Early Childhood Education 1 Honors course is preparing students to show their understanding of concepts, identify the nature, definitions, purpose of, and rationale for early childhood in a multicultural, democratic society.  This course will address the whole child, which includes, cognitive development, social and emotional development, physical development, and language development, as well as the state standards from A1-A43 and the 8 key areas of professional knowledge. 

Early Childhood Education 1 is designed to provide students with an opportunity to actively explore and observe the world of children and prepare them for educational and administrative careers in the field. This course provides an in-depth study of career paths, developmentally appropriate practices, curriculum development, safe and healthy learning environments, and collaborative relationships. Integration of the Family and Consumer Sciences student organization, Family Careers, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), enhances this curriculum.

Course content covers the knowledge and skills of

• Child Growth and Development
• Health, Nutrition, and Safety
• DAP Developmentally Appropriate Practices
• Guidance
• Family and community relationships
• Diversity
• Professionalism
• Curriculum
• Career Paths and Employment

Upon completion of this program, students will be prepared to understand developmentally appropriate practices from children's social, emotional, language, and physical personality theories.  Upon entering the workforce, students will have several certifications and will have passed the Early childhood assessment and pass the Para pro assessment examination, which will further their education to become early childhood teachers or child care facility owners and operators.

• Dual credit opportunities TBD. 
• Articulation TBD

Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:

• Use observation to assess child development, curriculum success, an environmental standards of quality, and then implement program adjustments based on assessment outcomes.
• Identify the patterns of development for children ages zero to grade three in the areas of physical, cognitive, social, emotional and language.
• Understand and implement health and safety practices in environmental concerns and in individual child cleansing and feeding routines.
• Create and maintain an environment of care and learning specific to young infants and newly mobile children.
• Select equipment and material conductive to the physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs of infants to children age 8.
• Plan and implement a curriculum based on a blend of routine and play activities. 

Early Childhood Education 2

Early Childhood Education 2 is an advanced course focusing on the competencies needed to plan, guide, and care for young children in a safe, healthy, and developmentally appropriate environment.  Students can acquire certification in Advanced Child Care, CPR, and First Aid.  Students interact with professionals in the field and participate in various school-to-work activities.  Student laboratory/field experiences may be school-based or in the community and include job shadowing and internships.  This course may be taken for dual credit or may be articulated to local technical colleges (ECD 135: Health, Safety, and Nutrition; ECD 132 Creative Experiences for Young Children, ECD 243 Field Placement; ECD 101: Introduction to Early Childhood Development).  Students who successfully complete ECD 101 will be eligible for the South Carolina Childcare Credential (T.E.A.C.H.).  Integration of the Family and Consumer Sciences student organization, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), greatly enhances this curriculum.

ECE 2 students should be proficient in: 

• Using knowledge of child development and learning in context to create a caring community of learners (Standard 1)
• Engaging in reciprocal partnerships with families and fostering community connections (Standard 2)
• Observing, documenting, and assessing children’s development and learning (Standard 3)
• Teaching to enhance each child’s development and learning (Standard 4)
• Understanding and using content areas to plan and implement an engaging curriculum designed to meet goals that are important and meaningful for children, families, and the community in the present as well as the future (Standard 5)

Introduction to Teaching Honors

Introduction to Teaching Honors Level 1 prepares students for employment and/or post-secondary opportunities in the education field. The program provides instruction in the teaching profession, communication skills, human growth and development, planning and instructional strategies, and school-societal relationships. Technology skills are required throughout the coursework. Participation in student organizations Future Educators Association (FEA) and Family, Careers, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) greatly enhance the learning experience.

Students will be provided the opportunity and the knowledge to be prepared for the following industry-recognized certifications:

* These certifications are given at the State Testing site

Advanced Child Care Training
Child Development Associate
Career Safe Osha 10
ECE Credential ECD 101
ECE Pre-Professional Assessment Certification
Ever-Fi Financial Literacy
ParaPro Assessment *
ServSafe—Food Handler
Praxis Core *
SC 15-hr. Health and Safety Certification
First Aid/ CPR/ AED
Career Preparedness

Students have completed WBL experiences with Woods Road CDC, RN Beck CDC, Delmae Heights Elementary, and Green Wood Elementary. These experiences give the students an opportunity to "test drive" a career. This empowers the student with the knowledge that they love the career or that it may not be for them, allowing them to change course to a career that best fit them. Either way the student will save time and money. If they love it the student will already have experience, contacts, references for the industry allowing them to start earning money sooner and likely at a higher than entry level. If they don't love it the student will not waist any more time pursuing a career that is not a good fit for them.

The Career and Technical Education Advisory Committees are made up of volunteers who agree to serve as advisors to one or more career and technical programs. Members include representatives from business, labor, community agencies, faculty, students and other members. The primary purpose of advisory committees is to provide direction and guidance for the specific career and technical area within the school to strengthen and enhance the success of CTE programs. By working closely with the business and labor communities, we continue to provide high quality workforce training and education to our students so they will succeed in today's job market.

The committees support and strengthen the partnership between business, labor, the community, and education. The committees make recommendations that will strengthen and help to expand the curriculum to improve the quality of program(s). Members provide valuable input in areas such as curriculum development, industry relevant certifications, student recruitment and placement, staff development, equipment and software recommendations.

                           Greenwood Elementary 

         RNBeck Child Development Center