SUNY Orange, "If you have the dream, we have the way!"

Early Childhood Development and Care AAS Degree

About the Program

Program Description

This program prepares students for employment in positions ranging from aide
to head teacher in a variety of early childhood settings. Why begin your early
childhood career at SUNY Orange?

  • Relevant course work - 60% of the degree's courses directly apply to early childhood.
  • Hands - on field work - You will gain over 240 hours experience in early childhood environments by graduation.
  • Experienced faculty - Your instructors have much knowledge, expertise, and interest in early education.
  • Small class size - Individuals count! You are given careful, personal advising and attention.

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Program Philosophy

A Chinese proverb says: "I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do, and I understand".

Current research shows that the early years are among the most vital in human development. To most effectively educate and train early childhood teachers and caregivers, theory and practice must combine. Excellent classroom learning will be enriched with real life application. In this way, SUNY Orange graduates will be prepared to best serve and nurture the youngest members of our society.

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Mission Statement for the Early Childhood Development and Care Program

The Early Childhood Development and Care Program seeks to provide every student with professional and appropriate educational experiences to develop the thinking, practical, and personal skills necessary to teach and care for young children. These activities take place in college classes and seminars, and also in area field sites. In the field, extensive "hands-on" observation and participation give opportunities to apply education principles, receive individual guidance and feedback, and be involved first hand, with day-to-day activities in a variety of early childhood learning environments.

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Goals of the Early Childhood Development and Care Program

  • To develop cognitive and critical thinking skills through an integrated education plan.
  • To promote the use of applied knowledge of developmentally appropriate practices in both the college classroom and early learning field site environments.
  • To furnish opportunities for self-directed, creative, professional learning activities.
  • To provide field experiences ranging from minimal observation to full participation, allowing students to demonstrate increasing technical skills working with young children.
  • To prepare competent and confident early childhood professionals.

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Student Learning Outcomes of the Early Childhood Development and Care Program

The successful graduate of this program will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of physical, intellectual, language, creative, social, and emotional domains by incorporating developmentally appropriate practices in an early childhood environment.
  2. Apply theoretical and conceptual knowledge by effectively planning relevant stage and age level learning activities using varied curricula and lesson plan formats.
  3. Provide a learning atmosphere balanced in nurture and education for our youngest citizens evidenced by an appropriate physical environment and supportive cognitive and affective methods.
  4. Welcome and integrate in their classroom an unbiased understanding and appreciation of a population that is diverse in appearance, performance, ability, and culture.
  5. Demonstrate effective communication skills with children, colleagues, and parents.
  6. Develop and exhibit professional and ethical standards of integrity, confidentiality, personal growth, and collaborative teamwork in college classrooms and field assignments.

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Elizabeth Tarvin, Chair 
(845) 341-4482
E-mail

SUNY Orange
115 South Street
Middletown, NY 10940