Early Childhood Education

Chair, Advisor and Faculty:

Chair: Christine Wiedeman, christine.wiedeman@aims.edu, 970.339.6408; Ed Beaty Hall, Room 145E

Full-Time Faculty and Advisor: Laura Killen-Wing, laura.illenwing@aims.edu, 970-339-6298; Ed Beagy Hall, Room 145D

Note from the Faculty: It is with pleasure that we welcome you to the field of early childhood education! It is very important to meet with a faculty advisor prior to registering for classes. The information above tells how to reach someone who can help you and answer your questions. Best wishes for much success here at Aims Community College.

Degrees and Certificates:

Early Childhood Education Statewide Articulation Agreement (A.A. degree)

Early Childhood Teacher, Beginning (certificate)

Early Childhood Teacher, Intermediate (certificate)

Early Childhood Education (certificate)

Child Care Center Director (certificate)

Infant/Toddler Teacher (certificate)

Great Beginnings (certificate)

Early Childhood Education (A.A.S. degree)

Early Childhood Education Entry (Certificate)

Potential Opportunities: The demand for quality child care has increased the number of career options in the exciting and rewarding field of Early Childhood. The expansion of knowledge in the field of Child Development and early childhood education, coupled with the economic need for parents to seek part or full-day care outside their home, has created specialized fields for working with young children and their families.

The program is designed to prepare students for positions in private preschools, small and large child care centers, child development centers, Head Start programs, before and after school programs, summer day camps, infant nurseries, inclusive child care centers, and family child care homes. Work experience for most positions is required in addition to courses listed. The Colorado Department of Human Services, Office of Early Childhood determines the qualifications for child care positions.

Selected Aims degrees offered by the Early Childhood Education program provide seamless transfer into four-year degree programs that include Kindergarten - Grade 2 Teacher licensure.

Registration Requirement: To register for Early Childhood Education classes, students must meet Aims Community College assessment requirements.

All students enrolled in Early Childhood Education Lab or Internship courses must complete an Aims Community College background check, which must be renewed annually.