Shape Young Minds with an Early Childhood Education AAS Degree
The first eight years of a child’s life are crucial for emotional, cognitive, social, and physical development. Early childhood educators must be well-trained, experienced, and prepared to provide high-quality care and education. At Iowa Lakes, you’ll gain the skills, certifications, and real-world experience needed to launch a rewarding career in early childhood education.
If you want to jumpstart your career quickly, you can earn an Early Childhood Education Diploma in just three terms. Want even more career opportunities? Complete our two-year Associate in Applied Science (AAS) degree to expand your skills, qualifications, and job prospects.
This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as child growth and development, curriculum planning, classroom guidance, and child health, safety, and nutrition. By combining hands-on experience with advanced coursework, Iowa Lakes equips students with confidence and competence in the early education field. These valuable and portable skills allow graduates to make a meaningful impact in various settings, including preschools, childcare centers, and early learning programs.
As an Iowa Lakes student, you’ll also broaden your general education background while developing awareness of current issues in education. Whether you’re preparing for a role as a teaching assistant, childcare provider, nanny, or early childhood program director or planning to transfer to a four-year university, this program provides a solid foundation for success.
Our Early Childhood Education AAS program follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Preparation Standards, ensuring you receive high-quality, industry-aligned training that prepares you for the demands of the field.
Explore career opportunities and salary projections through the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Early Childhood Education Outlook.
Connect with an enrollment coach today and take the first step toward shaping young minds!
Find Your It!
Kickstart your Early Childhood Education Career at Iowa Lakes!
Earn Multiple Credentials in One Program
By completing the Early Childhood Education AAS Degree, you’ll automatically earn the Early Childhood Education Diploma, giving you a versatile education and expanding your career options.
Develop Core Skills in Early Childhood Education
The Early Childhood Education, AAS program at Iowa Lakes provides students with comprehensive training in:
- Child Growth & Development – Understand the stages of physical, emotional, and cognitive development
- Curriculum Planning – Learn to design engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans
- Child Health, Safety & Nutrition – Gain expertise in creating safe learning environments
- Classroom Guidance & Behavior Management – Develop strategies to foster positive interactions and learning experiences
- General Education & Education Trends – Stay informed on current issues in education
Practical Experience & Workforce Readiness
Students gain real-world teaching experience through:
- Hands-On Practicum & Internships – Work directly with children in licensed childcare settings
- Classroom Observations – Learn from experienced educators in real classrooms
- NAEYC-Aligned Training – Receive education that meets national professional preparation standards
Program Details
Length
4 terms
Degree
Associate in Applied Science (66 credits)
Campus
Estherville
Training
Two Field Experiences
Your Career Pathway: Additional Degree & Certificate Options
Additional Information
Term 1
ECE 103 – Intro to Early Childhood Ed
Gives students a historical and philosophical foundation of the field of early childhood education. Includes an overview of assessment and trends that influence best practices. Explores careers in the field. Addresses influences of families and diversity.
ECE 110 – Early Childhood Professionals I
Emphasizes problem solving skills and team building through a variety of group activities.
Prerequisites: Enrollment in Early Childhood Education program
ECE 112 – Portfolio Development I
Guides students’ development of a professional early childhood education portfolio showcasing their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in alignment with the NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation of Students at the Associate Degree Level.
ECE 133 – Child Health, Safety, and Nutrition
Focuses on current concepts in the fields of health, safety and nutrition and their relationship to the growth and development of the young child ages birth to eight. Blends current theory with practical applications and assessments. Includes the influences of families and diversity on health, safety, and nutrition in early childhood settings.
ECE 158 – Early Childhood Curriculum I
Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensitive care. Emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments in the following areas: dramatic play, art, music, fine and gross motor play.
ECE 170 – Child Growth and Development
Reviews typical and atypical development of children from conception to adolescence in all developmental domains. Presents interactions between child, family and society within a variety of community and cultural contexts. Examines theories associated with our understanding of children.
ENG 105 – Composition I
Emphasis on expository and argumentative writings including a review of usage and mechanics.
Prerequisites: Satisfactory score on the ACT, Accuplacer, ASSET, COMPASS as determined by Iowa Lakes policy
Term 2
ECE 111 – Early Childhood Professionals II
Emphasizes human relations skills including communication, leadership, personal appearance, etiquette and job seeking skills.
