Early Childhood Education

About Our Program:

The Early Childhood Education program provides the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the childcare industry. The content includes, but is not limited to:

  • Planning a safe, healthy, supportive, and respectful learning environment
  • Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development (including literacy)
  • Positive ways to support and promote children’s social and emotional development
  • Strategies to establish productive, positive relationships with families
  • Strategies to manage effective program operations
  • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
  • Observing and recording children’s behavior including an understanding of screening and assessment
  • Principles of child growth and development

Admission Requirements:

  • 16 years of age or older and not currently enrolled in any K-12 program
  • Accredited High school diploma or GED
  • Occupational Interest
  • FDLE fingerprint clearance DCF Level 2 mandated for working hours

Program Structure:

This program is comprised of 120 hours of classroom instruction/ 480 hours of direct work with preschool age children and is a planned sequence of instruction consisting of four (4) Occupational Completion Points (OCPs):

OCPCOURSEHOURS
OCP AChild Care Worker 1150 Hours
OCP BChild Care Worker 2150 Hours
OCP CTeacher Aide (Preschool)150 Hours
OCP DPreschool Teacher150 Hours
Total Hours: 600

Full Program Completion:

  • Completion of all program competencies including: DCF 30-hour Child Care Worker certification (5 DCF Test Certificates), DCF 10-hour Pre-School Certification, DCF 5-hour Early Literacy Program, and Adult and Pediatric CPR
  • Minimum basic-skills TABE® test: Math 9, Reading 9, Language 9; or
  • Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)

Employment Opportunities:

  • Childcare Worker
  • Teacher Aide (Preschool)
  • Preschool Teacher

Salary:

The average wage for this career in Florida is $23.63 hourly or $49,160 annually.

Employment Outlook:

Employment of childcare workers is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030.

Financial Aid:

Financial Aid is available for those who qualify. To apply, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid at www.fafsa.gov. Visit the financial aid office for more information.

Program Hours:

LOCATIONCOURSE'S SCHEDULE
South Dade Technical College
28300 S.W. 152nd Avenue
Leisure City, FL 33033
(305) 247-7839
Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

Gainful Employment Disclosure:

Early Childhood Education

This program is designed to be completed in:24 weeks
Program cost if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting but may have changed. In-state: $1,906.00
600 hours x $2.56= $1,536.00

Out-of-state: $6,520.00
600 hours x $10.25= $6,150.00
Fees $35.00 x 2 terms= $70.00
Books and supplies= $300.00
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $ 0 of debt.
The following States do not have licensure requirements for this profession: Florida
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

Source

Licensed Childcare