Starting Salary
​25k

Job Growth:
​High Need

Salary
25k - 70k

Check

Out

Early

​Childhood
Course Description
Students will examine the physical, social/emotional and intellectual development of children.  Topics of study include: child development, child psychology, nutrition, social/emotional learning, special needs of children, and health and safety of children.  Students will design and implement lesson plans, care for children in a preschool environment, enhance professional written and oral communication skills, and gain hands-on experience through internships at local preschools, childcare centers and elementary schools.  The Early Childhood Program is located off-campus at the Ithaca Community Childcare Center (IC3) on Warren Road in Ithaca.

Concurrent Enrollment Credits
Tompkins Cortland Community College
-ECHD 110: Children and the Arts (3 credits)
-ECHD 125: Introduction to Early Childhood (3 credits)
Course Content
  • Creative learning activities
  • Guiding children effectively
  • Types of early childhood programs
  • Working with special needs children
  • Understanding health policies
  • Curriculum development
  • Creating a healthy environment
  • First aid and safety
  • Music and movement
  • Food and nutrition
  • Involving parents and families
  • Child development, birth to school age
Career Opportunities Can Include:
  • Preschool Teacher

  • Preschool Teacher Aide

  • Nanny
 
  • Day Care Provider
 
  • Kindergarten Teacher
​
  • Elementary Teacher

College Agreements with:

Taisha Dickerson

Early Childhood Teacher

Being a Career and Technology Educator has been one of the greatest accomplishments of my life.  Although I have always had a passion for working with young children, I have also taken a stake in grooming and developing people who may want to pursue a career in early childhood.  Like students here at TST BOCES, I started out in a work-based learning program at Ithaca High School, called the Tots and Teens program.  Through this experience, I was able to learn about child development, obtain hands-on field experience with preschool aged children, build valuable work, and field related skills, and eventually pursue a career working in early childhood education for over 26 years. I look forward to working with students and figuring out ways to challenge them and maximize their potential.  I love that I get to also teach life lessons, and skills that will help students in their future pursuits, even if they choose not to go into the field.  I believe that learning is a life-long pursuit and that students are teaching me just as much as I am teaching them.  We learn from each other. When I am not teaching, I enjoy traveling, spending time in nature, attending local concerts and events and spending time with my family, including my children and grandchildren.
 

Testimonials

Jeanne Malone
​Program Director Ithaca Community Childcare Center

"IC3 values the TST BOCES Early Childhood Program!  The students learn about child development, creating curriculum and classroom guidance techniques that they then apply in our classrooms.  Students gain hands-on experience engaging and interacting with children.  This program can be the beginning of a career for students!  It offers them the opportunity to work in the field of early childhood education and we are excited to be a part of it."

Auburn Noce
2017 Trumansburg Alum

“Going to the Career and Tech Center helped me get a lot of experience with working with children by having many internships at various locations. I was able to develop a full resume that many people do not have when they graduate from High School. I learned about how to be a good teacher and had so much fun while doing it. Mrs. Sutherland and Ms. Sharp are amazing teachers who I am so grateful to have learned from.”

Fatima Smith 
 2021 Ithaca Alum

"I chose to attend the Early Childhood program because children have always been a big part of my life. I have always had an interest in learning more about children and their development. I like how we work with children and learn about what they like and where they are coming from. The skills I'm learning currently will help me in my future because I can help children better themselves and help them learn more about themselves."

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