Dual Enrollment - Offered jointly with Paul D. Camp Community College
Course Codes: 8285/8286
Grades: 11-12
Two-Year Program
High School Credits: Three (3) credits 1^st year; Three (3) credits 2^nd year
Dual Credits - 10 credits year-one; 12 credits year-two                                                                                                                                                                                            Required GPA: (2.0)   

Students who want to make a difference in the lives of children and families, are creative and organized, enjoy working with children, and possess strong communication skills should explore exciting training and career opportunities in early childhood education!

The Early Childhood Education program is a two (2) year program that prepares students to enter the workforce upon graduation in a variety of settings and/or continue training through post-secondary education.

Students learn about child development, nutrition, safety and dealing with emergencies, caring for children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and others with special needs), planning experiences for learning, and creating a good learning environment. Students are provided with hands-on experience working in preschool classrooms.

Participation in the program enables students to earn the NOCTI credential (National Occupational Competency Testing Institute) Early Childhood Education and Care - Basic Assessment, which demonstrates students' understanding of concepts and knowledge needed to succeed in the area of Early Childhood Education. Additionally, students are eligible to earn 22 hours of dual-credit toward an Associate’s Degree at Paul D. Camp.

Occupations: Child Care Worker; Director, Early Childhood Education Center; Elementary School Teacher; Kindergarten Teacher; Teacher Assistant

Typical Salary in Virginia: $20,610 - $55,350 depending on education level and specialization
National Estimated Salary: $29,780

Employment Outlook: Employment of childcare workers and preschool teachers is expected to grow by an estimated 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected because of increases in the number of children who require childcare and continued focus on the importance of early childhood education.