Early Childhood Education (ECE)

Early Childhood Education at Everett Community College is an academic program designed to develop the skills needed to be a successful Early Childhood professional.  This program is directed toward students planning to work with young children in a variety of settings, including preschools, child care centers, family child care, public schools (as teacher assistants) and/or other programs for young children. Classes in early childhood education also provide valuable training for men and women in preparation for parenthood.

Program options include Stackable Certificates meeting minimum licensing requirements, an Associate in Technical Arts Degree, which is transferable to Bachelor of Applied Science (BAS) degrees at several local colleges, and an Associate in Arts and Sciences Direct Transfer (DTA) Degree, which is transferable to a four-year college or university. Our stackable certificates meet licensing requirements for the state of Washington. Everett Community College has not determined if they meet the state education requirements in any other state, any U.S. Territory, or the District of Columbia. The Associate in Technical Arts (ATA) degree is accepted as an alternative pathway to Head Start Lead Teacher.

Courses are offered online, with lab requirements, and in the early evening to help accommodate students' varied schedules. Hiring requirements vary from Early Childhood Education program to program, but with a certificate or Associate in Technical Arts (ATA) degree, you can expect to increase your employment opportunities.

If you are energetic, enjoy working with children, parents, and diverse populations, are able to adapt to creative and challenging situations, adhere to high standards for yourself and others, and are willing to improve and expand on your skills and knowledge continually, you may be a candidate for becoming an Early Childhood Education professional. 

For further information, contact Paula Solis Krock at (425) 259-8268.

Academic Credit for Prior Learning

The Early Childhood Education department recognizes students often enter the program with job experience that may be worth credit. To help students get a jump start on their credit, Everett Community College offers credit for Child Development Associate (CDA) certificates and other credentials.

Certificate Equivalencies

To get started earning credit CDA or other certificates, create an account and log in to Credit Predictor Pro. More information about credit for industry certifications and Credit Predictor Pro can be found on the EvCC ACPL website.

If a student has worked in early childhood education but does not have a CDA or other certificate, they may still be eligible for college credit through a Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio. To earn credit, the student creates a portfolio demonstrating how their learning applies to specific EvCC courses. An appropriate faculty member then evaluates the portfolio and awards credit.

For more information about the Prior Experiential Learning Portfolio process, visit the EvCC ACPL website or contact the ACPL Program Specialist at ACPL@everettcc.edu.