Child Care Career

Program Statement

The Early Childhood Education Career program prepares students to become eligible for the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care lead teacher qualification. Students select one of two concentration areas; Infant-Toddler or Preschool.

Program Information

• Students are required to take 21 courses for a total of 64 credits. Program courses include topics in child development, observation and assessment, curriculum, special needs, and health and safety.
• All students are required to meet 10 general education requirements. All general education requirements are integrated throughout required and elective courses.
• Students should take any required developmental course in their first semester along with EDU 101 College Success Seminar for Education.
• Students should meet with the program coordinator prior to registering for courses.
• Students should follow the recommended course sequence provided in the catalog.
• All Early Childhood students must achieve grades of “C-” or better in all subject courses with an ECE designation.
• Courses address the knowledge and competencies required for MA Department of Early Education and Care teacher and lead teacher qualifications. The lead teacher qualification level is dependent upon the selected concentration (infant, toddler, or preschool). Students should access the Department of Early Education and Care website for specific teaching qualifications.
• Students will apply respectful care and educational principles tailored for infants, toddlers, and/or preschool children.
• Through two supervised practicum placements in a licensed early childhood education program, students will demonstrate their grasp of these principles and their ability to provide high-quality education and respectful care.

After Bristol

•  This program is MassTransfer eligible as long as students complete MassTransfer eligible Human Expression elective. See your advisor for more details. 
• For students who are interested in transferring, please visit Transfer Services. Please plan your transfer at least one year before graduation.
• Upon completion of the degree, students are eligible to work in an intermediate level teaching position in early childhood education programs.
• Graduates of this degree have gone on to become lead teachers, curriculum coordinators, owners of early childhood programs (center-based, and family child care), and paraprofessionals in the public-school department.

Special Requirements for the Program

• Students must take ECE 251 Teaching Practicum I and Seminar I and ECE 252 Teaching Practicum II and Seminar II which requires students to teach in a local child care setting. Practicums will take place within a 40-50 mile radius of the Fall River campus and must be in Massachusetts.
• In order to enroll in a teaching practicum and seminar, students must meet with the Department Chair the semester before enrollment to ensure that the student meets all prerequisites and requirements.
• Students will be assigned to an early childhood education program, unless they are already working in a Massachusetts licensed child care program, in which case Bristol will make every effort to work with the student’s place of employment.
• C.O.R.I. (Criminal Offender Record Information) and S.O.R.I. (Sexual Offender Registry Information) background checks are required prior to clinical placement and are conducted in accordance with State regulations by both Bristol Community College and early child care agencies/elementary schools. Students may be required to complete fingerprinting and would be financially responsible for any costs associated with fingerprinting.
• Students that plan to complete a practicum must have a physical examination, Hepatitis B immunization, other immunizations as required by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and must have a tuberculosis test each year.
• Transportation to fieldwork sites is the responsibility of the student. Students should be prepared to travel up to an hour from campus for these assignments.
• During this program, which requires practicum experience, Early Childhood students should be aware that young children are physically very active. Students must be able to move quickly and have sufficient visual, hearing, comprehension, and communication skills to accurately monitor children in their care.