Early Education & Care
Early Education and Care is a growing and ever changing field that includes the care and teaching of children from birth through age 7. The Early Education and Care program is a Chapter 74 approved comprehensive competency-based 4-year program in which students will experience a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on experience with children from ages 6 weeks old through 7 years of age. Students in our program will understand and be familiar with many aspects of child development from infancy through elementary school years. They will be well versed in health and safety topics pertaining to children and become knowledgeable about current events and developments in the early childhood field. Upon completion of the program, they will have a thorough understanding of early childhood math and science concepts, music, movement, art, creativity and understand the ways in which children learn. Students will have classroom experience where they will interact with children and facilitate learning under the guidance of experienced teachers and their classroom instructors.
Students successfully completing the Early Education and Care program (EEC) have the option of securing gainful employment, continuing formal studies at the post-secondary level, or pursuing a combination of both. Students will learn in the classroom, and then be able to practice the knowledge and skills learned in the District's onsite integrated PreSchool.
Meet the Instructor
Ms. Nina Ryan (ryann@lpsma.net)
Ms. Ryan has many years of experience in the field working in multiple early education settings as a child care worker, teacher, program director, developmental specialist, and early childhood center owner. Her real life experiences allow her to provide the students with the knowledge and skills necessary to choose a career pathway that is right for them.
Career Opportunities
Infant/Toddler Teacher
PreSchool Teacher
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist
Public School Paraprofessional
Nanny/Au'Pair
Family Childcare Provider
Massachusetts EEC Teacher
Massachusetts EEC Director
Early Intervention Developmental Specialist
Social Worker
Family/Child Advocate
Related Service Provider (OT, PT, Speech & Language)
Board Certified Behavior Analyst
Elementary/Special Education Teacher
Guidance/Adjustment Counselor
Course Objectives
Knowledge of health and safety standards within the field
Describe, at a fundamental level, how young children learn, what is taught, and how teachers work with children and their families
Apply the guidance and discipline concepts applicable to young children’s behavior
Develop and implement age-appropriate curriculum for young children, fostering creativity, social-emotional development, language and literacy skills, self-help skills, and physical development
Demonstrate an understanding of the partnerships with families and others that teachers must create in order to achieve the best results for the children in their classroom
Ability to examine and assess the effects the physical environment and materials have on children in an early childhood education program
Knowledge of the Massachusetts Department Of Early Education and Care regulations as well as the Massachusetts Guidelines for Early Learning Frameworks.
Certifications
First Aid
CPR/AED (Adult/Infant)
OSHA 10-Hour General Industry Certification
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care Infant/Toddler and Preschool Teacher licensure preparation
ServSafe
Asthma and EPI