living in San Francisco and Los Angeles before she lost her job during the pandemic. Soon, she was back in Iowa looking for direction.

A lifelong love of children drew Cayden to the Early Childhood Education program. Working in the Child Development Center on campus, she fell in love with the career and the reward of seeing children grow and thrive.

"It's been so cool to watch the development of the children," she said. "That's been so cool to actually watch them grow into little people. I think it's been awesome."

Her next steps after graduation are still being finalized, but she hopes to work at a childcare center or as a nanny, with dreams of one day opening her own place.

Program Pathways

Early Childhood Education Certificate

The Early Childhood Education certificate prepares students for an entry-level position in a child care program. Certificate program graduates will be able to practice appropriate guidance techniques, recognize and carry out appropriate activities and assessment for young children, maintain a healthy and safe setting, and be able to communicate effectively with children and families.

Program Details

Award Certificate
Credits 12
Program Start Fall, Spring
Number of Terms 1
Time to Complete 4 months
Course Format Face-to-Face, Online
Class Meets Face-to-face during the day, online, or a combination of both to fit your schedule.
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Early Childhood Education – Certificate
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Early Childhood Curriculum I or
    Early Childhood Curriculum II or
    Infant/Toddler Care and Education
  • Early Childhood Guidance
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for course cost and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to Early Childhood Education diploma or graduate and enter the workforce.

Early Childhood Education Diploma

The Early Childhood Education diploma prepares students for a position of responsibility in working with young children in a variety of settings. Graduates typically work in child care centers or as family home child care providers. Coursework introduces students to the early childhood field and includes child growth and development, guidance techniques, curriculum planning and assessment, infant and toddler care, health, safety and nutrition in the context of the field.

Program Details

Award Diploma
Credits 27
Program Start Fall, Spring
Number of Terms 2
Time to Complete 1 year
Course Format Face-to-Face, Online
Class Meets Face-to-face during the day, online, or a combination of both to fit your schedule.
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Early Childhood Education – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Child Growth and Development
  • Early Childhood Curriculum I
  • Infant/Toddler Care and Education
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Term 2
  • Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Early Childhood Curriculum II
  • Early Childhood Guidance
  • Field Experience I
  • Field Experience Seminar I
Math Courses
  • Applied Math
Communications Courses
  • Written Communication in the Workplace
Social Science Courses
  • Human and Work Relations
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

Next step: Continue to terms 3 and 4 of the Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program or graduate and enter the workforce.

Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree

The Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree prepares students for a positions as lead or assistant teachers/caregivers in a variety of settings such as child care centers, preschools, child development homes, and public and private schools, working with infants thru school-age children.

First year students are introduced to the early childhood field with coursework on child growth and development, guidance techniques, curriculum planning and assessment, infant and toddler care, health, safety and nutrition in the context of the field.

Second year students build upon skills developed in year one with coursework on family relationships, program administration, curriculum planning, and job search skills.

Program Details

Award Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Credits 61
Program Start Fall, Spring
Number of Terms 4
Time to Complete 2 years
Course Format Face-to-Face, Online
Class Meets Face-to-face during the day, online, or a combination of both to fit your schedule.
Admissions Application Select Academic Program:
Early Childhood Education – AAS
See Program Admission

Suggested Sequence of Study and Cost

Program Courses

Term 1
  • Child Growth and Development
  • Early Childhood Curriculum I
  • Infant/Toddler Care and Education
  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Term 2
  • Applied Math
  • Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Early Childhood Curriculum II
  • Early Childhood Guidance
  • Field Experience I
  • Field Experience Seminar I
Term 3
  • Career Strategies for Early Childhood
  • Current Topics and Issues in Child Care
  • Early Childhood Professional Portfolio
  • Field Experience II
  • Field Experience Seminar II
  • Home, School, and Community Relations
  • Human and Work Relations or
    Introduction to Psychology or
    Introduction to Sociology
  • School Age Care
Term 4
  • Advanced Curriculum Planning
  • Early Childhood Program Administration

You must pass the Department of Human Services criminal history record check and a national FBI fingerprint check before participating in lab and field experience courses. If you do not pass, you will not be able to complete the coursework and will not graduate from the Early Childhood Education program.

See the Suggested Sequence of Study for the full list of courses, cost, and additional course details.

You have completed the Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program.

Careers

Positions

Graduates of the two-year program work as lead, assistant, or associate teachers in child care centers, private preschools, child development homes, and private and public schools. With additional experience and credentials, graduates may become a paraeducator in a public school or the director of a child care center.

Diploma graduates work as child care workers, teacher assistants, and early childhood professionals in child care centers, private preschools, child development homes, and private and public schools. Many graduates provide in-home child care and nanny services.

The Early Childhood certificate prepares the student for an entry-level position in a child care program. The certificate meets the course work requirements for the formal education component of the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Childcare Workers $17,800 $22,300 $24,600
Preschool Teachers in Head Start and Private Preschools $21,000 $32,400 $38,200
Teaching Assistants $20,900 $27,400 $30,600

Source: 2022 Iowa Wage Report, Iowa Workforce Development

Employers

The following is a partial list of employers who have hired graduates from this program:
Business Location
Community United Child Care Centers Waterloo and Cedar Falls, IA
Dike New Hartford Elementary School Dike, IA
Discoveries Learning Center Denver, IA
Exceptional Persons, Inc. Waterloo, IA
Hawkeye Child Development Center Waterloo, IA
Purple Bloom School Coralville, IA
The Goddard School Waukee, IA
Tri-County Child & Family Development Council, Inc. Waterloo, IA
Trinity Preschool and Child Care Waterloo, IA
Vinton Shellsburg Community Schools Vinton, IA
Waterloo Community School District Waterloo, IA
Waverly Child Care and Preschool Waverly, IA

Child Care WAGE$® Iowa Salary Supplement Program

The Child Care WAGE$® Iowa program offers salary supplements (also called stipends) to the early care and education workforce, based on the individual’s level of formal education and commitment to their program. Learn more about the WAGE$ program.

Program Contacts
Admissions
Email Admissions 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Academic/College Success Advisor
Student Services Email Student Services 319-296-4014 Hawkeye Center 208
Faculty Advisor
Last Names A – M
 Jane Even Email Jane Even 319-296-2329 ext.1431 Black Hawk Hall 236
Faculty Advisor
Last Names N – Z
 Emily Knutson Email Emily Knutson 319-296-2329 ext.1558 Black Hawk Hall 236

Take a closer look. Learn the fun side of college.

Check out what Hawkeye has to offer you!

Request Info Visit Hawkeye Apply Now
Back to top