The Early Childhood Education program is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for employment as early childhood educators, lead preschool teachers, child development specialists, and family day care home operators. If you are a person who likes caring  for and working with young children in a classroom setting, this program may be for you.

Full completers will receive the Early Childhood Education Professional Certificate (ECPC) and fulfill basic competencies towards the National Child Development Associate (CDA)

► Department of Children and Families (DCF) -9 required assessments
► ECPC-Early Childhood Professional Certificate
► Florida Staff Credential eligible
► National CDA eligible (additional requirements).

Preparation for the DCF coursework, literacy training and competency exams to obtain the ECPC.

Students are required to create and maintain a Professional Resource File which supports the ECPC guidelines.

Hands on experiences are gained through assignments in the Little Indians Preschool Program. Included are the following major areas of training: rules and regulations governing child care; health, safety and nutrition; child abuse and neglect; child growth and development; behavior guidance techniques, and coursework in child development appropriate practices.

► Child Care Provider
► Preschool Teacher & Assistant
► Family Child Care Home Operator
► Nanny

► 600 clock hours 1.5 Semesters

► The following table illustrates the program structure:

Course #	OCP	Course Name	Hours
HEV0870	A	Child Care Worker 1	150
HEV0871	B	Child Care Worker 2	150
HEV0872	C	Teacher Aide (Preschool)	150
HEV0873	D	Preschool Teacher	150

► TABE Assessment:
Reading 9.0     Math 9.0     Language 9.0
*Some students qualify for exemption from this requirement.

► Fall and Spring
► Monday through Friday
8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

► 18 years of age

► High School Diploma or Equivalent

► Criminal record background screening and fingerprinting

► CPR for Adult, Child and Infant

► First Aid Certification

► Click for info

► Click for info

► Contact us

coming soon

Hands on Learning

Within the completion of this program you will have more than 400 hours of hands-on learning with pre-school aged children. This includes:

One on One Learning

Teaching intellectual skills through one-on-one teacher-to-student interaction. Skill development activities are an essential part of our Early Childhood program.

Gross Motor Skill Development and Outdoor Playtime

Going on nature walks provides concrete experiences within a safe and familiar environment. Playing outdoors is a form of exercise that promotes well-being and wholesome physical development. Using movement and music throughout learning strengthens muscular development.

Free Center Choice and Imaginative Play

Free center choice during the day sparks creativity and imagination. As children play and pretend, they explore relationships between family members, friends and community members and learn more about how people interact. During free center time, the adult students are able to deepen practical skill in teaching young children. This is a vital time to promote all developmental skills by using art, blocks, dramatic play, sand, water, puzzles and developmentally appropriate manipulatives to aid in learning.

As children play pretend, they explore relationships between family members, friends and co-workers and learn more about how people interact.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. What is the goal of the Early Childhood Program?
The goal of the Early Childhood Program at iTECH is to provide secondary and post secondary students the privilege and opportunity to become certified Early Childhood providers.

Q. How are students educated within the program?
Students are expected to receive classroom instruction and laboratory training to develop/enhance individual knowledge and skills to effectively observe, monitor, teach and provide all Early Childhood services to the pre-school aged children under his/her supervision.

Q. What expectations are placed on each student?
Each student is expected to be prepared for learning, adhere to all academic and discipline principles.

Students are expected to be professional, provide a safe and nurturing environment to all pre-school students.

Students are required to be in attendance on a consistent basis and on time. Make up instruction and training will be provided in situations of illness and emergencies as needed.