Early Childhood Education

Interested in working with young children? Want to make an impact on the future? Prepare yourself to work with kids in the classroom through our Early Childhood Education Program.

Early Childhood Education

This degree and certificate program is designed for students who are interested in working with children from birth to grade three and the families of those children.

Students will study child development, the foundations of early childhood education, curriculum development through play, assessment and practicum, and programs evaluation. All of which are essential for becoming an early childhood teacher or specialist, a day care director, a pre-school and nursery center director or other positions that help children grow and learn. Students can also acquire real-life experience at the college’s Kids Campus early childhood development center located on the SFCC campus or through the Aprende pre-apprenticeship program. Students who are already working in an early childhood setting should consider the Aprende apprenticeship program to get credit for their work.

Obtaining an associate’s degree partially fulfills the New Mexico Public Education Department’s competencies for teacher licensure up to third grade and the coursework is designed to transfer to a bachelor’s program at a four-year institution.

NOTE: People who already have a college degree can earn a license in teaching through SFCC’s state-accredited alternative teacher licensure program.

The number of jobs available in early childhood education in New Mexico is expected to increase during the next 10 years. Teacher salaries are also rising in NM due to new state initiatives. Additionally, some schools are offering bonuses, higher pay, and other incentives to attract new teachers. School teachers earn a median annual salary of $61,400.

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Mission and Conceptual Framework: The early childhood degree program demonstrates a clear sense of identity and purpose that is consistent with the institution’s mission and responsive to the community it serves.
The program’s mission statement reflects and supports its institution’s and community’s context and the program’s role in preparing early childhood educators.

Provide your institution’s mission statement below:

SFCC’s mission, “Empower Students, Strengthen Community” and provide an equity focus to the College’s role in ensuring that all students regardless of their background find a better future.

Provide your program’s mission statement below:

The SFCC Early Childhood Program’s mission is to professionally prepare critically reflective and culturally responsive educators who expect and support the development, learning and well-being of each and every young child, and to significantly contribute to the quality of early education in New Mexico and beyond by understanding children, families and communities. Our program provides engaging and supportive learning experiences that emphasize ethics, theory and hands-on field experiences.

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Early Childhood Education