WHAT is the Early Childhood Education program?

Students enrolled in the Early Childhood Education program acquire the skills necessary to work as teacher aides in child care centers, preschool programs, elementary schools, and other areas of the child care profession. Students learn about child development and a variety of teaching skills. They practice these skills while working with young children in our on-site, state licensed preschool program, area elementary classrooms, and various child care centers.

WHY should I take Early Childhood Education?

Classes at the Saginaw Career Complex are different than those offered at your home high school. You learn by doing—not just reading, listening, and memorizing. And you learn out in the real world, on-the-job, with real people.

Successful completion of the Early Childhood Education program in the Education and Human Services pathway prepares students for entry level positions in early childhood centers or as a preschool aide in an elementary school. Students may choose to continue their education, as seniors, in the Teacher Cadet program. Upon graduation, students may also continue their studies in child development or related fields, at a community college or university.

You will also earn a competency certificate in Early Childhood Education from the Saginaw Career Complex, which says you've learned actual job skills at high standards set by business and industry. Your parents will love it, so will colleges and employers.

WHAT will I learn in Early Childhood Education?

Students in the Early Childhood Education program will receive instruction in the following areas:

• Child development from birth to age 6
• Positive guidance
• Observation skills
• Nutrition
• Individual child study
• Special needs
• Developing program management awareness
• Journal writing

Students will also receive instruction in:

• Employability skills
• Communication skills
• Problem-solving

You will learn these skills in a clean, well-equipped, up-to-date, early childhood education lab. You will also learn and practice skills in real work environments.

For more specific areas of study click here to see more about the curriculum

WHAT are my job prospects?

Outstanding! Employment of preschool teachers and child-care workers is projected to increase faster than average for all occupations through the year 2008. In addition, many preschool teachers and child-care workers leave the occupation each year for other jobs, family responsibilities, or other reasons. High turnover, combined with job growth, is expected to create many openings for preschool teachers and child-care workers. Qualified persons who are interested in this work should have little trouble finding and keeping a job.

WHERE can I go after completing the program?

Your training in the Early Childhood Education program gives you several exciting options:

• Entry-level employment - Students might begin by working at a child care center, preschool center, or elementary school.
• Entrepreneurship -In addition, students might start their careers by opening up his/her own child care center.
• Continued Education - Students can continue their education with the advantage of articulating college credits at the same time they are earning their high school diploma, and they don't have to pay for it! After successfully completing the program, students may articulate credits at Delta College and Ferris State University. The articulation process will give students a head start on their post-secondary education, as well as save them a considerable sum of money. In addition, students are also ready to enter industry/employer-sponsored training programs.

WHO are the teachers?

Ms. Carol Emrich, a well-seasoned teacher herself, is very prepared to instruct the students in the Early Childhood program. In addition to the many educational degrees earned by Ms. Emrich, she has also received practical experience in the classroom as the Coordinator and Instructor in the Nanny Training Program at Delta College and as the Director of Kid's Korner at the Salvation Army Day Care Center. Ms. Emrich also spends part of her day teaching in the Teacher Cadet program at the Saginaw Career Complex. Here is a teacher who teaches others to teach!!

WHAT are the admission requirements?

Students admitted to the Early Childhood Education program at the Saginaw Career Complex must:

• Have an interest in a career in the Education and Human Services pathway
• Be a high school junior or senior
• Be on track for high school graduation
• Have good attendance habits
• Be willing to attend the Saginaw Career Complex, plus spend additional time doing work-based learning

WHAT does it cost?

Nothing! Eligible high school students may attend free of charge.

HOW do I enroll?

You can enroll by completing just a few easy steps. Click here to get started:

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