Early Childhood Education
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
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.
This program prepares students for positions working with young children and families in a variety of early care and education settings. Courses meet the criteria addressed in the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation.
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education program will be able to:
- Use knowledge of key child development theories and current research to analyze and understand children’s perspectives, behavior and development.
- Develop strategies for connecting with and supporting the child and family that recognize the interconnectedness of the child, family, and community and the impacts of culture and structural inequity on their lives.
- Use effective teaching strategies that adapt and change to meet student’s needs.
- Use observation and documentation as tools to understand the development, learning, and behavior of young children and use that knowledge for curriculum development.
- Create engaging curriculum that is based on knowledge of children’s developmental needs, established learning outcomes, and children’s interest.
Early Childhood Education, BAS
Designed for the Skagit Valley community, the Bachelor of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education degree is a three-year, 98-credit program designed for those who have completed an Associate degree and wish to pursue their BAS degree with a P-3 Teaching Certificate.
Early Childhood Education, AAS
Intended to give students the skills needed to move directly into employment. These degrees also prepare alumni for entry into a BAS program.
The Early Childhood Education (ECED) program prepares students for positions working with young children and families in a variety of early care and education settings. Graduates of an early childhood education degree are often employed as lead teachers, family home visitors, or administrators in childcare, head start, early childhood education and assistance program (ECEAP), and preschool programs. Courses meet the criteria addressed in the national association for the education of young children (NAEYC) standards for early childhood professional preparation.
Early Childhood Education, A.Ed.
Intended for students who are interested in transferring to a four-year university.
The Associate of Education-Early Childhood Education (A.Ed.) degree offers the needed preparation in critical education content to prepare students for employment as paraeducators upon graduation. The A.Ed. also prepares students for future transfer to a four-year college or university. The Associate of Education degree coursework is equivalent to a major relating to early childhood education and meets the requirements of employers, especially public school districts.
The information above reflects the 2025-2026 course catalog and is subject to change. Please check with your advisor for the most up to date information.
Program Admissions
Students may enter the program at the beginning of any quarter. For specific information, contact Enrollment Services or the Department Chair.
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. Students with a criminal background should complete a background check with the Department of Children Youth and Families prior to enrolling in the program to make sure they will be able to complete the practicum requirement and gain employment after graduation.
Certification/Licensure
Early Childhood Education (ECE): All ECE certificates and degrees are designed with
Washington State licensure requirements in mind. Guided by the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) has defined the requirements for “stackable certificates” that allow ECE professionals
to add skills while working in the field. SVC certificates and associate degrees meet
the NAYEC standards, and the credit thresholds and requirements set by DCYF.
The Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) in Early Childhood Education prepares graduates
to earn a Residency Teaching Certificate in Washington State with an endorsement in
ECE. Admission to the program requires passing the WEST-B test of basic skills, or an alternate assessment approved by the Washington Professional
Educators Standards Board. Furthermore, earning the content endorsement in ECE required
to teach ECE in Washington requires candidates to either (A) pass the NES assessment of content knowledge in Early Childhood Education; or demonstrate proficiency in the content areas by compiling a portfolio of teaching
materials for SVC’s case-by-case exception process.
Candidates usually take the NES assessment in their second year in the program. Furthermore,
earning a Washington teaching certificate requires fingerprinting and successful passage
of background checks from the Washington State Patrol and the FBI. Individuals who
hold a Washington Residency Teaching Certificate may also teach in Arizona, Florida,
Hawaii, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, and Oklahoma. Other states do not
have direct reciprocity with Washington State, but a Washington State teaching certificate
may be used for accelerated licensure in many states. Please see the Education Commission’s 50 State Comparison for more detail.
Faculty and Staff
Alexis Meyers
Department Chair
360.416.7787
Alexis.meyers@skagit.edu
Kip Zwolenski
Tenured Faculty
360.416.6734
Kip.Zwolenski@skagit.edu
Ariel Glavick
ECE Program Coordinator
Ariel.Glavick@skagit.edu