Welcome to Early Childhood Studies

Just the Facts

Entry:        Fall or Spring

Length:      4 semesters

Award:       Associate of Applied Science

Admission Requirements

Admission to the college is granted to all individuals who are high school graduates or the equivalent.  We encourage you to review our Getting Started Checklist for specific requirements for admission.

 

Program Information

If you like working with young children, Iowa Western's Early Childhood Studies program is right for you.  In this program, you will learn how to care and facilitate learning for children ages birth through preschool.  The program prepares students to become lead teachers and child specialists in preschool, family child care homes, and Head Start programs.  Students are involved in planning, leading and evaluating learning experiences through observation, discussion and active participation.

Graduates of this two-year program are awarded an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree, which is a non-transferrable degree.  

Other options would include the two-year Early Childhood Education program which would earn you an Associate in Arts (AA) degree; or the two-year Education: Grades K-12 program which would earn you an Associate of Arts (AA) degree.

Mission Statement

• The Early Childhood program will provide students with a foundation in research and theory concerning the cognitive, emotional, social and physical development of young children.

• The Early Childhood program is dedicated to promoting excellence in the field of early childhood through the application of knowledge in a variety of real world settings.

• Students will apply research and theory by demonstrating newly acquired skills in the Laboratory School under the supervision of laboratory instructors and staff.

• Students will develop skills necessary to be successful in the early childhood field.  These skills include but are not limited to demonstrating professionalism in all facets of the field, involvement in the community and adhering to the NAEYC Code of Ethics.

• To culminate the integration and application of theory, research and practice, students will be placed in applied settings where they must demonstrate competency and mastery of skills in early childhood studies.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN PURSUING A CAREER IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, YOU

CAN BEGIN A CAREER PATH TO TOUCHING THE FUTURE OF CHILDREN AT IOWA WESTERN

COMMUNITY COLLEGE.

Entrance Requirements/Enrollment

There are no entrance requirements for the Education program.  Students must maintain First Aid/CPR certification throughout the program.

Course Sequence

For recommended course sequence, please refer to the program guide.  Early Childhood program course descriptions may be also be found in the catalog.

The Facility

All students receive supervised hands-on work experience in the Children's Center on the IWCC Council Bluffs campus and in community sites.  The Children's Center is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Careers and Benefits

Careers in the field of early childhood care and education are plentiful.  Types of jobs include, but are not limited to:

• Nanny—live-in or live-out
• Family home child care provider
• Child care center teacher
• Child care center aide
• Head Start teacher
• Head Start assistant teacher
• Preschool teacher
• In home parenting teacher
• Owner/director of child care center

 

Salaries vary widely according to job, education, training, and location.  In addition to salary, benefits may include insurance, retirement plans, and college tuition reimbursement.  Other benefits include the intangibles such as hugs, sticky finger prints, smiles, and knowing that you are “touching the future” by working with children.

Skills Needed

• Persons working in jobs in the early childhood care and education field need to be knowledgeable about how children grow, develop, and learn. 
• They also need to be aware of how to plan activities to enhance children’s learning. 
• Persons working in this field need to love the job, like children, have a good handle on stress management, be able to laugh often, and be able to lift at least 60 pounds.
• Working with children requires creativity, endurance, energy, and enthusiasm.

The more training you have in working with children, the greater your career options in the field.  Some jobs require college courses; others require college degrees.  The career ladder allows you to move up with further training and salary.

Scholarship Information

Iowa Western Community College has many scholarship opportunities available for new and continuing students.  We encourage you to take a moment to explore these options by visiting our Scholarship Page - the few minutes it takes to fill out the application may literally pay off.

State and federal loan forgiveness programs are available for educators.

Come See Us for Yourself!

It is important to research the program you would like to study and school you would like to attend, but it is equally important that you experience both before making your selection.  We encourage you to come experience Iowa Western for yourself by scheduling a visit or attending a program day.

 

National Association for the Education of Young Children

Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children

Association for Childhood Education International

Amy McGraw

Program Chair, Associate Professor

712-388-6811

1-800-432-5852 ext. 6811

E-mail: amcgraw@iwcc.edu

or you may contact the

Admissions Office:

712-325-3277

1-800-432-5852 ext. 3277