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Early Childhood Education

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Academic Programs

Early Childhood Education - Associate in Applied Science (042)

(042) Associate in Applied Science

The Early Childhood Education program provides the academic background and practical experience for people interested in careers in education, including infant, preschool and school-age child care in early childhood centers, family child care homes, parent education, and early childhood program supervision. Coursework focuses on theory, research and program practice pertaining to children prenatal to early school age. Students will have the opportunity to observe and assess children's behaviors and to work directly with children in a supervised setting. This program provides a comprehensive course of study, including physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of young children, curriculum development, literature and language arts, creative activities for teaching art, music, math and science, behavior guidance, health and nutrition, and two supervised practicum experiences.

Work and Employment

The early childhood education program is designed to educate professionals for a diverse and challenging field. Employment opportunities for graduates of the early childhood education program are very positive, whether pursuing a career in group day care or preschool settings, family care, or working with exceptional needs children.

Special Considerations

Entry level child care position salaries may begin at minimum wage. This program and guideline is NOT intended for students interested in transferring to a four-year college. Transfer programs in early childhood education may lead to higher salaries and diverse job opportunities.

Criminal History Check Policy

Illinois law requires Illinois school boards to conduct a criminal background investigation on applicants for employment. This law also prohibits the employment of a person who has been convicted of committing or attempting to commit any one or more of a number of offenses. At present, offenses include first degree murder; any Class X felony; juvenile pimping; soliciting for a juvenile prostitute; exploitation of a child; obscenity; child pornography; harmful material; criminal sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual assault; offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act; and crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substance Act. Employment must be denied whether the offenses and/or conviction occurred inside or outside the state of Illinois.

All students entering the initial observation course must first submit to a criminal background check (CBC). You will be notified by the College of the fees, date, time and location of the finger printing process. In addition, students listed on the Illinois Sex Offenders Registry, Illinois Violent Offender Against Youth Registry and the National Sex Offenders Registry will be denied entrance into these programs.

If any of the above returns with an incident "hit", you will be notified and need to see a designated counselor who will review your results and review how it might affect your ability to participate in these programs. An adverse decision may be appealed through the institutional academic appeal process.

Program Contacts at Sauk Valley Community College
Counseling Office, 815/835-6354;
Janis Jones, Assistant Professor of Education, 815/835-6410.


Major Field Requirements - Sem/Hrs: 15

  • ECE 110 - Topics/Issues in Early Childhood Education 1, 2 or 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 118 - Parent-Teacher-Child-Community Relations 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 210 - Early Childhood Education Seminar I 1 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 211 - Early Childhood Education Seminar II 1 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 250 - Early Childhood Education Practicum I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 251 - Early Childhood Education Practicum II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • HSV 101 - Introduction to Human Relations 3 Semester hour(s)

Professional Core Requirements - Sem/Hrs: 18

  • ECE 114 - Child Care and Development 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 115 - Principles of Early Childhood Education 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 202 - Language Development in Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 206 - Mathematics and Science for Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 208 - Guidance Principles for Children 0-13 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 275 - Curriculum Development for the Early Childhood Classroom 3 Semester hour(s)

Related Requirements

9 semester hours to be selected from the following list or others as approved by the department.

When making choices, students should consult with their academic advisor or counselor to be sure that vocational training needs and state licensing requirements for child care personnel are being met.


  • CIS 109 - Introduction to Microcomputers - Windows 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 110 - Topics/Issues in Early Childhood Education 1, 2 or 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 200 - Art and Music for Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 228 - Child Health, Nutrition and Safety 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 102 - Computer Education for Teachers 3 Semester hour(s)
  • or

  • EDU 220 - Students with Disabilities in School 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 221 - Children's Literature 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 224 - Education as an Agent for Change 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 275 - Educational Psychology 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 276 - Clinical Experience in Elementary Education 1 Semester hour(s)
  • HSV 130 - Manual Communications I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • HSV 131 - Manual Communications II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • LAN 161 - Beginning Spanish I 4 Semester hour(s)
  • PED 213 - First Aid 2 Semester hour(s)
  • PED 220 - Rhythms and Games for Children 2 Semester hour(s)
  • PSY 200 - Human Growth and Development 3 Semester hour(s)
  • PSY 214 - Child Psychology 3 Semester hour(s)
  • SOC 111 - Introduction to Sociology 3 Semester hour(s)
  • SOC 112 - Social Problems 3 Semester hour(s)

General Education Requirements

  • Communications (ENG 101 and SPE 131) 6 Semester hour(s)
  • Social Science (PSY 103 Required, SOC 251 recommended) 6 Semester hour(s)
  • Science (BIO 120 recommended) 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Mathematics (MAT 106 recommended) 3 Semester hour(s)


Sem/Hrs: 21



SVCC Requirement - Sem/Hrs: 1


  • FYE 101 - First Year Experience 1 Semester hour(s)

Total Hours Required for A.A.S. Degree: 64


Suggested Program


First Semester - Sem/Hrs: 17

  • ECE 110 - Topics/Issues in Early Childhood Education 1, 2 or 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 114 - Child Care and Development 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 115 - Principles of Early Childhood Education 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ENG 101 - Composition I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • FYE 101 - First Year Experience 1 Semester hour(s)
  • HSV 101 - Introduction to Human Relations 3 Semester hour(s)
  • PSY 103 - Introduction to Psychology 3 Semester hour(s)

Second Semester - Sem/Hrs: 15

  • ECE 118 - Parent-Teacher-Child-Community Relations 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 202 - Language Development in Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 208 - Guidance Principles for Children 0-13 3 Semester hour(s)
  • MAT 106 - Applied Mathematics 3 Semester hour(s)
  • (Recommended)

  • SOC 251 - Human Sexuality and Marriage 3 Semester hour(s)

Third Semester - Sem/Hrs: 16

  • ECE 200 - Art and Music for Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 206 - Mathematics and Science for Young Children 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 210 - Early Childhood Education Seminar I 1 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 228 - Child Health, Nutrition and Safety 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 250 - Early Childhood Education Practicum I 3 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 275 - Curriculum Development for the Early Childhood Classroom 3 Semester hour(s)

Fourth Semester - Sem/Hrs: 16

  • Humanities/Fine Arts 3 Semester hour(s)
  • Physical/Life Science 3 Semester hour(s)

  • ECE 211 - Early Childhood Education Seminar II 1 Semester hour(s)
  • ECE 251 - Early Childhood Education Practicum II 3 Semester hour(s)
  • EDU 221 - Children's Literature 3 Semester hour(s)
  • SPE 131 - Introduction to Oral Communication 3 Semester hour(s)
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