Southeast Community College - Nebraska

Program Goals:

1. Prepare students to provide quality, developmental care and education for children ages birth through age eight.
2. Provide students with the opportunity to develop skills which include critical and reflective thinking, problem solving, creativity and practical reasoning.
3. Provide instruction and courses that will allow students to understand the importance of quality early care and education to children, families, communities, and society as a whole.
4. Enable students to have an understanding of themselves and others, to appreciate their similarities and differences, and to work together as a team with colleagues, parents and the community.
5. Provide a program of study that is a leader in the advancement of theory and practice in the field of early childhood education.  

Award Descriptions

1. The A.A.S degree is a vocational degree with a focus on teaching and administration in an early childhood setting. Those working toward this degree study child development birth to age eight, curriculum development and implementation, as well as program administration and leadership. 
2. The A.A.S. degree with an Entrepreneurship focus is specifically designed for those interested in owning and/or operating their own early childhood education program. In addition to studying child development, curriculum and methods of supporting children's learning, course studies include specific instruction on preparing for and implementing an effective business plan. 
3. The Child Care Professional diploma is designed for those interested in working in a support role directly with young children birth to age eight. The courses are designed to prepare students in understanding child development, appropriate curriculum and methods for supporting children's learning and development.
4. The In-Home Child Care certificate provides relevant curriculum for an in-home setting. Those preparing to be a professional nanny or work in a family childcare setting receive current information on curriculum and methods of implementation for children birth to age eight.
5. The Home Visitor/Family advocate certificate is designed to enhance the preparation, ongoing professional development, and effectiveness of early education program staff who work with families and/or who provide services to children and families through home visitation.
6. Classes in each program option can ultimately build into the next higher diploma/degree. 
7. Starting dates - The program accepts new students each quarter. Students can be either full- or part-time.
8. Course delivery options - Courses in the ECED program are offered at a variety of times and in a variety of ways, including days, evenings, condensed time frames, online, and other distance delivery methods.
9. Articulation Opportunities - The Early Childhood Education program has Tech Prep articulations and an ECED track for area Academies.
10. A special academic transfer Associate of Arts degree with an early childhood focus has been developed for students wishing to pursue a four-year baccalaureate degree.
11. College credit given for Child Development Associate (CDA) certification.