Early Childhood Education
Early childhood educators enjoy a rewarding career helping the youngest children grow, learn and gain new skills. They facilitate learning and experiences that advance the physical, emotional, intellectual and social development of the children in their care.
Once You Complete the Program
After completing the program, graduates seek employment in private and public child care centers; in classroom settings such as pre-kindergarten, Head Start centers, kindergarten, early grades in elementary schools, and private nursery schools and preschools (with typically developing children and children with developmental delays and disabilities); in home settings working with students and their families in Early Head Start, family and group child care homes, and in private household child care.
Early Childhood Education A.S.
Gain management and technical skills in many high-demand career fields, with the option to continue toward a Bachelor’s Degree at IRSC. For course descriptions, see the College Catalog.
Technical (College Credit) Certificates
Earn valuable Technical (College Credit) Certificates at the same time you’re completing an A.S. Degree—get double the value and additional credentials by completing these blocks of courses. For course descriptions, see the College Catalog.
Career Training
Students enrolled in Career and Technical Education programs build increasingly sophisticated skills in 150-hour modules. For course descriptions, see the College Catalog.
Career Coach Employment Outlook
Licensure Requirements
Indian River State College offers a number of different degrees and certificates leading to professional licensure in the state of Florida. Some professions require both a degree and the successful completion of additional criteria such as licensure exams, field placements, or clinical hours. Student eligibility to apply to sit for the DCF introductory child care training based on educational credentials or passing of competency examinations in the State of Florida is defined in s. 402.305(2), F.S., and also includes possession of a valid form of identification and a social security number. Please visit the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) website to ensure your eligibility: https://www.myflfamilies.com/childcaretraining.
If you are a student who may choose to reside outside of Florida or one of the compact states after graduation, IRSC cannot confirm whether this degree program meets educational requirements for professional licensure/certification in your state. Some states have requirements in addition to the program’s curriculum. If you wish to take the Child Care Training Competency Exams in another state, contact the board of education in the state to determine whether this degree will meet their licensure requirements. Completion of the Early Childhood Education Level One requirements makes you eligible to apply to take the Child Care Training Competency Exams in Florida. To meet minimum DCF requirements, students must compete 45 hours of training (in-person or online) in the seven subject areas and pass the credentialing exams within 15 months of initial employment.
