Intro to Early Childhood Education Professions

ECC's early childhood education programs are designed to prepare you for careers as child care workers or directors. The Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education is approved for several Gateways credentials, including the Director Credential Level 1, Infant/Toddler Credential, and ECE Credential Levels 2-4. This means ECC offers courses that meet Gateways to Opportunity standards, allowing you to earn these credentials and demonstrate high-quality training in the child care field.

Our free Introduction to Education - Early Childhood course provides an overview of ECC certificates and degrees, helping you choose the right career path.

In this course, you will:

• Learn about career paths and educational requirements in Early Childhood Education.
• Improve your speaking and writing skills, understand legal and cultural issues, and reflect on your future role as an Early Childhood Education professional.
• Explore child guidance practices in the US and understand cultural norms in early child care settings.
• Identify and develop "soft skills" like communication, problem-solving, time management, and professionalism needed in early childhood education.
• Engage in discussions on various issues in the Early Childhood Education field and improve your ability to participate in classroom discussions and presentations.
• Discover career pathways to becoming a preschool teacher in Illinois.
• Understand legal issues and regulations for licensing Early Childhood Education professionals.
• Enhance your reading skills for understanding relevant materials and forms, and write reflectively about your readings.
• With guidance from a program coordinator, create and follow an educational plan for your career in early childhood education.
• Build your Early Childhood Education vocabulary.
• Learn job skills like writing a resume, participating in a mock interview, filling out job applications, and searching for jobs online.

Online Registration

Please fill out our inquiry form for more details about signing up for ABE/ASE classes. This form helps us understand what you need and prefer so we can guide and assist you with registration. By filling out the form, we can give you the best support and help you confidently start your learning journey.

Email ABECRegistration@elgin.edu or call 847-214-6904 for more information.

Inquiry Form

Stevens Amendment (FY24):
Stevens Amendment: Approximately $718,727 (40%) of the Illinois Adult Education and Literacy Program cost at Elgin Community College is federally funded under Title II, Adult Education and Family Literacy of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014.