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2024-2025 Academic Catalog

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Early Childhood Care/Education Diploma

Overview

Offered at the Augusta Campus, Thomson, and Waynesboro Sites.

Entrance Dates: Fall and Spring: Augusta
Fall and Spring: Thomson
Fall: Waynesboro
Length of Program: Four Terms
Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 53

Program Description: The Early Childhood Care/Education Diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as limited general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early care and education settings including child care centers and Head Start. High school graduation or GED is required for admission to this program.

Employment Opportunities: Graduates will be able to obtain jobs as early child care professionals, teacher assistants, preschool, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten teachers (private sectors), Early Head Start and Head Start teachers, family and group day care home providers, child care program administrators, and child care center directors. Employment can also be found in Early Intervention programs.

Curriculum Outline

Basic Skills Courses, 8 credits

ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3
MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2

Occupational Courses, 45 credits

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3
ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6

Notes:

  • The Early Childhood Care/Education Diploma program meets the requirement for the 120 clock hours of training required for the CDA (Child Development Associate) credential.
  • Prior to beginning the laboratory rotation in ECCE 1121, Early Childhood Care/Education students must have a physical exam and present a complete medical form documenting any special medical conditions, a negative tuberculin test reading, and their decision to take or decline the Hepatitis B vaccine series. (Documents must be submitted in ECCE 1101).
  • Prior to beginning the laboratory rotation in ECCE 1121, students must submit a Comprehensive Fingerprint Records Check and receive a satisfactory determination by Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, or have an unsatisfactory determination reversed. No person having an unsatisfactory determination as to his or her fingerprint records check will be eligible to complete this program of study. (Documents must be submitted in ECCE 1101).
  • Background checks are required on all incoming students to insure the safety of the children during routine care by students in the practicum/internship education courses. Students will be required to order their background checks, online, in sufficient time for it to be reviewed by the placement site prior to starting practicum/internship rotation. A background check typically takes 3-5 normal business days to complete. The background check will be conducted by an outside agency, a firm specializing in background checks. For more information, contact your program advisor.
  • Students must be aware that many employers also require drug screening as a condition of employment and practice zero tolerance policies.
  • Placement for Practicum and Intern students: 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 or of 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.
  • Effective January 1, 2014, any individual desiring to perform duties or tasks in a paid or unpaid capacity which involve personal contact with any child being cared for by a public or private child care center (i.e. a child care learning center, group day care home, or family day care home) under the oversight of Bright from the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) must first undergo a comprehensive fingerprint records check and receive a satisfactory determination from DECAL or have an unsatisfactory determination reversed. If you are affected by this law, or think you may be, discuss your situation immediately with your program advisor. Your employment options will be severely limited and you may need to reconsider your chosen field of study.
  • Students enrolled in ECCE 1121 will be required to do the full lab practicum experience at the lab school site if there is one available.
  • Students enrolled in both ECCE 2245 and ECCE 2246 will be required to complete required internship hours within the time frame allotted by the college. Failure to comply with Internship contract guidelines will adversely affect successful completion of course.
  • A grade of “C” or higher is required for all Early Childhood Care/Education occupational courses with the prefix ECCE.
  • All Early Childhood Care/Education students must submit current CPR/First Aid training and Fire Safety certificates.  This includes pediatric CPR/First Aid and AED.  CPR/First Aid training must be hands-on to meet eligibility requirements.  Individuals who do not participate in training, through Augusta Tech, must obtain required training through other means and provide proof of completion.

Guided Pathway

You may click on any course below to view the course description and prerequisite information.

Students who do not follow the Course Sequence listed below may not be able to complete the program in the number of semesters shown.

Augusta Day Program- Fall Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care & Education

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program Fall Entrance

Year 1 Fall Semester

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3
 

Year 1 Spring Semester

ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3
ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3
 

Year 1 Summer Semester

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
 

Year 2 Fall Semester

ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6
 

Augusta Day Program- Spring Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care & Education

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Augusta Day Program Spring Entrance

Year 1 Spring Semester

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3
 

Year 1 Summer Semester

ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3
ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3
 

Year 1 Fall Semester

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3
 

Year 2 Spring Semester

ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6
 

Thomson Day Program- Fall Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3

Year 1 Spring Semester

EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3
ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3

Year 1 Summer Semester

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3

Year 2 Fall Semester

ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6
 

Thomson Day Program- Spring Entrance

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Thomson Day Program

Year 1 Spring Semester

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3

NOTE: ECCE 1103 is only offered in the evening.

Year 1 Summer Semester

ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3

Year 2 Fall Semester

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3
EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2

Year 2 Spring Semester

ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3

NOTE: Students will sit out Summer Semester.

Year 2 Fall Semester

ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6
 

Waynesboro Day Program

PROGRAM NAME: Early Childhood Care and Education

AWARD: Diploma

CAMPUS: Waynesboro Day Program

Year 1 Fall Semester

COLL 1060INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE AND COMPUTERS

3
ECCE 1101INTRODUCTION TO EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION

3
ECCE 1103CHILD GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

3
ECCE 1105HEALTH, SAFETY, AND NUTRITION

3
ENGL 1010FUNDAMENTALS OF ENGLISH I

3

Year 1 Spring Semester

MATH 1012FOUNDATIONS OF MATHEMATICS

3
ECCE 1112CURRICULUM AND ASSESSMENT

3
ECCE 1113CREATIVE ACTIVITIES FOR CHILDREN

3
ECCE 2115LANGUAGE AND LITERACY

3
ECCE 1121EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PRACTICUM

3

Year 1 Summer Semester

EMPL 1000INTERPERSONAL RELATIONS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

2
ECCE 2202SOCIAL ISSUES AND FAMILY INVOLVEMENT

3
ECCE 2203GUIDANCE AND CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT

3
ECCE 2116MATH AND SCIENCE

3

Year 2 Fall Semester

ECCE 2245EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP I

6
ECCE 2246EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION INTERNSHIP II

6