The Early Childhood Care/Education diploma program is a sequence of courses designed to prepare students for a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education. The program emphasizes a combination of early childhood care and education theory and practical application as well as general core competencies necessary for successful employment. Graduates have qualifications to be employed in early childhood care and education settings including child care centers, Head Start and Georgia Pre-K programs.
Students are accepted into the Early Childhood Care/Education diploma program every semester. A full-time student can complete this program in 4 semesters. To graduate, students must earn a minimum of 53 semester credit hours.
Prior to practicums or internships, students must submit to a GAPS fingerprint check. Students in the ECCE program are also required to obtain CPR and first aid certifications while enrolled in the program.
Employment Outlook
Career Traits/Requirements
Individuals wanting to enroll in the Early Childhood diploma program must be fond of children, dependable, reliable, flexible, patient, and positive.
Employment Opportunities
Graduates of the Early Childhood Care/Education diploma are prepared for employment as an early childhood care and education provider. Instruction and practical application of learned skills provide a broad occupational background which appeals to prospective employers.
Program Costs
Tuition & Fees: $6,624.00
Books & Supplies: $1,700.00
Additional Fees
Heartsaver Pediatric First Aid CPR AED: $22.00
Malpractice Insurance: $12.00
Fingerprinting: $47.75
(Costs are estimated and are subject to change.)
HOPE Career Grant: The HOPE Career Grant, formerly known as the Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant, is available to HOPE Grant-qualified students who enroll in select majors specifically aligned with one of 12 industries in which there are more jobs available in Georgia than there are skilled workers to fill them. To qualify, an OFTC student must be fully admitted to the college, enrolled in one of the approved programs and receiving the HOPE Grant for the same term. The amount of the HOPE Career Grant award is a fixed amount for each term of enrollment:
- 9 or more credit hours – $500/semester
- 3-8 credit hours – $250/semester
- 1-2 credit hours – $125/semester
- Commercial Truck Driving – $1,000 one time award
High School students in dual enrollment and joint enrollment are NOT eligible.
Admission Requirements
OFTC may accept a student’s official entrance score on the following validated assessment instruments if the scores meet the required minimums:
- COMPASS/ASSET,
- SAT,
- ACT,
- PSAT,
- PACT,
- Accuplacer/Accuplacer Next Generation/Companion,
- HOPE GPA after completion of 10th grade of 2.6 or higher, or High School GPA of 2.6 (for occupational programs), or 2.0 for Workforce Entry Level programs, or GED.
The College may accept transfer credit for other courses according to the College’s transfer policy.
Curriculum
General Education Courses
Choose one of the following:
Occupational Courses
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1112 | Curriculum and Assessment | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1113 | Creative Activities for Children | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1121 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum | 3 | 105 |
| ECCE 2115 | Language and Literacy | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 2116 | Math and Science | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 2202 | Social Issues and Family Involvement | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2203 | Guidance and Classroom Management | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2245 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship I | 6 | 270 |
| ECCE 2246 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II | 6 | 260 |
Program Pathway
Semester 1
| COLL 1060 | Introduction to College and Computers | 3 | 50 |
| ECCE 1101 | Introduction to Early Childhood Care and Education | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1103 | Child Growth and Development | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 1105 | Health, Safety and Nutrition | 3 | 60 |
| ENGL 1010 | Fundamentals of English I | 3 | 45 |
Semester 2
| ECCE 1112 | Curriculum and Assessment | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1113 | Creative Activities for Children | 3 | 60 |
| ECCE 1121 | Early Childhood Care and Education Practicum | 3 | 105 |
Choose one of the following:
Semester 3
Semester 4
| ECCE 2202 | Social Issues and Family Involvement | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2203 | Guidance and Classroom Management | 3 | 45 |
| ECCE 2246 | Early Childhood Care and Education Internship II | 6 | 260 |