Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

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Our early years shape our lives. Research demonstrates that important growth in social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical development occurs from birth through 6 years of age. The early childhood educator – whether a teacher or child care provider – fosters childhood development and invests in children’s future.

The Oregon Employment Division forecasts the employment of early childhood educators in the Portland metropolitan area will increase by 18.4% through 2027.

Why choose Early Childhood Education at PCC?

Portland Community College’s Early Childhood Education program offers you the skills to succeed in the world of early childhood development, early childhood education centers, preschool programming, infant and toddler care, and family child care programs.

The Early Childhood Education courses and credentials are designed to meet the needs of working students. All courses for the certificate and 85% of courses for the AAS degree can be completed through a combination of classes offered in the evening, on Saturdays, and online.

Bilingual courses

The Early Childhood Education program now offers bilingual courses in English/Spanish. Courses are primarily held with Spanish lectures and English materials. This pathway is a great opportunity to learn industry specific language as well as support future educators who want to teach in Bilingual preschools and early learning centers. We also offer an Early Childhood Education Bilingual Cohort Scholarship!

View all Child and Family Studies degrees and certificates offered at PCC.

Degrees and certificates

What will you learn?

Early Childhood Education graduates will acquire:

• Excellent communication skills, including excellent verbal and written English skills
• Understanding their role as professionals in the field
• Ability to implement observation and guidance techniques to address children’s needs
• Ability to develop and plan activities and environments appropriate for individual children and diverse groups of children and their families.

It will be your job to help provide an environment that fosters growth and self-esteem – a place where children can thrive. You will:

• Communicate with parents daily and in formal conferences
• Develop and maintain environments where children thrive
• Guide children individually and in groups
• Identify and correct safety hazards
• Maintain records
• Observe and assess children
• Plan and implement activities
• Provide nutritious snacks
• Refer families and children with special needs to appropriate community resources
• Supervise assistants or other teachers

What will you do?

Graduates of this program are hired by:

• Childcare centers
• Head Start programs
• Early Head Start programs
• Parent cooperative preschools
• Parents hire graduates as nannies
• Private preschools and kindergartens
• Public schools hire graduates as teaching assistants
• Resource and referral agencies
• Start their in-home childcare and preschool programs

Want to employ an ECE Student?

Contact Parker Bennett, Jobs & Internships Specialist, for details on how to post a job opening.