Early Childhood Education

Welcome to Early Childhood Education &
Education Paraprofessional Programs

Do you love working with young children and their families? Enroll today in Skagit Valley College's Early Childhood Education program and prepare for a fulfilling career doing work that you enjoy.

Your Program Options

  • Associate in Technical Arts degree
    • Work with certified teachers to support education & programs
    • Accepted for transfer by City University & The Evergreen State College
  • Associate of Applied Science degree
    • Qualifies you to be an Early Childhood Education teacher
    • Accepted for transfer to specific four-year college programs
  • Assoc. in Arts University & College Transfer degree electives courses
  • Education Paraprofessional
  • Child Development Associate Certificate preparation courses
  • One-year Certificate in Early Childhood Education
  • Individually Developed Course Programs in specific ECE disciplines

You May Study

Child Development
Child Abuse & Neglect
Nutrition in Early Education
Observation, Records & Assessment
School, Home & Legal Issues
Curriculum Exploration
Diversity in Early Childhood Education
Working with Bilingual Children

Instructional Technology
Human Relations & Communication for ECE Professionals
Working With the Exceptional Child
Guidance & Behavior for Classroom
Administration of ECE and Childcare Programs
Language & Literature for Children
Practicum & Seminar

Why Skagit Valley College

The Early Childhood Education program options allow you to design coursework for a career path that fits your needs.

  • Highly qualified instructors with broad experience in ECE
  • Diverse program options: degrees, certificates and college transfers
  • Internships provide real-world experience
  • National Association for the Education of Young Children qualified
  • Washington State Teaching Certificate endorsement courses
  • Washington State Core Competencies and Skill Standards for Paraeducators qualified
  • Federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 2001 standards for paraeducator qualified

Career Opportunities

Your career choices in early childhood education are varied and growing. Early care and education settings include:

Teacher Family Home Visitor
Childcare Administrator
Head Start Administrator
ECE Program Administrator
Playground Assistant

Teacher Aide
Preschool Program Administrator
Bilingual/Migrant Paraeducator Interpreter or Tutor
Guidance Specialist
Special Education Assistant

Entry into the Program

Students may enter the program at the beginning of any quarter. For specific information contact the Admissions Office or the De-partment Chair. Read more

According to Washington State Law RCW 43.43.830, any person with a positive criminal history for "crimes" against persons' is not allowed to work with children. Background checks of criminal history are required of all students who work with children in any setting. Participants in this program will be required to provide a disclosure statement which will be submitted to the Washington State Patrol in order to complete a criminal history background check.

All ECE courses require extensive reading and writing. At least one ECE course will be designated as "writing" or "speech" intensive each quarter. Students should expect to participate in both individual and group assignments. Written assignments in ECE classes at the Mount Vernon Campus are required to be typewritten or computer generated.

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Contact Us

Barbara Martinez-Griego
Department Chair
360.416.7787
barbara.martinez@skagit.edu