Early Childhood Education

This program is designed to provide attitudes, skills, and knowledge for people who work with young children and their families in a variety of early childhood programs. The Certificate of Competence (C.O.) or Certificate of Achievement (C.A.) prepares students for support roles in early childhood programs. An Associate in Science (A.S.) degree prepares students to be teachers or lead practitioners in early childhood programs.

Students taking Laboratory or Practicum courses are required to complete and provide documentation for the following:

Fingerprinting through DHS- there is a small fee
Criminal History Check and Child Welfare clearances
TB Clearance
First Aid & CPR Training
State licensing Child Care Registry

This degree is fully articulated the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science (with a concentration in Early Childhood Education) offered through the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu via Distance Education. There are also articulation agreements with Chaminade University of Honolulu and UH Manoa. Transfers to UH Hilo should confer with the UH Hilo counselors for the most current articulation possibilities. Students interested in any of these programs are encouraged to meet with an Early Childhood advisor in their first semester to review program requirements.

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Degrees & Certificates Offered

Certificate of Competence (CO)
Certificate of Achievement (CA)
Associate in Science Degree (AS)
Initial Early Childhood Education (CO)

What You Will Learn

PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES

Upon successful completion, students are prepared to:

Use knowledge of child development and of individual children to create healthy, challenging learning environments, and experiences.
Build respectful partnerships with children, families, colleagues, and communities.
Build positive relationships and guide children through supportive interactions.
Observe, document, and assess children’s development and learning in partnerships with families.
Plan, implement, and assess learning experiences using appropriate content, concepts, and methods.
Use reflective practices to base decisions and actions on ethical and professional standards.
Advocate for children and their families within the program.

Course Learning Outcomes

Program Faculty

Janet Smith
Phone: 934-2629
Email: janetasm@hawaii.edu
Brenda Watanabe
Phone: 934-2637
Email: brendawa@hawaii.edu

CHILDREN'S CENTER STAFF

Roselyn Agno
Phone: 934-2624
Email: nitura@hawaii.edu
Channel Babagay
Phone: 934-2630
Email: channele@hawaii.edu

Advisory Board

The Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at Hawai‘i CC are an integral part of the local community and reflect its day-to-day life. Close cooperation among the faculty, employers, and employees in the community is maintained. One of the most effective formal means of providing for this type of cooperation is the Program Advisory Council. These groups advise their respective programs of training needs and new developments in the field. Councils include employers, alumni, and others knowledgeable about the field.

Early Childhood Education Program Advisory Council:

Michelle Flemming, Director, Developmental Preschool, Hawai'i Island YWCA
Tamia McKeague, Senior Project Manager, Kamehameha Schools - Hi'ialo Group
Napua Rosehill, Strategy Consultant, Kamehameha Schools
Paula Seguerre Yanagi, Executive Director, Ka Hale O Na Keiki Preschool
Shana Young, Direct Services Specialist, Queen Lili'uokalani Trust

CTE Annual Notice of Nondiscrimination

The University of Hawai‘i does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, age, color, national origin, or disability. For inquiries regarding our nondiscrimination policies, please contact your campus designee noted in the link below.

UHCC applies an open access policy, with program admission based upon the completion of applicable course/testing prerequisites. The lack of English skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in CTE programs.

Please read about the entire nondiscrimination policy, presented in 14 primary languages.