Early Childhood Education

Your path to success

Are you passionate about nurturing the growth and development of young children from birth to five years old? If so, consider enrolling in the Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education program at Daytona State College.

Our program equips you with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in various roles, such as:

Early Childhood Education Teacher
Child Development Center Curriculum Coordinator
Infant-Toddler Teacher
Preschool Teacher
Child Development Center Manager

Even if you’re already employed in the field, our program provides supplementary training to enhance your expertise.

Flexible learning to fit your lifestyle
We understand that life can be hectic, so we offer many of our classes online and in hybrid formats to accommodate your busy schedule. The program features a core set of courses that all students must complete.

Personalized guidance and support
We highly recommend a pre-admission consultation with Dr. Cathy Twyman, our assistant chair, to help you get started on the right track. Reach out to her at Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu or call 386-506-3113.

Career opportunities
With the U.S. Department of Education projecting a shortage of skilled teachers, graduates of our program will be in high demand. Nearly 100% of our teaching program graduates find employment in their field, both in Florida and nationwide.

Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to take on roles such as:

Infant/Toddler Teacher
Preschool Teacher (Except Special Education)
Before/After School Care Program Coordinator
Early Intervention Educator
Family Support Provider
Child Care Administrator
Resource and Referral Agency Counselor
Education Administrator
Kindergarten Teacher (private school)
Early Childhood Educator

Comprehensive career ladder
Our program offers a robust career ladder in early childhood education:

Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)
Director’s Credential
Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)
This vocational certificate prepares you for roles such as volunteer prekindergarten instructor at childcare centers. Participants must currently work in a childcare facility to meet the direct work experience requirement. The program includes four classes, with the next cohort starting in the Fall term. You’ll learn guidance techniques, developmentally appropriate strategies, and professional practices in early childhood education.

Director’s Credential
If you aim to own or run a childcare facility, the Director’s Credential is essential. This requires a Child Development Associate Staff Credential and completion of a Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) 45-hour training course, among other DCF requirements. Contact Dr. Cathy Twyman for more details at 386-506-3113 or Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu.

Ready to renew Your Director's Credential?
Stay ahead in your career by renewing your Director's Credential. For detailed information on the renewal process, visit Florida Department of Children and Family Services. If you have any questions, call 1-888-352-2842. For specific course details, reach out to Dr. Cathy Twyman, Assistant Chair, at 386-506-3113 or Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu.

Elevate Your career with an Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education
Our Associate of Science in Early Childhood Education program at Daytona State College is designed to prepare you for a rewarding career in early childhood education. Whether you're looking to become a teacher, a curriculum coordinator, an infant-toddler educator, or a child development center manager, this program is your gateway to success.

Comprehensive curriculum for a bright future
Our program offers a robust curriculum focusing on:

Emergent literacy through children’s literature
Supporting children with special needs and their families
Facilitating social development
Promoting family interaction and cultural continuity
Conducting observation and assessment in early childhood
Implementing appropriate curriculum practices

High demand for skilled educators
With a projected shortage of skilled teachers by the U.S. Department of Education, graduates from our program will be in high demand. Nearly 100% of our teaching program graduates find employment in their field, making you well-positioned for a successful career in Florida or nationwide.

Financial aid and scholarships
We are committed to making education accessible and affordable. The T.E.A.C.H. (Teacher Education And Compensation Helps) program offers scholarships to early learning and after school teachers, directors, family childcare home educators, and childcare facility owners. These scholarships support those working towards their Florida Staff Credential, Director Credential, National CDA Assessment, and various degrees in early childhood education. This program aims to link professional development with increased compensation and a commitment to the field. To learn more, visit T.E.A.C.H..

Take the next step today!
Join Daytona State College and embark on a fulfilling career in early childhood education. For more information and to apply for scholarships, visit Apply for T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships or contact Dr. Cathy Twyman at Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu or 386-506-3113. Your future in early childhood education starts here!

Apply today

Get started on your path to make a difference in children's lives.

At DSC we offer a comprehensive career ladder for this specialized field:

ECPC (Early Childhood Professional Certificate)
Directors Credential
AS degree in Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC)

The Early Childhood Education, vocational professional certificate program (ECPC) is designed to prepare graduates for employment as a volunteer prekindergarten (VPK) instructor at a childcare center. Students in this certificate are required to be currently working in a childcare facility in order to meet the direct work experience requirement for this program. There are four classes in this program, and our next cohort will begin in the Fall term.

The curriculum includes suitable guidance techniques, developmentally appropriate strategies, and activities for young children ages infant to school-age, basic principles of child development, and professional and ethical practices pertaining to early childhood education.
Students will have the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities to use with young children at their own early childhood education center.

Directors Credential

CHD2801 - Child Development Management (3 credits)

The Directors Credential is required to own and/or run a childcare facility. To qualify for this credential, individuals must also have earned a CDA/Staff Credential and complete the DCF 45-hour training course as well as other required DCF training. Potential students who have a degree in another field may be eligible to earn their Director’s Credential and are encouraged to reach out to the Assistant Chair, Cathy Twyman @ 386-506-3113 or Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu for further information.

We work directly with T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship recipients. Please reach out to the contact information listed above for guidance regarding how to apply to the college.

Renewing a Directors Credential:
For information concerning the renewal of your director’s credential, access the site: https://www.myflfamilies.com/childcaretraining/credentials/director-credential. If you have any additional questions regarding renewal, you can call the Florida Department of Children and Family Services at 1-888-352-2842. For specific course information available at Daytona State College, you can contact the Assistant Chair at Daytona State at 386-506-3113 or email them at Catherine.Twyman@daytonastate.edu

Associate of Science degree in Early Childhood Education

The program prepares students to work as early childhood education teachers, child development center curriculum coordinators, infant-toddler teachers, preschool teachers, child development center managers, or to provide supplementary training for persons previously or currently employed in these occupations.

The curriculum focuses on:

Emergent Literacy through the Use of Children's Literature
Working with Children with Special Needs and their Families Facilitating Social Development
Family Interaction and Cultural Continuity
Observation and Assessment in Early Childhood
Appropriate Curriculum Practices

U.S. Department of Education projects a shortage of skilled teachers in the coming years. Graduates of this program will be extremely well positioned for employment, whether in the state of Florida or nationwide. Nearly 100% of graduates of DSC's teaching programs find employment in the field.

Graduates may find employment in job roles such as:

Education Administrator
Preschool Teacher (Except Special Education)
Kindergarten Teacher (Except Special Education) (private school)
Early childhood educator

Apply for Financial Aid and Student Scholarships:

T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship: T.E.A.C.H. is an acronym for Teacher Education And Compensation Helps. The program provides scholarships to early learning and afterschool teachers, directors, family childcare home educators, and childcare facility owners working towards their Florida Staff Credential, Director Credential, National CDA Assessment, credential renewals, or Associate, Bachelor’s, and Master’s degrees in early childhood education. A major goal of T.E.A.C.H. is that it links professional development, increased compensation, and commitment for the Florida early care and education workforce to remain in the field. This grant is offered through the Children’s Forum and is for students who are employed at participating early childhood centers. To be eligible, the student must have the approval of their employer. For more information about this scholarship program, access this link: https://teach-fl.org/

To apply for a scholarship, click here: https://login.thechildrensforum.com/teach/landing