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Early Childhood Education
Prepare to create safe, responsive and inspiring learning experiences for young children through specialised study and sustained classroom practice.
Programmes at a Glance‹
Help young minds feel safe, curious and ready to flourish.
The earliest years shape how children see themselves, relate to others and approach learning. This programme prepares you to guide those years with knowledge, creativity and care. You’ll study child development, curriculum, communication, inclusive practice and family partnerships, then bring them together through three progressive field experiences. Graduates with the required GPA may also pursue the published route into the Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education.
What you’ll explore
Entry requirements
Your path to ECC may begin in different ways. This programme accommodates multiple admission routes, and our Admissions team can help you understand how your qualifications fit.
Four (4) CXC/CSEC subjects at General Proficiency Grades I, II or III, or approved equivalents. English A is compulsory.
NCTVET Level II in Early Childhood may be used as one of the four subjects required for matriculation. Published equivalents include GCE O-Level Grades A-C, SSC National Assessment Levels 4 and 5, City & Guilds, ULCI General 2, first-year technical courses and RSA Stage 2.
Mature applicants must be at least 30 years old and have at least five years of teaching experience in one or more recognised early childhood institutions. They must show evidence of competence, including at least two formally examined subjects with CSEC English or equivalent, a portfolio, a 500-word life history and professional vision, supporting certificates and recommendations.
Mature applicants must also complete an entrance assessment in basic numeracy and English Language.
Programme structure
Explore each published study period, from your first foundation courses to the experiences that prepare you for work and further study.
Full-time5 semesters5 published study periodsThe programme includes three compulsory non-credit requirements: Foundation Concepts in Mathematics I where needed, Personal and Character Development, and Paediatric First Aid.
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Year 1 - Semester I＋
ED110ECAHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education2ED110PCAChild Growth and Development4ED111PCAThe Emerging Teacher2LA110GEAIntroduction to Communication Skills I3ED112PCAIntroduction to ICT / Educational Technology2MT110ACAMathematics for the Early Years I3SC110GEAHealth and Family Life Education2Year 1 - Semester II＋
ED121ECAObservation and Assessment in Early Childhood3ED122ECAPedagogical Strategies in Early Childhood Education3MT120ACAMathematics for the Early Years II3SS121ACAFoundations of Social Studies3LA120GEAIntroduction to Communication Skills II4ED100PCAField Experience - Practicum I1NON-CREDITFoundation Concepts in Mathematics I (Part 1, where required)0Year 2 - Semester I＋
ED210ECACurriculum for Three to Five Year Olds3ED211ECAGuiding Behaviour in Early Childhood3LA211ECALanguage and Literacy in the Early Years3AE210ECAIntegrated Arts in Early Childhood Education4SC211ACAScience for Early Childhood3PD210GEAPersonal and Character Development0ED200PCAField Experience - Practicum II2Year 2 - Semester II＋
ED220ECAThe Birth to Three Curriculum2ED221ECAChildren with Special Needs in Early Childhood3ED222ECAEarly Childhood Policies, Regulations and Programme Management4ED220PCASchool, Family and Community Relations3NON-CREDITPaediatric First Aid0NON-CREDITFoundation Concepts in Mathematics I (Part 2, where required)0Year 3 - Semester I＋
ED300PCAField Experience - Practicum III5Part-time6 semesters plus 2 summers8 published study periodsThe programme includes three compulsory non-credit requirements: Foundation Concepts in Mathematics I where needed, Personal and Character Development, and Paediatric First Aid.
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Year 1 - Semester I＋
ED110ECAHistorical and Philosophical Foundations of Early Childhood Education2ED111PCAThe Emerging Teacher2LA110GEAIntroduction to Communication Skills I3SC110GEAHealth and Family Life Education2NON-CREDITFoundation Concepts in Mathematics I (Part 1, where required)0Year 1 - Semester II＋
ED110PCAChild Growth and Development4LA120GEAIntroduction to Communication Skills II4MT110ACAMathematics for the Early Years I3ED100PCAField Experience - Practicum I1Year 1 - Summer＋
SS121ACAFoundations of Social Studies3AE210ECAIntegrated Arts in Early Childhood Education4ED112PCAIntroduction to ICT / Educational Technology2Year 2 - Semester I＋
ED121ECAObservation and Assessment in Early Childhood3ED122ECAPedagogical Strategies in Early Childhood Education3MT120ACAMathematics for the Early Years II3Year 2 - Semester II＋
ED210ECACurriculum for Three to Five Year Olds3SC211ACAScience for Early Childhood3ED211ECAGuiding Behaviour in Early Childhood3ED200PCAField Experience - Practicum II2Year 2 - Summer＋
ED220ECAThe Birth to Three Curriculum2ED222ECAEarly Childhood Policies, Regulations and Programme Management4PD210GEAPersonal and Character Development0NON-CREDITFoundation Concepts in Mathematics I (Part 2, where required)0Year 3 - Semester I＋
ED221ECAChildren with Special Needs in Early Childhood3LA211ECALanguage and Literacy in the Early Years3ED220PCASchool, Family and Community Relations3NON-CREDITPaediatric First Aid0Year 3 - Semester II＋
ED300PCAField Experience - Practicum III5The structure shown is a guide. Course or unit sequencing and availability may be adjusted to reflect enrolment levels, faculty availability and programme scheduling requirements. Offerings may therefore move to a different semester or position in the sequence.
Your associate degree journey includes more than the curriculum table.
Depending on your entry qualifications, you may need Foundation Mathematics or English. Applicable associate degree students also complete PACE, U-VAC, Information Literacy, Social Outreach and other published college-wide requirements. These requirements do not continue into the bachelor’s stage.
Understand your requirements →You may be a strong fit if you…
care deeply about how young children learn, grow and experience the classroom.
want to combine child-development knowledge with creative teaching, inclusive practice and family engagement.
are ready to learn through reflection and sustained practicum experiences in real early childhood settings.
Main Campus
This programme is based at the campus shown. Selected classes may also use online, field, laboratory or work-placement environments.