Early Childhood (A.A.S.)

Study early childhood at JCC

Support and teach young children in their first years of education. With a degree in Early Childhood at Jamestown Community College, you’ll be able to work in the education field with children from birth through preschool, with some opportunities through second grade.

You will develop the skills needed to be a successful early childhood professional and work with young children in a variety of early care and education settings, such as assistant teacher or lead teacher. You will learn how to create programs for your students and inform the public about children and family issues.

The A.A.S. degree prepares you to be a lead teacher in a childcare center or similar facility, teaching assistant in a childcare center or similar facility, or teacher’s aide in a public or private school setting. The certificate in Early Childhood Development is embedded in this program, and Mandated Reporter Training Certification (Child Abuse Workshop Prevention) is embedded in EDU 2210.

2023 median pay for teacher assistants: $35,550/year according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Where to study at JCC

Early childhood skills

After you complete the program, you will be able to:

  • Understand how young children learn and develop, and will illustrate this by designing and implementing appropriate and meaningful learning opportunities that promote comprehensive and developmental learning outcomes for all young children.
  • Demonstrate an introductory understanding of the importance of the relationship between families, communities, and educators.
  • Apply knowledge of developmentally appropriate assessment and instructional strategies to design measurable goals, objectives, and evaluation procedures for young children.
  • Exhibit professionalism as a member of the early care and education community, including the use of ethical guidelines.

Semester 1

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

EDU 1250: Early Childhood Development

1

EDU 1290: Introduction to Early Childhood Education Care

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

EDU 1310: Family, School, & Community Relations

3

ENG 1510: English Composition I

3
SUNY
  • Humanities
JCC
  • College Composition

PSY 1510: General Psychology

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Social Sciences

INT 1555: Inquire

2
JCC
  • Critical and Integrative Reasoning
  • Discuss your career goals, field placement expectations, and employment options/outlook with your advisor.

Semester 2

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

PSY 2520: Child Development

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding

EDU 1260: Health, Safety, and Nutrition/Child

3

EDU 2210: Field Placement I

4
JCC
  • Applied Learning

EDU 1300: Observation & Guidance of Young Children

3

ENG 1530: English Composition II

3
SUNY
  • Written & Oral Communication
JCC
  • College Composition
  • Oral Communication
  • Prepare for employment by contacting the Success Center.

Semester 3

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

EDU 2150: Infant & Toddler Development/Education

3

EDU 2440: Children’s Literature

3

EDU 2450: Exceptional Children

3
SUNY
  • Diversity
JCC
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice

EDU 2460: Exceptional Children Field Experience

1
JCC
  • Applied Learning
  • Global Perspectives

Mathematics Elective

Recommended:

MAT 1500: Problem Solving or

MAT 1540: Statistics

3
SUNY
  • Math
JCC
  • Mathematical Reasoning

Social Sciences Elective

Recommended:

ANT 1520: Cultural Anthropology or

SOC 1510: Intro to Sociology or

PSY 1550: Stress & Coping or

PSY 2500: Psychology of Personality or

PSY 2530: Social Psychology or

PSY 2560: Abnormal Behavior

3
SUNY
  • Social Sciences
JCC
  • Cultural Understanding
  • Diversity: Equity, Inclusion, and Social Justice
  • Global Perspectives
  • Discuss with your advisor the possibility of pursuing a bachelor’s degree.

Semester 4

Course
Credits
Requirements Met

EDU 2220: Field Placement II

3
JCC
  • Applied Learning

EDU 2510: Philosophy and Techniques of Early Childhood Education

3

Natural Sciences Elective

Recommended:

BIO 1510: Health Science

3
SUNY
  • Natural Sciences
JCC
  • Scientific Reasoning: Natural Sciences

Elective

Recommended:

EDU 2500: Literacy in the Classroom or

EDU 1230: Working with Children

3

Elective

Recommended:

LDR 1300: Leadership Engagement or

LDR 1660: Leadership Development or

HUS 1220: Poverty/Social Class/America or

HUS 1280: Intro to Family Systems

2-3
  • Prepare for employment by contacting the Success Center.