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Early Childhood Education

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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
  • Home, school, and community relationships
  • 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 maintain awareness of active children in a group setting
  • Demonstrate stamina while engaging in multiple tasks and activities with children
  • Respond quickly and appropriately to children's changing needs
  • Keep children safe

Hands-On Learning Opportunities

  • Field Experiences: You will gain more than 240 hours of real-world work experience in the Hawkeye 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 Promethean interactive whiteboards, iPads and tablets, and laptops.

Certifications

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

Flexible Course Schedule

You can take classes during the day or in the evening, or take a combination of both to fit your schedule. Evening hybrid classes are typically eight weeks and offered from 6:00–8:50pm on Tuesdays or Thursdays. 

Transfer Information

An articulation agreement allows you to transfer your Early Childhood Education coursework to the Prekindergarten-Grade 3 major including Special Education (Unified Endorsement #100) at Upper Iowa University. 

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

Faculty Spotlight

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."

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

Courses

Core Courses

  • Introduction to Early Childhood Education
  • Early Childhood Curriculum I and II
  • Child Growth and Development
  • Infant/Toddler Care and Education
  • School Age Care
  • Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
  • Early Childhood Guidance
  • Current Topics and Issues in Child Care
  • Career Strategies for Early Childhood 
  • Early Childhood Professional Portfolio
  • Home, School, and Community Relations
  • Early Childhood Program Administration
  • Advanced Curriculum Planning
  • Children's Literature
  • Including Diverse Learners
  • Field Experiences* and Seminars I and II

* 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.

Program Details

Award: Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
Required number of credits: 61
Program Start: Fall, Spring

View Suggested Sequence of Study & Course Cost

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 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.

Example Careers and Average Wages
Entry Average Experienced
Childcare Workers $17,300 $20,500 $22,100
Preschool Teachers in Head Start or Private Preschools $17,800 $25,900 $29,900
Teacher Assistants $18,200 $24,400 $27,600

Source: 2018 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, IA
Cedar Falls, IA
Discoveries Learning Center Denver, IA
Hawkeye Child Development Centers Waterloo, IA
Tri-County Child & Family Development Council, Inc. Waterloo, IA
Trinity Preschool and Child Care Waterloo, IA
Waterloo Community School District Waterloo, IA
Waverly Child Care and Preschool Waverly, IA

Explore local data on wages, employment, job postings, and more!

Admissions Requirements

Step #1: Apply at Hawkeye

  1. Complete Hawkeye's online admissions application to apply and be considered for the Early Childhood Education program.

  2. Request to have your transcripts sent to the Admissions office.

Step #2: Basic Skill Competencies

In order to be eligible for the Early Childhood Education program, all students must meet minimum score requirements and/or successfully complete the required college success courses in English, reading, and math with a "C" grade or higher at Hawkeye Community College or comparable courses at another accredited college. For appropriate college success course placement, work with your program advisor.

Minimum score requirements
ACT ACCUPLACER COMPASS ACCUPLACER Next Generation
16 Reading 58 Reading 69 Reading 239 Reading
16 English 64 Sentence Skills 41 Writing 240 Writing
14 Math 40 Arithmetic 24 Pre-Algebra 240 Arithmetic
241 Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics

Step #3: Program Acceptance

Applicants meeting the Basic Skill Competencies Requirements criteria are eligible for acceptance.

Applicants not meeting the Basic Skill Competencies Requirements criteria will be accepted to a Pre-Program. As a pre-program student, you will begin with general education and prerequisite classes. An advisor will help you create an academic plan to meet your program admission requirements. Once you have completed your pre-program coursework contact Admissions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Contact Us
Admissions Email us 319-296-4000 Hawkeye Center 114
Evening Program Coordinator Ryan Rasmussen Email me 319-296-4053 Hawkeye Center 203
Student Success Specialist Student Services Email us 319-296-4014 Hawkeye Center 208
Program Advisor Jane Even Email me 319-296-2329 ext.1431 Black Hawk Hall 236
Program Advisor Emily Knutson Email me 319-296-2329 ext.1558 Black Hawk Hall 236
Administrative Assistant Deb Hacker Email me 319-296-4007 Black Hawk Hall 258
Dean Catharine Freeman Email me 319-296-4041 Black Hawk Hall 258
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