Montgomery County residents interested in a career in early childhood education can begin earning a certificate or associate of applied science degree from Ivy Tech Community College Crawfordsville. Beginning this fall, two classes will be offered as the first step in becoming an early childhood educator.
The college will offer ECED 100 Introduction to Early Childhood Education and IVYT 111 Student Success which is a college success course. Students will take IVY 111 for eight weeks, followed by ECED 100 for the next eight weeks. Classes will meet once a week every Tuesday evening. The fall semester begins Aug. 22.
Ivy Tech offers a pathway that allows students to earn certificates along the way to earning a full degree. In the early childhood education program, the first step is a child development associate certificate that requires six classes and 18 credits. The next step is a technical certificate (CDA plus four classes/12 credits). Students can continue towards an associate of applied science degree in early childhood education (technical certificate plus 10 classes/30 credits).
To apply to Ivy Tech, go to ivytech.edu/apply. An advisor is available at the Ivy Tech Crawfordsville campus on Wednesdays by appointment. Call 765-269-5682 or email aclark505@ivytech.edu to make an appointment.
Ivy Tech’s early childhood education program focuses on childhood development and growth as well as adult-child relationships. It emphasizes appropriate environments and care for children as well as the physical, emotional, social and cognitive areas of early childhood development. Childhood education courses are instructed in a variety of settings such as traditional classrooms, online classes, on-campus labs, and field experiences.
This program has been created in conjunction with the Montgomery County Community Foundation to increase the number of trained childcare providers in the community and support the current providers who want to increase their education. The TEACH scholarship is also available to help fund tuition and textbook costs.
The ECED program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC standards focus on providing high-quality educational and developmental experiences for children, birth through 8 years old.
