The Early Childhood Educator is a competent person who assumes primary responsibility for meeting the specific needs of a group of children in a child development setting by nurturing the child’s physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs; setting up and maintaining the child care environment; and establishing a liaison relationship between parents and the child development center.

The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to apply for the National Child Development Associate Certificate or the Paraprofessional Praxis certification through a national CDA credentialing agency. Students can enter the workforce, or further their education through a continuing program.

Grade Level Requirement: 10, 11, & 12
Prerequisites: Application
College Credits Earned: 23

Career Opportunities: assembler and fabricator, boilermaker, machine setter, metal worker, sheet metal worker, tool and die maker
Average Salary: $32,050 annually or $15.41 hourly**

**Gathered from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2026 Occupational Outlook Handbook)