EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Transform your passion for teaching into a career with our Early Childhood Education program. Learn to design curricula, develop educational activities, and manage an early childhood center. This fully online program offers certificates in both English and Spanish and includes hands-on training to meet Washington state licensing requirements.
This is an I-BEST program, which provides additional instructional support in math, reading, writing, and academic study skills.
CONTACT US
ENTRY ADVISING
Email: advising@rtc.edu
Phone: (425) 235-5840
BEATRICE FAVRE
Full-time Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: bfavre@rtc.edu
Phone: (425) 235-2202
HEATHER INGE
Adjunct Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: hinge@rtc.edu
KYRA STENSLIE
Adjunct Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: kstenslie@rtc.edu
Phone: (425) 235-2352 ext. 2098
SARAH SAMBAL
Adjunct Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: ssamball@rtc.edu
ALICIA BRENDER
Adjunct Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: abrender@rtc.edu
ANA ARANA
Adjunct Faculty - Early Childhood Education
Email: aarana@rtc.edu
Degrees & Certificates
Certificate of Completion
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to become a successful and professional early childhood educator working with children from birth to age 8. The ECE program at RTC provides students with the state required certificates to work as assistant teachers, lead teachers, center directors, family home operators and more. The ability to pass a background check is required.
Enrollment Point: Fall, Winter, Spring
Certificate DetailsCertificado de Finalización
El programa de Educación Infantil (ECE) prepara a los estudiantes con los conocimientos y habilidades necesarios para convertirse en educadores infantiles exitosos y profesionales que trabajan con niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 8 años. El programa de ECE en RTC proporciona a los estudiantes los certificados requeridos por el estado para trabajar como maestros asistentes, maestros principales, directores de centro, operadores de hogares familiares y más. Se requiere la capacidad de pasar una verificación de antecedentes.
Enrollment Point: Otoño, Invierno, Primavera
En EspañolAssociate of Applied Science
To earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, the student must complete all requirements for the Early Childhood Education certificate program (65 credits) plus 25 additional credits. To earn an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree, the student must complete all the requirements for the Early Childhood Education certificate program (65 credits) and 30 additional credits, with specific requirements in mathematics.
Enrollment Point: Fall, Winter, Spring
AAS Details AAS-T DetailsJob Market Outlook
Join us at our next Info Session.
OTHER INFORMATION
This program meets the Washington State Licensing Requirements for program supervisors, teachers and/or directors.
In order to complete the practicum work required for this program you need to be able to:
- PASSING DCYF/MERIT BACKGROUND CHECK REQUIRED
- Pass TB (tuberculosis) testing
- Provide immunization records or exemption documentation
- Provide personal identification
Please note, requirements to work or volunteer in childcare centers are subject to change. Individual childcare centers may have their own qualification requirements. It is best to check with the individual childcare centers for eligibility requirements.
I-BEST
This program has I-BEST support. Students are also required to complete the I-BEST Identification Survey, and will receive an email regarding I-BEST eligibility. Students who place into I-BEST
will also need to complete the LACES Intake Form.
Join us for an Early Childhood Education orientation:
Jan. 8, 2025
6–8 p.m.
Room B-121
This orientation is open to all new ECE students.
RTC EA Application. Please send completed forms to Heather Inge.
I-BEST Identification Survey
Early Childhood Education Certificate
Certificate of Completion: 65 credits
Enrollment Point: Fall, Winter, or Spring Quarter
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) program prepares students with the knowledge and skills required to become a successful and professional early childhood educator working with children from birth to age 8. The ECE program at RTC provides students with the state required certificates to work as assistant teachers, lead teachers, center directors, family home operators and more. The ability to pass a background check is required.
Students will learn how to create developmentally appropriate, nurturing, challenging, engaging, culturally responsive, and safe learning environments for young children and develop skills for building professional and positive relationships with all families. Through Hybrid and Online instruction this program builds the foundation for teaching and working effectively with children. Meaningful, interactive practice oriented learning during practicum field experience will help students apply their acquired skills in a workplace environment. Student success is our priority and hybrid classes have the ability to offer students additional resources such as: Washington's Integrated Basic Education and Skills Training Program (I-BEST) which is a nationally recognized model that uses a team-teaching approach to quickly boost students' literacy while they learn job skills or academic subjects. Students in a hybrid course come to campus at scheduled times and meet face-to-face with instructors and fellow students. Many class activities are conducted online, including course work assignments, discussions and group projects. Online courses are completed fully online. Students can take an online course when and where they choose. Instructors give assignments and due dates throughout the quarter to keep students on track. In some cases, students are required to interact with each other and the teacher online for a certain number of times during the week or quarter. Some online courses are entirely self-paced.
RTC offers stackable certificates to meet the WA State Dept. of Children, Youth and Families requirements for all roles in early learning professionals working in Family Home Early Learning Locations and Early Learning Centers. These stackable certificates, offer state-approved training that meet the staff qualifications and provide opportunities for educational and industry advancement to move upward in your career.
Students who successfully pass all competencies are awarded a Certificate of Completion (65 credits). Advanced standing is possible for Tech Prep students or for those able to present transcript evidence of prior training.
To earn an Associate of Applied Science degree, the student must complete all requirements for the Early Childhood Education certificate program (65 credits) plus 25 additional credits.
To earn an Associate of Applied Science-Transfer Degree, the student must complete all the requirements for the Early Childhood Education certificate program (65 credits) and 30 additional credits, with specific requirements in mathematics.
Program Learning Outcomes:
- Create a nurturing, caring and culturally responsive learning environment for all children.
- Develop and implement age appropriate programs that meet individual and group needs.
- Promote positive relationships with children and families valuing diversity.
- Apply health and safety standards.
- Demonstrate positive work ethic and professionalism.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills relevant for professionals in early childhood education.
Program Requirements
Below is the course sequence for students who enter in Fall Quarter. The course sequence for other entry points may vary.
Quarter 4
- ECC 192 - Practicum II
- AMATH 175 - Financial Math
- or a different class from General Education: Mathematics Distribution
GPA Requirements
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.0
- Minimum grade for each course: 2.0