Early Childhood Education Programs
Introduction
Delaware State University’s Early Childhood Education degree programs provide a high quality educational experience in working with children, prenatal through age 8. With a heavy emphasis on direct, practical experience, the ECE programs offer outstanding preparation for careers in teaching, research, administration, and related fields.
our partners
DSU Early Childhood Laboratory School
Students gain extensive hands-on experience at Delaware State’s Early Childhood Lab School, an on-site licensed facility that serves toddlers and preschoolers from the local community. This environment enables ECE majors to collaborate with seasoned instructors, develop classroom skills, become familiar with multicultural educational settings, and interact with parents, all while pursuing their passion for teaching and working with young children.
Early Childhood Innovation Center
The Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) is a newly developed initiative aiming to redesign Delaware’s early childhood education support model. Our focus is on supporting educators holistically, improving access and removing barriers to advanced credentials such as the Child Development Associate® (CDA) certificate and post-secondary Associate or Bachelor degrees.
True Access Capital
True Access Capital is a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) that empowers business owners and entrepreneurs in Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania, especially women, minorities and those who are underserved by traditional lenders, with technical expertise and access to capital.
Professional Preparation
The Early Childhood Education programs at DSU meets all standards set by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and Early Interventionists/Early Childhood Special Educators (EI/ECSE). Early Childhood Education students will develop the following professional skills as outlined in the NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation and the Initial Practice-Based Professional Preparation Standards for EI/ECSE:
- Promoting child development and early learning
- Building family and community relationships
- Applying models, skills, and processes of teaming when collaborating and communicating
- Observing, documenting and assessing to support students and families
- Using developmentally effective approaches
- Using content knowledge to build developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive early childhood curriculum
- Developing professional and ethical practice
Programs
Associate Degree: Early Childhood Education And Administration
Now accepting students for the inaugural cohort in Fall 2024!
This online program is designed to elevate educators in their careers, while honoring their rich experience and passion for early childhood education. Our program aims to invigorate the local economy by preparing early learning providers to become business owners and enhance the quality of childcare options in the community. With a focus on equity and access, our degree helps you overcome barriers to higher education and career progression, enabling you to achieve your personal and professional goals.
Program Highlights
- Comprehensive Curriculum: Learn developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate teaching strategies, observation and assessment techniques, and how to build strong partnerships with families.
- Supportive Environment: Benefit from embedded academic supports, including tutors and cohort learning communities, ensuring your success from enrollment to graduation.
BS, Early Childhood Education (birth-Grade 2)
The bachelor’s degree program prepares students to provide high-quality early education and childcare for young children and toddlers, leading to careers in teaching, research, administration, and related fields. Upon completion, students will be eligible to apply for teacher certification in the State of Delaware.
Through training and mentorship from veteran educators, students will develop and practice their teaching skills, learning developmentally appropriate practices that keep children active, promote social growth, encourage healthy expression, and enhance gross and fine motor skills and mindfulness. This prepares students to work with young children in both private and public sectors of early childhood education.
The program combines classroom instruction with fieldwork at Delaware State University’s Early Childhood Lab School, Delaware elementary schools, and local early learning centers. Students will have the opportunity to learn from academic faculty, experienced practitioners, their peers, and the children in the communities they will serve.
Students gain extensive hands-on experience at Delaware State’s Early Childhood Lab School, an on-site licensed facility serving toddlers and preschoolers from the local community. This setting allows ECE majors to work with seasoned instructors, develop classroom skills, become familiar with multicultural educational environments, and interact with parents, all while pursuing their passion for teaching and working with young children. Additionally, students can apply their learning in Delaware public schools (K-2) and local childcare programs.