Early Childhood Education (9610)

The Early Childhood Education program provides students with a theoretical background in child development, professionalism, curriculum development, assessment practices, and hands-on real world teaching experience.  Students’ field work in early childhood includes experiences in multicultural and inclusion classrooms and provides opportunities to work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers and school-age children.

The mission of the program is to prepare early childhood teachers with the knowledge, skills, and disposition necessary to provide developmentally appropriate care and education for young children. Educational experiences prepare students to work in a variety of settings including child care centers, preschools, prekindergarten classrooms, and Head Start programs. The program also provides students with the skills to work as a family childcare provider as well as work with children with special needs.

The Early Childhood Education program is approved by the Ohio Department of Higher Education for Prekindergarten Associate Teacher. The Early Childhood Education program offers students the opportunity to earn an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education with the option for prekindergarten licensure when additional requirements have been met.  

The requirements for teacher licensure include earning a "B" or higher in ENGL 1110 English Composition I (A) and ENGL 1120 English Composition II as well as college-level math.  Students not earning those grades and seeking licensure will need a passing scores on the Praxis Core Academic Skills Exams - CORE Reading (passing score - 156); CORE Writing (passing score - 162); and CORE Math (passing score - 150). Upon successful completion of earning a "B" or higher in English and math or Praxis Core, student must pass the Ohio Assessment for Educators Exam – Prekindergarten (Subtest I & Subtest II).  The Ohio Department of Education determines the passing scores on these exams, which is subject to change.  Only eligible students who have been notified in writing that they have met all program requirements should take these exams. Please contact the department if you have questions.

The Early Childhood Education program includes an onsite lab school, Teaching Learning Center (TLC), that engages preservice teachers in over 100 hours of field experience in a state-of-the-art facility. The TLC is a licensed, Step Up To Quality Five Star Award teaching facility that provides children, ages 16 months through Pre-K, with a developmentally appropriate education using a curriculum that is based on discovery, guided exploration, and play.

Legislative mandates govern specialized admission requirements and performance objectives for the program. These include state laws requiring any person obtaining or maintaining a teaching license to be and remain a person of good moral character.

Lakeland Community College complies with Chapter 5101:2-12 of the Ohio Administrative Code and the Bureau of Child Care Licensing and Monitoring – ODJFS requirements (subject to change) including the following:

1. Complete BCI and FBI background checks (if applicable) [This must be done every 5 years] http://jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/Background_Check_Process.stm
2. Submit a request for a background check electronically in the OPR [This must be done every 5 years]
3. Receive JFS 01176 "Program Notification of Background Check Review for Child Care” [This must be received every 5 years]
4. Employee Medical (Sample form JFS 01296 may be used) [Must have been completed in the past twelve months for new hires]
5. HS diploma and verification of at least 18 years of age or -JVS 2nd year or -senior and enrolled in child development for college credit or -college transcript [OAC Rule 5101:2-12-08]
6. Completion of Staff Orientation training [within 30 days of hire, verified in OPR]

Students enrolling in ECED 1130 Introduction to Early Childhood Education will need to meet the fingerprint/background check requirement.  Additionally, any courses that include fieldwork in an early childhood classroom setting will also require fingerprinting. Students planning to complete the program and earn an Associate of Applied Studies Degree for Early Childhood Education must meet all State requirements prior to beginning the fieldwork component of EDUC 2180 Practicum in the Educational Setting.

Note -  It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the current State of Ohio Requirements for Child Care per Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services website and provide documentation to Lakeland’s Early Childhood Education Department for compliance of the six (6) items listed above.  If a student is not in compliance with said laws or if a conviction is deemed prohibitive, they will not be able to obtain an Associate of Applied Science degree in Early Childhood Education or obtain state licensure.