Early Childhood Education Degree Program

The vision of the Early Childhood Education Department at NHTI is "Teaching, Learning, and Practice with Quality and Joy!" The faculty of the Early Childhood program view teaching as both an emotional and intellectual process. They aim to develop within students the ability to be curious observers of children and to be thoughtful educators who develop knowledge with children through interactive learning.

Faculty value intellectual challenge as a key component of developing teachers who will combine research and experience to discover answers to their questions about how children learn. Students are encouraged to share their theories about childhood through discussion, writing, projects, and use of technology. The family is valued as the child's most important teacher, and students practice forming strong relationships with families in order to support the child. The early childhood curriculum at NHTI has been developed to support these beliefs. The curriculum also follows the standards in the Guidelines for Early Childhood Education Programs in Associate Degree Granting Institutions as set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

The degree of Associate in Science with a major in Early Childhood Education will be awarded upon successful completion of all program requirements. The degree meets the training and education requirements for the State of NH credential of Lead Teacher Levels 2 and 3. (Refer to the Early Childhood Professional Development System Guide for other criteria for this level.) Graduates are prepared for immediate entry as competent professionals into the field of early childhood education as teachers in NH licensed child care centers, Head Start programs, nursery schools, family child care programs, and some private kindergartens, and as paraeducators in elementary schools. Graduates may also decide to further their education at four year colleges.

NHTI has an agreement with Plymouth State University, for students who meet the requirements, to transfer to the Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies/Teacher Certification (K-3).

Please access suggestions on transferring to other institutions here.

Early Childhood Education Scholarship Program
NH Community Technical Colleges partner with the NH Department of Health & Human Services to offer tuition assistance to child care providers who are entering or are currently in the field of Early Care and Education. If you provide family child care, or work at least part time in a child care setting in New Hampshire, you may be eligible to receive tuition assistance for Early Childhood Education courses offered through the CCSNH. Additional information may be accessed here.

Specific Admission Requirements

1. Algebra I with a grade of “C” or higher or NHTI's MT 103 with a grade of “C&%8221; or higher;
2. NHTI placement testing indicating an aptitude for EN 101 English Composition; verbal abilities and writing skills are major considerations for acceptance into the Early Childhood Education program;
3. Satisfactory interview with Early Childhood Education program faculty.

Health Considerations
Candidates for positions and careers in early childhood education are encouraged to explore health requirements associated with employment in child care, preschool and related settings for young children. Prospective students with special needs requiring accommodations that may affect their practicum placement and/or potential employment prospects are encouraged to discuss their specific career goals with the department head during the admissions process, particularly if the candidate is concerned about meeting the program's academic and technical standards. Each student is required to obtain NHTI Liability Insurance starting each school year. The students will be billed directly.

Character Expectations
The health and safety of young children is of paramount concern to the Department of Early Childhood Education. Applicants for positions in childcare, preschools and many other early childhood programs in New Hampshire should be aware that background checks and fingerprinting through the New Hampshire Department of Safety must be completed by potential employers prior to employment. To participate in NHTI's practica, students must first submit to background checks and fingerprinting.

Applicants who have been in difficulty with the law, depending upon the nature of the problem, may not be employable or even eligible for practica. Applicants are advised that such matters will be discussed during the admissions interview, to minimize the likelihood that future goals will be compromised.

Technical Standards
Technical Standards have been established to provide guidance to students as to skills and abilities required to function successfully in the program and ultimately in the Early Childhood Education profession. Applicants who feel they may not be able to meet one or more of the technical standards should contact department faculty to discuss individual cases. The Department of Early Childhood Education will seriously consider all academically qualified candidates provided that the technical standards can be met with or without reasonable accommodations. No essential technical standards will be waived or modified.

