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Course Search Results

  • ECE 168: Child Care Management

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course provides an introduction to the planning, administration, and culturally responsive leadership of early childhood programs. Students will explore the importance of building and maintaining positive, inclusive interpersonal staff relationships; effective communication with diverse families and communities; culturally responsive program evaluations and assessments; and understanding and navigating regulations, standards, and budgets through a lens of equity and inclusion. The course will support students in embracing professionalism and Pennsylvania (PA) initiatives that promote equity and advocacy in early childhood education.
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  • ECE 170: Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    The course prepares early childhood educators and caregivers to promote children's health, safety, and nutrition from birth to age 12, focusing on culturally responsive practices. Students will learn to identify risks to children's health and safety and develop strategies for health promotion, disease prevention, and basic care at each developmental stage, considering children's and families' cultural backgrounds and needs. The course covers the physical, emotional, and social needs of children. This course requires observations at a licensed child-care site.
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  • ECE 176: CDA Portfolio I

    1.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course supports students as they develop an understanding of CDA Functional Areas 1-6. The content ensures students gain knowledge and practical skills essential for early childhood education. The course explores foundational topics to reinforce key concepts, fostering a deep connection between coursework and real-world application. The course supports students in building the resource collection items for CDA Functional Areas 1-6. Emphasis is placed on understanding the purpose of each item, ensuring inclusivity, and integrating reflective practices to document the value of each resource. This course serves as a prerequisite for ECE 177 CDA Portfolio II.
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  • ECE 177: CDA Portfolio II

    1.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course supports students as they develop an understanding of CDA Functional Areas 7-13. The content ensures students gain knowledge and practical skills essential for childhood education. The course explores foundational topics to reinforce key concepts, fostering a deep connection between coursework and real-world application. The course supports students in building the resource collection items for CDA Functional Area 7-13. Emphasis is placed on understanding the purpose of each item, ensuring inclusivity, and integrating reflective practices to document the value of each resource. Through peer reviews, discussions, and assignments, students will gain confidence in preparing a professional portfolio that aligns with best practices in early childhood education. Prerequisite(s): ECE 176
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  • ECE 178: CDA Portfolio III

    1.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course guides students through the final stages of CDA portfolio preparation with a focus on cultural competence and professionalism. Reflection, inclusivity, and cultural responsiveness in early childhood practices are emphasized. The course ensures that students produce a well-rounded and comprehensive portfolio and are prepared for the CDA verification visit and exam. The course focuses on verification visit preparation, including a mock visit, interview practice, and peer feedback to build confidence and readiness. Through these steps, students prepare to showcase their knowledge and dedication to equity-driven, high-quality early childhood education in their professional CDA portfolios. Prerequisite(s): ECE 177
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  • ECE 255: Early Childhood Education Curriculum

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course explores planning developmentally appropriate learning activities for children ages 3 to 9, with a focus on the preschool years. Play is emphasized as a central learning tool. Learners will observe classrooms for content area learning, then create and implement inclusive lessons using the PA Early Learning Standards, with a focus on developmentally appropriate practices and culturally responsive pedagogy. Emergent curriculum and commercial curriculum are compared for practicality and supporting learner development. Field experience at an approved childcare site is required. This course fulfills a part of the prerequisite for ECE 284 Early Childhood Education Practicum.
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  • ECE 256: Assessment and Observation of Young Children

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course introduces the ways that assessment supports child development and program planning in early childcare settings for children from birth to 9 years. Assessment is discussed within the context of developmentally appropriate practice, curriculum planning, pedagogy, universal design, and program development and modification. Ethics of assessment, including confidentiality, communication with caregivers, cultural and linguistic appropriateness, and standardized assessment are explored. This course requires observations at a licensed childcare center.
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  • ECE 257: Introduction to Exceptional Development

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course examines the growth and development of exceptional persons, concentrating on the years from birth through early adulthood. The course addresses exceptionalities. Special attention is given to laws addressing special education as well as inclusion. Emphasis is placed on the important roles of the families and communities in special education. This course addresses disability as another form of diversity and equitable access to quality services to ensure all children thrive in their educational environment. This course requires observations at an approved educational institution.
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  • ECE 265: Education of Young Children with Special Needs

    3.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course provides an in-depth study of the education of young children with exceptionalities. The assessment, identification and appropriate education of young children with special needs are the focus with attention given to legal aspects and inclusion. Family-based practices and Division for Early Childhood recommended base practices for early intervention are addressed. Corequisite(s): ECE 257
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  • ECE 283: Infant and Toddler Practicum

    1.00 Credits
    Westmoreland County Community College

    This course offers an in-depth examination of the infant and toddler classroom that builds upon the content in ECE 156 Infant & Toddler Development. Special attention is placed on the physical safety and care of infants and toddlers, supporting growth and development across domains, developing authentic relationships with caregivers, and lesson design and implementation. Professional development is emphasized, and the course requires the completion of 50 hours of field experience at an approved early childcare site. Prerequisite(s): Completed interest form, site agreement, and liability insurance. Students must verify the prerequisites with the program director to register for this course; Corequisite(s): ECE 156.
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