Early Childhood Education

Children playing with toys from the ECC child care center.

Department: Education

Program Type: Education and Liberal Arts

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Overview

If you're passionate about working with children and possess qualities like patience, creativity, effective communication, and keen observational skills, Elgin Community College’s Early Childhood Education program could be an excellent fit for you.

Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) play a crucial role in nurturing and educating young children during their formative years, from infancy through school. Providing patient and compassionate care, ECEs help children develop into curious, confident, and well-adjusted individuals. If you're eager to positively impact a child's life, consider exploring the Early Childhood Education program at Elgin Community College.

Our program is supported by knowledgeable and experienced faculty who uphold high standards of professionalism in child care. As a student, you'll gain valuable hands-on experience through observation and potential practical work at the college's Early Childhood Lab School, an on-site child care center for ECC students and employees. Additionally, you'll have the opportunity to gain experience at local DCFS-licensed child care centers.

Prepare for Immediate Employment

The U.S. Department of Labor Statistics estimates that Childcare Workers earn a median salary of $30,000 annually. Employment in the child care field is expected to decrease by 2 percent from 2022 to 2032. However, approximately 153,100 job openings for child care workers are anticipated annually over the next decade—the work environment for Early Child Care Workers are child care centers, homes, or private households. Refer to Career Coach to learn more about our different programs.

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Review the ECC catalog for details about the plan of study and course descriptions.

What Does an Early Childhood Educator Do?

An ECE or Childcare Provider is responsible for the care and education of young children, typically ranging from infants to school age (0-8 years old). Their duties involve creating a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment that promotes children's physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Here are some primary responsibilities of a Child Care Instructor:

Supervising children's safety, ensuring physical safety and well-being at all times.
Monitoring children to prevent accidents and manage behavior.
Maintain a daily routine to provide structure and consistency.
Develop age-appropriate educational activities that foster learning and development.
Promote social and motor skills
Teach and model positive social interactions, such as sharing, cooperation, and empathy.

How Do I Become an Early Child Educator?

At ECC, Students aspiring to enter the field of Early Childhood Education must complete our program. Illinois accredits Elgin Community College's ECE program. This includes credentials such as the Illinois Director's Credential Level I, Infant/Toddler Credential, ECC Credentials Levels 2-4, and ESL/Bilingual Credential through Gateways for Illinois.

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship

The ECACE Scholarship Program, funded by the state of Illinois, is intended to assist students who are aiming for careers in Early Childhood Education. Established to combat the shortage of qualified Early Childhood Educators, the program supports pursuing credentials and advancing degrees in this field. It aims to strengthen the workforce by assisting with tuition, fees, books, and supplies. Students interested in the ECACE scholarship should visit the Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity Scholarship Program to learn more about the application process and eligibility requirements.

Gateways to Opportunity Scholarship

The Gateways Scholarship Program offers financial assistance to Early Childcare and Education professionals in Illinois. Gateways to Opportunity is a state-funded scholarship program that supports individuals pursuing college credit, credentials, or degrees. This support is available for Early Childhood Education (ECE) or Child Development (CD) coursework. This program can be applied to:

Associate degrees
Bachelor degrees
Master degrees programs
Certificates
Endorsements
Credentials

Explore this page to learn eligibility requirements, application procedures, and your responsibilities if awarded a Gateways Scholarship. For additional information, including answers to frequently asked questions, visit our FAQ page.

Educators in Demand

Positions in this area include but are not limited to Preschool Teachers, Childcare Workers, and Teacher Assistants—US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, (accessed May 07, 2024).