Kansas City Kansas Community College

Early Childhood Education

Dean:  Dr. Charles Wilson

Instructor of Early Childhood Education:  Kathleen McGowan

This program prepares students to work in child care centers, pre-schools, hospital infant care centers, recreation centers or family child care homes. Students receive hands-on training through lab experience at the Education Center Preschool and participate in internships in the community. Classes are held at the Education Center Preschool. With the assistance and approval of the instructor, students are responsible for finding their own internship site. Postsecondary students begin internships upon enrollment, and high school students begin second semester. Transportation to internship sites is the responsibility of the student. USD 500 students will be transported between TEC and the Education Center. Students must be able to lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Prerequisites include Kansas Dept. of Health assessment and negative TB test results.

Successful students will receive the TEC Early Childhood Education Certificate which meets the Kansas licensing regulations for child care providers in a child care center or family child care home. At the completion of the program, students may apply for the national Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

The Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate program is an option available at TEC designed to prepare those who are already early childhood educators with a minimum of 480 hours of experience who wish to earn the CDA credential. (The CDA is a nationally-recognized credential administered by the Council for Professional Recognition.) The CDA credential requires a total of 120 clock hours (1 month) of study in 8 content areas. (Call 913-627-4100 for details).