Early Childhood Education
Overview
Approved By LWIA: 17
Last Re-Certification Date: 9/23/2025
Program Description
The Early Childhood Education program provides practical and hands-on learning experiences to prepare students to work in a variety of early childhood settings, from childcare centers and family homecare programs to schools from Pre-K to 2nd grade.An associates degree in ECE is the first step to teaching young children in Illinois public schools, preschools, private elementary schools, and Head Start. Students will complete specific requirements and a minimum of 60 semester credit hours to earn both an associates degree and the Illinois Gateways Level 4 Early Childhood Education credential. Students can then transfer into a 4-year program in early childhood education as a junior, complete a bachelors degree, and gain the Illinois Professional Educator License to teach birth through 2nd grade. The program also fulfills the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requirements for head teachers in childcare centers and family home care programs, and students have the option of adding ECE 260 to complete Center Director requirements.
Established in 1992
CIP: 13-1210 Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Training Program Type
Vocational
Provider Information
Parkland College
Program Contact Info
2400 W. Bradley Ave.
Champaign, IL 61821
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-2200
Associated Job Families and Occupations
- Education, Training, and Library Occupations
Certifying / Licensing / Registering Body
Quality Assurance
- Illinois Community College Board
- Industry Standard: Illinois Basic Skills Test
Education Information
Associates Degree
64 Weeks ( 960.00 Hours / 60.00 Credit Hours )
| Tuition | $11,160.00 |
| Books | $1,720.00 |
| Fees | $250.00 |
| Total Cost | $13,130.00 |
Financial Aid
- Pell Grants
- Illinois Monetary Award Program
- Federal loans(Stafford, PLUS, etc)
- Institutional Scholarships
Application Procedure
Contact Provider
Entry Requirements:
- HS Diploma/GED
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Disability Provisions Compliance Assurance
- EEO Compliant: Yes
- Disability Accomodation: Yes
Program Offerings
- Classroom Instruction
- Online/E-Learning Instruction
Performance Data
Program: Early Childhood Education
Overview
Approved By LWIA: 17
Last Re-Certification Date: 9/23/2025
Program Description
The Early Childhood Education program provides practical and hands-on learning experiences to prepare students to work in a variety of early childhood settings, from childcare centers and family homecare programs to schools from Pre-K to 2nd grade.An associates degree in ECE is the first step to teaching young children in Illinois public schools, preschools, private elementary schools, and Head Start. Students will complete specific requirements and a minimum of 60 semester credit hours to earn both an associates degree and the Illinois Gateways Level 4 Early Childhood Education credential. Students can then transfer into a 4-year program in early childhood education as a junior, complete a bachelors degree, and gain the Illinois Professional Educator License to teach birth through 2nd grade. The program also fulfills the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services requirements for head teachers in childcare centers and family home care programs, and students have the option of adding ECE 260 to complete Center Director requirements.
Established in 1992
CIP: 13-1210 Early Childhood Education and Teaching.
Provider Information
Parkland College
Program Contact Info
2400 W. Bradley Ave.
Champaign, IL 61821
Champaign, IL 61821
(217) 351-2200
Associated Job Families and Occupations
- Education, Training, and Library Occupations
Certifying / Licensing / Registering Body
Quality Assurance
- Illinois Community College Board
- Industry Standard: Illinois Basic Skills Test
Education Information
Associates Degree
64 Weeks ( 960.00 Hours / 60.00 Credit Hours )
| Tuition | $11,160.00 |
| Books | $1,720.00 |
| Fees | $250.00 |
| Total Cost | $13,130.00 |
Financial Aid
- Pell Grants
- Illinois Monetary Award Program
- Federal loans(Stafford, PLUS, etc)
- Institutional Scholarships
Application Procedure
Contact Provider
Entry Requirements:
- HS Diploma/GED
Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity, and Disability Provisions Compliance Assurance
- EEO Compliant: Yes
- Disability Accomodation: Yes
Program Offerings
- Classroom Instruction
- Online/E-Learning Instruction