Early Childhood Education Programs

Hands-on learning opportunities and state-of-the-art programs set NCC apart. Here, you’ll practice in early childhood classrooms and care settings, the Reibman Hall Children’s Center, and Hannig Family Children’s Center. You’ll observe classrooms and get teaching practice alongside your coursework.

With these diverse learning experiences, you’ll develop a curriculum that combines emergent strategies, education standards and individualized approaches that meet the unique needs of each child. Whether you complete your early childhood education degree online or on-campus, you’ll gain skills through an internship placement and establish knowledge in diverse aspects of early childhood education.

NCC’s Early Childhood Education A.A.S. is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

NAEYC Annual Outcomes Measurements from NCC’s 2019–20 A.A.S. Annual Report (PDF)

Education Program Requirements

Program Standard 1: Child Development and Learning
Students use evidence-based knowledge of child development and learning to understand that each child’s learning and development is unique based on cultural, linguistic, and ability diversity as well as other interacting influences to create safe, healthy respectful, and inclusive learning environments that provide responsive, developmentally appropriate arts-integrated learning opportunities

1a. Understand each child’s characteristics and needs for development and learning in all domains.
1b. Understand multiple interacting influences including cultural, linguistic and ability diversity that results in the uniqueness of each child’s development and learning.
1c. Apply evidence-based knowledge of development and learning to create safe, healthy, respectful, and supportive learning environments that are arts integrated and support the full participation of each child.

Program Standard 2: Families and Communities
Students use evidence-based knowledge to understand complex and diverse characteristics of families and communities using multiple perspectives to support each child’s development and learning through collaborative relationships.

2a. Understand how diverse and complex characteristics including cultural, linguistic and ability diversity in families and communities affect each child’s development and learning.
2b. Understand strategies educators can use to build respectful, reciprocal relationships including other professionals to support each child’s development and learning.
2c. Apply evidence-based knowledge of families, communities, and other professionals to support each child’s development and learning.

Program Standard 3: Observing, Documenting, and Assessing to Support Young Children and Families
Students use evidence-based knowledge about systematic observation and the goals, benefits, and appropriate uses of assessment in partnership with families and other professionals to understand and make decisions about environments, curriculum, and interactions to support each child’s development and learning.

3a. Understand the goals, benefits, and uses of assessment.
3b. Understand ethical methods of observation, documentation, and assessment.
3c. Understand how to partner with families and professionals in each child’s assessment process.
3d. Apply and analyze evidence-based knowledge of observing, documenting, and assessing to make decisions about environments, curriculum, and interactions to support each child’s development and learning.

Program Standard 4: Using Developmentally Effective Approaches
Students use evidence-based knowledge to understand and build positive relationships and supportive interactions as the foundation for their work with children and families. Students apply arts-integrated and developmentally appropriate approaches and Universal Design for Learning to support each child’s development and learning.

4a Understand and apply positive relationships and interactions to support each child’s development and learning.
4b. Understand and apply teaching skills and strategies including developmentally appropriate practices, and technology to support each child’s development and learning.
4c. Understand and apply a broad repertoire of arts-integrated, developmentally appropriate teaching/learning approaches and Universal Design for Learning, to support the development and learning of each child.
4d. Reflect on own evidence-based practices to support positive outcomes for each child’s development and learning.

Program Standard 5: Using Content to Build Meaningful Curriculum
Students use evidence-based knowledge of subject areas, Universal Design for Learning, inquiry tools, and resources to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum and experiences to support each child’s development and learning.

5a. Understand content knowledge and resources in symbol systems/subject areas: language and literacy; the arts – visual arts, music, creative movement, dance, and drama; mathematics; science, physical education, health, and safety; and social studies.
5b. Understand the central concepts, inquiry tools, and structures of all symbol systems/subject areas.
5c. Use evidence-based knowledge, early learning standards, Universal Design for Learning, and other resources to design, implement, and evaluate curriculum and experiences to support each child’s development and learning.

Program Standard 6: Becoming a Professional
Students use evidence-based knowledge of ethical guidelines and professional standards. They engage in continuous, collaborative learning and demonstrate knowledgeable, reflective, and critical perspectives to make informed decisions about advocating for sound practices and policies in early education.

6a. Identify and reflect on career goals; identify and involve themselves with the profession.
6b. Understand ethical guidelines, professional systems, standards and regulations in the field of early education.
6c. Explain and analyze personal engagement in continuous and collaborative learning; demonstrate reflective and critical perspectives.
6d. Understand ways to advocate for each child, family, and the profession.
6e. Analyze and synthesize knowledge about becoming a professional who can articulate and practice an individual philosophy which includes evidence-based practice and Universal Design for Learning.

When you earn an affordable Early Childhood Education credential from Northampton Community College, you’re investing in your future—and your financial stability. Our low-cost tuition and fees help you focus on what matters most: learning the tools and skills that you’ll use to advance your career.

Other low-cost opportunities include the free tuition Early Childhood Apprenticeship and NCC’s robust funding partnership programs. As an NCC student, you’ll also be eligible for our scholarship and financial aid opportunities, including five scholarships dedicated to Early Childhood Education students.