-
Mrs. Susan Heller
Room 2-102
Contact Information: hellersu@pcsb.org
Welcome to Early Childhood Education!
Every child within a child care setting deserves the best trained teacher possible. Through your commitment and goal to complete all 4 levels the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and earn the National Child Development Associate Certificate (CDA), you will have the opportunity to touch the lives of young children and begin the journey to becoming the best teacher, child care director, pediatrician, neonatal nurse, child psychologist, or social worker possible.
Hands-on observation and supervised work experience with young children in a school-based laboratory or community-based learning environment are essential components of this comprehensive early childhood education program. Students enrolled in this course of study will have the invaluable opportunity to directly engage with and learn from children in real-world settings, putting the theories and teaching methodologies they've studied in the classroom into practical application.
Why should I take Early Childhood Education?
To explore the cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and language development of young children.
To have an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with young children.
To experience what it would be like to become a teacher.
To work towards earning ECE certifications and college credit towards a higher education.To build a foundation to work with young children outside a classroom setting (Speech and
Language Pathologist, Occupational Therapist, Pediatrician, Behavior Therapist, Etc.)
What topics will be covered in The Early Childhood Education Program?
Department of Children and Families
Child Development Theories
Lesson Planning based on Students’ Interest
Formal and Informal Observations
Daily Preschool Routines and Activities
What opportunities are students in The Early Childhood Education Program provided with?
Opportunities to teach within the preschool setting.
Taking leadership role in the classroom by creating lesson plans.
Observing student progress and making proper adjustments to lessons to ensure children are making gains.What can you do with the National Child Development Associate Certificate?
- Work in a local preschool/child care center as a lead teacher or teacher’s assistant/YMCA counselor/after school program
- Earn 9 college credits to any college in the state of Florida; earn 6 college credits to SPC
Program Structure
Early Childhood Education1 /Child Care Worker 1
This course includes competencies in child care rules and regulations. Safe learning environments, stages of child development, developmentally appropriate practices, and communication skills, principles of child nutrition and technology use, as well as competencies from the DCF 40-hour introductory Child Care Training coursework.
Early Childhood Education 2 /Child Care Worker 2
This course includes competencies in professionalism, community resources, the importance of relationship skills and communicating with children’s families, history of school-age care, infant-toddler developmentally appropriate guidance activities, and observing and recording materials, as well as competencies from the DCF 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training coursework.
Early Childhood Education 3/ Teacher Aide
This course includes competencies in developing lesson plans, child development theories, factors that affect the development of a child, and developmentally appropriate practices and activities for infants/toddlers and preschoolers. Also covered are components of working with students with special needs, classroom management techniques and creating optimum environments for all children, as well as competencies from the DCF 40-hour introductory Child Care Training coursework.
Early Childhood Education 4/ Preschool Teacher
In this course, students acquire competence in the areas of creating a successful developmentally appropriate curriculum, mentoring, developing the ability to motivate children, recognizing cultural differences when planning activities, including children with special needs, recent trends and issues in early childhood education and professionalism, as well as competencies from the DCF 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training coursework.
-
Early Childhood Education Course Pathway
CDA Professional Portfolio
CDA Portfolio: Capstone Project
The CDA portfolio capstone project represents the culmination of a child development associate's training and education, serving as a comprehensive showcase of their knowledge, skills, and practical experience in the field of early childhood education. This in-depth project requires the CDA candidate to meticulously document and reflect upon their work with young children, typically in a daycare, preschool, or other early learning setting. The portfolio must demonstrate the candidate's proficiency across the CDA's core competency areas, including establishing a safe, healthy learning environment, advancing physical and intellectual development, supporting social and emotional development, and building positive relationships with families. Through detailed lesson plans, student observations, and samples of children's work, the CDA portfolio provides a window into the candidate's teaching philosophy, curriculum design, and ability to meet the unique needs of diverse learners. Additionally, the capstone project often includes a formal interview, where the CDA candidate must eloquently articulate their professional goals, strengths, and areas for continued growth. Compiling this portfolio is a challenging yet invaluable process, as it not only helps the candidate solidify their own expertise, but also serves as tangible evidence of their readiness to excel as a competent, caring early childhood educator.
CDA Self Study Assignments
CDA_Credential_Self-Study_Assignments.pdf
Sample Portfolio:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuUYp9SsJJs
CDA Professional Observation Rubric
CDA Scoring Rubric Observer PD Specialist.pdf
CDA Classroom Completion Rubric