Students in Early Childhood Education must have sufficient strength, stamina, motor coordination and sensory capabilities to perform the following:

• Standing for sustained periods of time, walking, running, bending, and sitting on the floor to meet children's needs and accomplish tasks;
• Frequent lifting, moving and transferring children, especially infants and toddlers;
• Sufficient visual and hearing acuity to ensure a safe environment; and ability to respond quickly to children, colleagues, and professional partners in the event of emergency;
• Sufficient verbal ability to express and exchange information and ideas as well as to interpret important instructions to children, colleagues, professional partners, and parents;
• Sufficient skills in written expression to accurately record children's daily progress and milestones as well as medications administered, accident and suspected child abuse/neglect reports, etc.;
• Ability to work with frequent interruptions, to respond appropriately to unexpected situations including situations requiring immediate crisis response and role responsibility exchange; to demonstrate safe and required care for children, families, colleagues and the workplace as a whole; and to cope with substantial variations in workload and stress levels;
• Ability to consistently attend and participate in classes and practica in a timely manner;
• Ability to demonstrate and maintain organizational skills and time management in classes and at the practicum site;
• Ability to respond to children's personal needs, including changing diapers, in a manner that safeguards the health and safety of the student, children, and staff;
• Ability to work in a professional and respectful manner with a diverse range of children including children of different races, cultures, religions, and ethnicities as well as children with a wide range of disabling conditions;
• Ability to abide by NHTI's student conduct code;
• Ability to maintain proper boundaries in both the school and home environments; and
• Ability and disposition to adhere to and practice the Code of Ethical Conduct set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.

Information about transferring to other institutions

¥ Students whose assessment scores suggest difficulty with lengthy and complex assignments are strongly advised to complete the program in 2 ½ - 3 years. (A suggested first semester in this case would be EC 101, EC 141, EN 101 and GS 102 for a total of 12 credits)
+ BI 100, CH 100, and PH 100 do not meet this requirement.
++ Any course with a prefix of AN, EO, HI, PS, PY or SO (except HI 104 and HI 105).
# Indicates major field courses.

Program Comments:

1. Students will be working with children at the NHTI campus child care center beginning with first semester early childhood courses. Applicants are advised that the New Hampshire Bureau of Child Care Licensing requires certain paperwork to be on file at centers for employees and others who regularly work in child care centers. Completion of paperwork from the Bureau of Child Care Licensing must occur by the end of the first week of classes. This may include:
   • submission of a criminal record check;
   • a complete set of fingerprints (new law effective July 1, 2007);
   • completion of the licensing Child Care Personnel Health Form by a licensed health provider.
2. The cost of the record check and fingerprinting is the responsibility of the student. They must come back as clear or non-disqualifying and the health form must indicate that the student is in good physical health and has no mental or emotional disturbances that would prohibit him/her from caring for children. Otherwise the student will be dismissed from the program.
3. These forms are provided at each interview and orientation/registration or are available from the Department Head. Failure to complete the proper forms in a timely manner will result in an unexcused absence in the corresponding early childhood classes and could lead to course failure or suspension from the Early Childhood Education program.
4. Students working in licensed child care programs in NH may apply for tuition assistance made possible through funding from the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Division for Children, Youth, and Families, Child Development Bureau. Contact the department head for more information.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION PRACTICUM SITES

Bow Elementary School, Bow, NH
Child and Family Development Center, NHTI, Concord, NH
Children's World Learning Center, Merrimack, NH
Concord Early Head Start, Concord, NH
Concord Head Start, Concord, NH
Dame School, Concord, NH
Early Enrichment Center, Concord, NH
Eastman School, Concord, NH
East Side Learning Center, Concord, NH
Franklin Head Start, Franklin, NH
Kimball Elementary School, Concord, NH
The Learning Center at Concord Hospital, Concord, NH
Noah's Ark Child Care Center, Manchester, NH
Proctor Preschool, Andover, NH
Ralph Waldo Emerson Preschool, Concord, NH
Rumford School, Concord, NH
The Children's Place and Family Resource Center, Concord, NH
Woodside Preschool and Child Care, Concord, NH

CL - Number of lecture/classroom hours per week for the course
LAB - Number of simulation laboratory, laboratory or clinical hours per week for the course
CR - Number of credit hours for the course

Revised July 11, 2008