Early Childhood Care and Education Basics Certificate Program

EC31 - 201003

Program Description

The Early Childhood Care and Education Basics technical certificate of credit includes three basic Early Childhood and Care Education courses that are needed for entry level workers. The program provides an introductory course to the ECCE field, a child growth and development course, and a health, safety, and nutrition course. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start, and Georgia Pre-K programs. Bright from the Start (BFTS), the regulatory agency in Georgia, requires the basic knowledge included in this certificate for a person to be a lead teacher in a child care center or family day care center.

Program Specific Information

Students are accepted every semester based on course and space availability.

Students must complete ALL COURSES with a grade of C or higher in order to graduate.

Industry Certification Preparation

This certificate meets the Bright from the Start/Day Care licensing teaching credential requirements.

Additional Requirements

The State of Georgia has a law regarding the placement of persons with criminal records in childcare facilities. Anyone who has been convicted of a felony offense, neglecting or abusing a dependent person, a sexual offense, or any other "covered crime" will not be allowed to work in a childcare facility. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your advisor. Because your employment options may be severely limited in the early childhood profession, a person who has received an unsatisfactory criminal records check is discouraged from pursuing this program of study and may need to reconsider their chosen field of study. Prior to beginning clinical/internship courses, students must order and pay for a background check and meet background check screening requirements as required by the clinical facility. Cost is approximately $50.

Program Length and Availability

1 Semester

Campus Availability: Hall, Forsyth, Barrow, Online

Financial Aid

This program is not eligible for the Pell Grant but may be eligible for Institutional and State Financial Aid.

Contact a Financial Aid Counselor for eligibility requirements and application materials.

Admissions Requirements

Must be 16 years of age.  

ACCUPLACER Testing, or submit SAT, ACT, COMPASS, or ASSET test scores.

Curriculum

Program-Specific Core – Total of 9 Hours

ECCE 1101Intro to Early Childhood Care

3

ECCE 1103Child Growth & Development

3

ECCE 1105Health Safety & Nutrition

3

Total Credit Hours: 9

Graduation Plan

Semester One

Apply for Graduation

ECCE 1101Intro to Early Childhood Care

3

ECCE 1103Child Growth & Development

3

ECCE 1105Health Safety & Nutrition

3

Total Credit Hours:9

Total Credit Hours: 9

This plan is for informational purposes ONLY. It is not a substitute for meeting with a program advisor each term.