Early Childhood Care and Development, Diploma

Program: DECC

The Early Childhood Care and Development diploma curriculum provides an understanding of early childhood theory and its application to childcare and educational settings. This diploma program prepares students to work in a variety of early childhood support roles subject to state and/or facility requirements. Students will develop the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary for employment in alignment with NAEYC standards. By the end of the diploma program, students will have the competencies needed to promote childhood development and learning, build family and community relationships, and create a welcoming and inclusive environment to support all children.

Graduates of this diploma plan will achieve the following program and institutional outcomes:

• Implement developmentally appropriate and inclusive activities and guidance strategies designed to positively impact child behavior and to support growth in all domains.
• Create respectful, reciprocal relationships with children's families and communities to foster involvement and support children's development and learning.
• Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices according to local, state, and national standards.
• Utilize current technology and resources to identify a research need, locate and evaluate necessary  and available information, and then use it appropriately to communicate findings in visual, written, or oral formats.
• Integrate new and prior knowledge, skills, and behaviors acquired through learning to engage in career, life, and academic pursuits.
• Examine individual thinking strategies through reflection, analysis, and evaluation to adjust learning processes focused on continual improvement.
• Follow established methods of scientific inquiry and quantitative reasoning to form conclusions and make decisions.
• Assess academic, life, and career situations that promote cultural sensitivity, global and economic awareness, and a sense of belonging.