WALDO COUNTY TECHNICAL CENTER

Preparing Students for Career, College, & Community

early childhood ed pmEarly Childhood Occupations II:

Students choosing to take the second year program of study in Early Childhood Occupations must plan to attend in the pm session.

Level two is a more rigorous, in depth course, and is an excellent sequel to level one.  The curriculum is based on the seven standards of Early Childhood Education as decided by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  

These standards coincide with the requirements for obtaining the Certified Early Childhood Assistant (CECA) certificate, a state recognized credential.  It is important to note that because of the hours required, only students attending this program for two years will be eligible for obtaining their CECA certification.  Students in this second level class are expected to run the on-site preschool fairly independently and must show impeccable professionalism and a strong sense of team work.

Typical career tracks and opportunities may include: teaching positions for Child Care Centers, Elementary Education, Speech Pathology, Family Child Care Home Provider, Social Services, Head Start/Pre-K Programs, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy.

Certification opportunities specific to second year students may include the CECA certificate (Certified Early Childhood Assistant)  approved by Maine Roads to Quality and Maine Department of Education, upon completion of all requirements.  Students must complete 180 documented hours of classroom and 180 laboratory field hours, complete a portfolio according to NAEYC Standards, First Aid and CPR certification, and pass the NOCTI exam with a score of 70 or better.

Articulation agreements are in place for specific coursework credits with Eastern Maine Community College, Beal College and  Washington Community College as specified by the individual ECOE program.

The ECO Program utilizes area programs for additional hands-on experience: i.e. Belfast Area Children’s Center, Broad Reach Inclusive Program, Starrett Center, Waldo County Head Start Programs, CASS Pre-K, Waldo County YMCA, and Helping Hands Family School.

 Units of instruction covered include core knowledge areas: healthy and safe environment, child development, developmentally appropriate practice, positive guidance techniques, proper nutrition and assessing behavior and needs.  Those students pursuing CECA certification will be providing proof in the following core knowledge areas:  Promoting Child Development and Learning / Connecting Families and Communities /  Observing, Documenting and Assessing / Using Developmentally Effective Approaches / Building Meaningful Curriculum / Becoming a Professional and Field Experience.

Requirements

It is important that ECOE students are enthusiastic about working with young children.  They are expected to demonstrate appropriate role modeling behavior, practice good hygiene, display patience and compassion, and be emotionally focused.  They need to be self-disciplined, able to accept constructive criticism, and be independent thinkers.  Excellent attendance is a must. They need to have a strong commitment to the academic component of the program which is more rigorous than ECO I.  Above all else, they must be an effective member of a “team” effort”.

Rachel Littlefield

Rachel 2

Extended Learning Opportunities Coordinator

 
Rachel has been a member of the Waldo Tech team since 2013.
Rachel received her Bachelor of Fine Arts and her Master’s degree in Education from the University of Southern Maine. She has been an art teacher, an elementary school teacher, an early childhood instructor and a literacy instructor before taking on the role of WCTC’s ELO Coordinator in 2022. When she is not at school, Rachel loves landscape painting in her studio, baking bread and spending time in nature.

Schedule

This course meets Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, and Fri from 11:45 am to 1:45 pm for 40 weeks.

Location

This course is held at WCTC in room Early Childhood Occupations.

Other Information

Course ID: EC-PM

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