Early Childhood Education Certificate (ECE)

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 you to work with children ages 0-5 or continue your education. 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, options to begin a career or continue education after graduation, opportunities to gain real world experience, and many excellent, local practicum sites.

Campus/format: This program can be completed during the day or evening at the Gardner Campus.

State certification: After completing the degree, students can apply for Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Teacher certification. EEC certification indicates that students are qualified to work in childcare facilities.

Helpful hints: To meet Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) requirements, students should attain First Aid certification. Childcare facilities are required to have one CPR certified professional always present, therefore, students who attain their certification will be even more marketable.

Transfer options: Some courses may be applied to MWCC’s Early Childhood Degree programs. Consult with your academic advisor.

Special requirements: Technical standards must be met with or without accommodations.

Career options: Graduates can work with children ages 0-5 in Head Start, preschool, daycare programs, or as classroom aides. They can also work toward becoming classroom aides or childcare directors or administrators.

Earning potential: $24,157 to $32,995 per year, according to a graduate survey.

top of page

Technical Standards*

*general information about technical standards and accommodation.

Students entering these programs must be able to demonstrate the ability to:

1. Comprehend textbook material at the 11th grade level.
2. Communicate and assimilate information either in spoken, printed, signed, or computer voice format.
3. Gather, analyze, and draw conclusions from data.
4. Work as part of a team, as in team teaching or parent meetings.
5. Function as a team leader, including planning curriculums and daily schedules.
6. Maintain cleanliness and personal grooming consistent with close personal contact.
7. Remain calm, rational, decisive, and in control at all times, especially during emergency situations.
8. Identify behaviors that would endanger a person’s safety, and intervene quickly in a crisis situation with an appropriate solution.
9. Exhibit social skills appropriate to professional interactions.
10. Function without causing harm to self or others if under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medications.
11. Respond to distress sounds or visual distress cues of children and emergency alarms.