Early Childhood Education

A Hands-on Graduates of the Early Childhood Approach for Education program at LWTech Early Childcare learn to: Professionals • Develop, implement and evaluate age-appropriate programs for young Early childhood children Education (ECE) is a field of study for those who • Observe and record child enjoy working with growth and development children and want to make a difference in • Plan curriculum activities their lives. ECE teachers based on the children’s work closely with interest and development children and their • Build connections with families to build a solid children and their families foundation for future learning experiences. If • Implement strategies to you are interested in guide behavior starting a career in early childhood education, • Supervise staff, plan and come and visit our program! monitor a budget, and The ECE program allows students to complete the ECE State guide a program Certificate in 4 quarters and an AAS degree in 2 years. The state • Follow both NAEYC and approved stackable certificates to provide students with the the Department of Early opportunity to earn certificates as they work toward their AAS Learning (DEL) Standards degree. The stackable ECE certificates offer students the opportunity to specialize in Infant Toddler Care, School Age • Gain awareness of current Care, Family Childcare and Administration. issues and trends in the The coursework is designed to enhance the student’s teaching ECE field experiences with young children. Students are provided with active learning experiences, application based assignments and • Develop goals to continue time to collaborate with their peers. The ECE classes can also be growing professionally used to fulfill MERIT training hours as part of the ongoing professional development requirement for licensing.

11605 132nd Avenue NE Kirkland, WA 98034 (425) 739-8300 | [email protected] LWTech.edu/ece

Program Highlights Career Opportunities The Early Childhood Education program at LWTech provides The program prepares students an avenue for those employed in childcare to earn an Early for multiple employment Childhood certificate or AAS degree. Students who are new to opportunities including: the field can gain valuable experience to begin their teaching • Childcare provider for career. The coursework features hybrid classes (in person and children from birth to online) as well as evening and Saturday classes to accommodate 8 years working students. Morning classes are also an option. The required practicum work and assignments can be completed at • Preschool Lead or the student's place of employment (licensed childcare) or at the Assistant Teacher on-campus Early Learning Center. • Childcare Program The faculty work with the students, both inside and outside Supervisor the classroom setting as mentors, assisting them in their professional application of developmentally appropriate • Childcare Center teaching strategies. Director

Learn from Industry Experts • Family Child Care Provider Shanti Connors earned an M.A. and B.A. in Human Development, an A.S. in Human Services with an ECE option • Professional Nanny and has a Washington State K-8 Teaching Certificate. For over Educational Assistant in 20 years Shanti has worked with children and their families in a • elementary schools variety of programs, including Headstart, private preschools, elementary schools, cooperative preschool programs and parent education. She is also an approved M.E.R.I.T. trainer. Ninder Gill has been teaching at LWTech since 2009. She has a wealth of experience and education in the Early Childhood Education field. She was a lead teacher and director at an urban center in Seattle and completed her Masters of Education at University of Washington, Bothell. Brandi Renis earned an A.S. ECE, A.A. Business, B.S. Human Services and Management and an M.A. in Teaching and Learning with Technology. She has experience as a preschool teacher, director and licensor.

Find out more! Shanti Connors (425) 739-8177 [email protected] LWTech.edu/ece

Lake Washington Institute of Technology values equality of opportunity, human dignity, racial, cultural and ethnic diversity both as an educational institution and as an employer. The institute provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, creed, color, national origin, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, genetic information, or veteran status. The institute complies with applicable laws prohibiting discrimination and harassment in employment, educational programs and admission. Inquiries regarding compliance procedures and complaints may be directed to the Executive Director, Human Resources, Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX Coordinator, 11605 132nd Ave. NE, Kirkland, WA 98034, (425) 739-8212 or (425) 739-8122 (TDD). 10/16