The Early Childhood Education program provides students with the tools required to develop skills in the early childhood profession or for further education with advanced credit opportunities. The program also includes instruction in child development and psychology; home-and institution-based childcare; identification of diseases, injuries, and psychological trauma and applicable referral; parent relations; personnel and business management principles; and related laws and policies. Clinical experiences will exist associated with the care of pre-school aged students within the program.
What Technical Skills will I learn?
Safety and first aid • Lesson planning • Literacy and writing skills • Nutrition
What Essential Skills will I learn?
Social and Communication Skills • Teamwork • Professional Attitude • Initiative and Self-motivation • Problem Solving • Interview Skills
What Career Opportunities or Field Positions are available?
Childcare Worker • Social and Human Service Assistant • Preschool Teacher• Elementary Teacher • Childcare Administrator
What Certifications can I earn?
OSHA Certification • Child Development Associate (CDA) • CDA – Ready Certificate • Adult/Infant CPR, AED, First Aid, and EpiPen • Mandatory Reporter
What College Credits can I earn?
Click here for information on earning college credits while completing a Career Tech program.
What are the Program Requirements & Expectations?
Ability to obtain clearances • Ability to work well with others • Adaptation to a changing environment • Ability to problem solve • Creativity and reliability
What are the Uniform Requirements?
A CareerTech blue or gray t-shirt is required. In addition, the following CareerTech items may also be purchased: sweatshirt, hooded sweatshirt (no strings), zip fleece, 1/4 zip sweatshirt (special order), polo shirt, or flannel. Uniforms may be ordered online or purchased at the school store.
Jeans (no holes), dress slacks, or black scrubs; no open-toed shoes or boots (sneakers or flats recommended).
A special order t-shirt is required for working in the preschool.
Are there any Out-of-Pocket costs?
School Uniform
Fingerprinting clearances if have lived outside PA in the past 5 years.
Low cost miscellaneous supplies for projects (students keep projects).
Can I join any Student Organizations?
Students may join the SkillsUSA student organization. This club brings students who share common interests together for an exchange of ideas and the opportunity to work towards a common purpose. It offers students recognition through a national program of awards and contests and seeks to cultivate excellence in leadership and in their technical skills. Visit http://www.skillsusa.org/ for more information.
What else should I know?
Clinical experiences will exist associated with the care of pre-school aged students within the program.
Katie Wilmot
Mrs. Wilmot is a CareerTech alumnus of the Graphic Communications program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Education with a focus on Early Childhood and Master of Education with a focus on Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood from Shippensburg University. Mrs. Wilmot brings over 5 years of teaching experience to this program.
