Early Childhood Education Foundational Certificate

Program Statement

This certificate program prepares students with the necessary skills to enter the field as a qualified early childhood professional ready to work with infants/toddlers or preschoolers (age will depend upon practicum completed) in various environments, including child care programs, early learning centers, and family child care.

Program Information

Students are required to take 5 courses for a total of 16 credits. Program courses include topics in child development, introduction to early childhood education, guiding behavior, curriculum and one practicum (age group will be based on the curriculum course taken).

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 Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care teacher qualifications. 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 children (birth - 5 years old).

Through a supervised practicum placement in a licensed child care setting, students will demonstrate their grasp of these principles and their ability to provide high-quality education and respectful care.

After Bristol

All courses within this program may be applied to  both the Certificate of Achievement in Early Childhood Education and the Associate in Science Early Childhood Education. Graduates of this certificate have successfully pursued careers in private early childhood programs and family child care settings. Upon completion, students meet the educational and experiential requirements for teacher qualification, as well as the educational criteria for Lead Teacher certification, as established by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to: 

1. Explain and demonstrate an understanding of how cultural, economic, political, and historical factors influence theories of child development.
2. Use knowledge of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development to practice assessment of children from birth to age 8.
3. Explain the main theories, models, job roles, and responsibilities in early childhood education for creating safe and inclusive learning environments.
4. Follows ethical, legal, and practical considerations for supporting children with diverse needs and backgrounds in an unbiased way.
5. Implement developmentally appropriate curriculum plans that align with ECE guidelines and support child development across domains.

Special Requirements for the Program

Students must take ECE 251 Teaching Practicum I and Seminar I 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.