“What inspires me most is watching the students transform a learning activity in an exciting adventure for the children.”
-- Bonnie Noonan, Program Head
Program Overview
Becoming an early childhood educator takes an equal amount of heart, knowledge, and skill. As a child care provider or preschool teacher, you have the responsibility for educating and nurturing young children from birth to age eight in a variety of early childhood settings. At the College of Western Idaho you will have the opportunity to develop your teaching skills right on campus in our own college Preschool Laboratory. Additional practical experience in community early childhood facilities expands career opportunities during college and after graduation.
The program curriculum covers a range of topics related to child development and teaching practice. Not only will you learn how to teach young children but you will also learn to how to create safe and healthy learning environments, effectively partner with parents in their child’s care, and develop professional policies to guide center and classroom procedures.
What will you learn to do?
- Understand the growth and developmental stages of young children
- Develop and deliver age appropriate curriculum in literacy, math, science, social studies, art and music
- Provide quality care and education for young children from birth to age eight
- Set up and maintain a healthy, safe learning environment
- Incorporate good nutrition into meals, snacks and food experiences
- Guide and foster positive social and emotional development of children in groups
- Partner with parents in their child’s education
- Learn to include children with diverse backgrounds as well as special needs into classrooms
- Supervise and administer all aspects of an early childhood program
- Become a professional and advocate for young children and their families
What kind of degree(s) can you earn?
- Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) – approximately two years
- Advanced Technical Certificate (ATC) – approximately 16 months
- Technical Certificate (TC) – approximately one year
- Postsecondary Technical Certificate (PTC) – usually less than one year
What else should you know?
Students can start the program fall, spring or summer semester. Classes are offered during the day and evening as well as online. Students can take classes on a part-time or full-time schedule. This program involves classroom instruction as well as practical experience in our Preschool Laboratory or in early childhood facilities throughout the Treasure Valley. Students may use their own early childhood classroom to complete some practicums with children if the program meets certain requirements.
The Early Childhood Education, Associate of Applied Science degree transfers toward a Bachelor of Applied Science degree at Boise State University.
Requirements
Prospective and new Early Childhood Education majors should contact Program Chair, Bonnie Noonan, bonnienoonan@cwidaho.cc or 208.562.2367, to schedule a meeting. At the meeting students will learn about the program requirements (see list below), discuss career goals, transfer opportunities, and begin the advising process. Practicum courses require instructor permission for registration and an initial meeting with the Program Chair.
Additional requirements upon enrollment include:
- Proof of Criminal History Background check with fingerprinting
- Current Pediatric CPR and First Aid training certificate
- Proof of negative Tuberculosis test
- High school graduate or hold a GED
The Program Chair will provide information to assist students in meeting the requirements.
Instructor Info
Program Chair:
Bonnie Noonan
208.562.2367
bonnienoonan@cwidaho.cc
Instructor:
Jean Britton
jeanbritton@cwidaho.cc
Career Info
What kind of career can you expect?
Graduates work in child care centers, preschools, and Head Start programs as both assistant and lead teachers. Additionally, graduates begin their own business by starting family child care homes or child care centers and preschools. Career opportunities outside of teaching include becoming family educators and advocates, child life assistants, public school assistant teachers, and developmental techs in developmental disabilities agencies.
Work environments are busy and high energy with an emphasis on interaction between children and adults. The personal fulfillment of helping young children and their families is a tremendous benefit to professionals in this field.
What skills and traits would be helpful in this field?
- A desire to serve others
- Enjoyment and appreciation of young children
- Ability to work collaboratively with other adults
- Patience, energy and enthusiasm
- Creativity and flexibility
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Desire to learn and reflect on own personal growth
CDA Courses
The Early Childhood Education program provides the courses to meet the educational component of the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential of the Council for Professional Recognition. The program provides courses on a regular basis to meet the requirements for the Preschool, Infant/Toddler, and Family Child Care CDA. The program will upon special request provide the coursework for the Home Visitor CDA.
These courses meet the CDA 120 hours of the education:
- ECED 100 Foundations of Early Childhood Education, 2 credits
- ECED 105 Teaching Young Children I, 4 credits
- ECED 183 Professional Development, 1 credit
Additionally, CDA students take ECED 199 CDA Seminar for supervision and support to complete the Professional Portfolio and Family Questionnaires. Students who are awarded a CDA using college coursework for the educational component and decide to continue in the Early Childhood Education program may be eligible to challenge ECED 106 Teaching Young Children II.
If you are interested in learning more about the CDA coursework at CWI, contact Program Chair, Bonnie Noonan, bonnienoonan@cwidaho.cc or 208.562.2367. Please do not contact the One Stop about the CDA because it is not a CWI degree but a national credential from the Council for Professional Recognition.
To learn more about the types of CDA credentials and steps to achieving the credential, visit www.cdacouncil.org.
Preschool Lab
The Early Childhood Education Preschool is located in the Nampa Campus Multipurpose Building in Nampa. The mission of the Preschool Laboratory is to provide a model environment to train college students in Early Childhood Education, while providing a quality preschool experience for preschool-aged children.
2013-2014 Academic Year Preschool Sessions
Two sessions will be available in the morning this academic year. Afternoon sessions may be added Spring 2014 semester.
Monday & Wednesday 9:30 to 11:45 a.m. OR Tuesday & Thursday 9:30 to 11:45 a.m.
Tuition for each session is $225 per semester. Children are enrolled for the academic year (two semesters) in the session. A $40 enrollment fee is required at enrollment which is applied to the first semester tuition.
Enrollment Priorities and Procedures
Children must be three by September 1 to attend Preschool. Priority is given to children of CWI students, faculty, and staff. Children from the Nampa community are welcome as space permits.
Waiting List Applications
Applications can be mailed or emailed to Bonnie Noonan, Preschool Director.
College of Western Idaho
Bonnie Noonan
MS 7000
P.O. Box 3010
Nampa, ID 83653
For more information about the Preschool contact Bonnie Noonan at 208.562.2367 or email bonnienoonan@cwidaho.cc.
