The Early Childhood Career degree prepares you to work in a preschool or childcare center in Massachusetts certified as a Lead Teacher. In addition to attending to children’s basic needs, early childhood education professionals organize activities that stimulate children’s physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. They help children explore interests, develop independence, foster creativity, build self-esteem, and learn how to behave with others. MWCC’s program will prepare students to begin a career working with children ages 0-5. Benefits of MWCC’s program include a great job placement rate (90 percent of students find jobs), the option of both day and evening classes, day classes scheduled conveniently for parents of school-age children, opportunities to gain real world experience, and many excellent, local practicum sites.

The Early Care & Education for Young Children with Exceptionalities is a track available for Early Childhood Career Associate Degree students. A growing body of research is showing that just under half (45%) of children 0-17 have experienced adverse childhood experiences (ACES). These ACES are potentially traumatic events that can have lasting impacts on health and well-being. Responding to children who have experienced or who are at risk of experiencing ACES is a challenge facing the Early Education and Care field. This track provides training in the areas of challenging behaviors, trauma-informed care, human services, and helping children develop resilience, and prepares students to work in home-based support staff positions for young children with special needs and their families.

This program satisfies the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Early Childhood Education Transfer Compact for transfer to a state college or university bachelor’s degree program (nursery school to grade 2). Preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school teachers play a vital role in the development of children, introducing them to numbers, language, science, and social studies. They facilitate student learning through interactive class discussions, educational activities, “hands-on” learning, and one-on-one assistance. The need for qualified teachers continues to grow because of retirements, increasing student enrollments, and demands for smaller class sizes. Benefits of MWCC’s program include: day, evening, and distance learning options; day classes scheduled conveniently for parents of school-age children; opportunities to gain real world experience; and a strong liberal arts and sciences curriculum for more effective transfer.

This program satisfies the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education Elementary Education Transfer Compact for transfer to a state college or university bachelor’s degree program. Elementary school teachers play a vital role in the development of children, introducing them to numbers, language, science, and social studies. They facilitate student learning through interactive class discussions, educational activities, “hands-on” learning, and one-on-one assistance. The need for qualified teachers continues to grow because of retirements, increasing student enrollments, and demands for smaller class sizes.

This Early Childhood Certificate program prepares students, including those who are working in the field and want to continue their education, for professional work with children from birth to age 5. The program includes a series of courses designed to develop competencies in the areas of child development, curriculum planning, health and safety, and working with children with special needs. Direct work with and observation of children are an essential part of this certificate program. The certificate is designed to qualify students to meet the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care requirements for teachers in group settings. Certification may be in an infant/toddler or preschool setting based on the completion of a practicum in that setting.

MWCC’s Early Childhood Education CDA program gives 120 hours of supervised professional experience and academic training to students who want a professional credential to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to teach young children. The CDA program follows the curriculum for the National Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).

A student who holds a valid, current CDA credential may receive ten (10) credits that apply to the Early Childhood Education degree or certificate. Students who believe they may be eligible should contact the department chair to begin the process. The CDA certificate must be presented. Credits are applied as transfer credits to the student’s degree program, and there is no charge.