Early Childhood Education, AAS

Program Code: AASEE
ASSOCIATE IN APPLIED ARTS AND SCIENCE DEGREE

Early childhood professionals act as parent substitutes and are responsible for the care, safety and personal conduct of the children in their charge. In addition to providing for children’s health, safety and basic needs, early childhood professionals foster learning in young children by planning and implementing developmentally appropriate activities and experiences. They create a homelike atmosphere by offering support and counsel, and by providing for the physical necessities of the children in their care. Child care settings include home settings, preschool or nursery school center settings, Head Start and public schools. Position titles and the amount of responsibility vary: nanny, child care or nursery school worker/attendant, classroom or recreational aide, classroom assistant or preschool teacher, or paraprofessional, owner and/or director of a child care facility.