Early Education and Care
Overview
Taconic High School’s Early Education & Care Program prepares students for a career working with young children. The curriculum is designed to instruct students in the physical, cognitive, social and emotional development of children from infancy through age eight. Lesson include how to maintain a safe and nurturing environment and plan developmentally appropriate activities. Students will participate in off-site child care at a designated center their junior and senior year through community internships. The field of Early Childhood Education is one of the fastest growing professions in Massachusetts, with plentiful career opportunities available to well-educated child care professionals.
VTE Framework: Early Education & Care
Grade 9
Introduction to child growth and development, guiding children’s health and safety, exploring the role of the early childhood teacher.
Grade 10
Child growth and development (birth to age eight), maintaining a safe environment for children, developing interpersonal skills to work with children, planning developmentally appropriate children’s activities, participation in on-site laboratory child care center, OSHA 10 certification.
Grade 11
Investigate career opportunities, develop positive guidance techniques, plan and implement developmentally appropriate children’s activities, basics of child care administration, participation in on-site laboratory child care center, participation in community based early childhood internships.
Grade 12
Opportunity to participate in cooperative education program. participation in community based early childhood internship, accreditation and licensing for child care programs, introduction to administration of child care programs, opportunity to earn MA Early Education and Care (EEC), preschool teacher certification, CPR and First-Aid Certification.
Training/ Skills You will Learn:
• Child Growth and Development (birth to age eight)
• Maintaining a Safe Environment
• First Aid and CPR (infant, child and adult)
• OSHA 10 Certification
• On-site Laboratory Child Care Center
• Internships in Community Centers
• Opportunity to earn MA EEC Preschool Teacher Certification
Career Opportunities
With a High School Degree
PreSchool Teacher
Salaries: $30,000 per year
With a 2 Year College Degree
Director of Early Learning Center
Salaries: $45,000+ per year
With a 4 Year College Degree
Elementary School Teacher
Salaries: $70,000+ per year