Prerequisites: ECE 110 – Early Childhood Professionals I
ECE 159 – Early Childhood Curriculum II
Focuses on the development, implementation and assessment of appropriate environments and curricula for young children ages three through eight. Students prepare to utilize developmentally appropriate practices in a context of family and culturally sensitive care. Emphasis is on understanding children’s developmental stages and developing appropriate learning opportunities, interactions and environments in the following areas: emergent literacy, math, science, technology and social studies.
ECE 221 – Infant/Toddler Care and Education
Focuses on care, education, and assessment of children from birth to thirty-six months. Prepares students to utilize developmentally appropriate practices including responsive caregiving, routines as curriculum, importance of relationships with diverse families, and a focus on the whole child in inclusive settings.
ECE 243 – Early Childhood Guidance
Focuses on developmentally appropriate, evidence-based approaches and positive guidance strategies for supporting the development of each child. Emphasizes supportive interactions and developmentally appropriate environments. Uses assessment to analyze and guide behaviors. Studies impact of family, and each child’s culture, language and ability on child guidance.
ECE 262 – Early Childhood Field Experience
Supervised experience in selected early childhood settings serving children ages birth through eight. Includes integration of theory, research, and reflective practice. Provides an understanding of developmentally appropriate practices and the developmental stages of diverse populations of young children and families. Emphasizes professional relationships and behavior, appropriate adult / child interactions, basic curriculum planning, and program routines.
Prerequisites: ECE 170 – Child Growth and Development
Corequisites: ECE 158 – Early Childhood Curriculum I and ECE 159 – Early Childhood Curriculum II
SPC 101 – Fundamentals of Oral Communication†
The fundamentals course develops the basic skills involved in a variety of communication situations, including oral presentations and interpersonal speaking. Emphasis is placed on organization, audience analysis, vocal and physical delivery, listening, nonverbal communication, critical thinking, and methods of dealing with communication apprehension through class discussion and activities.
Term 3
ECE 140 – Early Childhood Curriculum Planning
Examines and evaluates early childhood curriculum and methods leading to the development and implementation of appropriate curricula for young children.
ECE 210 – Early Childhood Prof III
This course emphasizes problem solving skills and team building through a variety of group activities.
Prerequisites: ECE 111 – Early Childhood Professionals II
ECE 290 – Early Childhood Program Admin
Covers the basic principles involved in setting up, equipping and administering a child care center .Emphasis is on business procedures, insurance, funding, state and federal regulations, staff and community relations, record keeping, policy writing, program evaluation and child care advocacy.
EDU 235 – Children’s Literature
Teaches the criteria for choosing the best children’s literature and applies that criteria to evaluating materials to be used in the classroom.
ENG 106 – Composition II
Continuation of ENG 105 with emphasis on research and documentation as well as literary analysis.
Prerequisites: ENG 105 – Composition I
Term 4
ECE 113 – Portfolio Development II
Guides students’ completion and presentation of a professional early childhood education portfolio showcasing their knowledge, skills, and dispositions in alignment with the NAEYC Standards for Professional Preparation of Students at the Associate Degree Level.
Prerequisites: ECE 112 – Portfolio Development I
ECE 215 – Home, School & Community Relations
Focuses on current understanding of supporting children and families in relations to home, school, and community contexts. Emphasis is on building respectful, culturally sensitive relationships with families, utilizing community resources and working with diverse families.
ECE 278 – Early Childhood Field Experience II
This a supervised experience of at least 80 contact hours in a selected early childhood settings serving children ages birth through eight.
Prerequisites: ECE 210 – Early Childhood Prof III and ECE 262 – Early Childhood Field Experience
General Education & Program Learning Outcomes
In the Early Childhood Education Program at Iowa Lakes, you will learn how to:1
- Identify appropriate milestones of child development
- Create developmentally appropriate learning environments
- Demonstrate supportive, respectful, reciprocal relationships using knowledge of family systems, culture, and community
- Conduct responsible assessment to promote positive outcomes to support young children and their families
- Apply effective strategies and learning approaches for early education
- Design plans to implement developmentally appropriate learning opportunities that promote development within all learning domains
- Apply an ethical understanding of the early childhood profession
- Advocate on behalf of young children and their families
1The What You’ll Learn section of our website provides a description of Learning Outcomes for students who successfully complete all requirements for obtaining an Early Childhood Education Associate in Applied Science degree from Iowa Lakes Community College.
Certifications & Accreditation
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education AAS program at Iowa Lakes earn industry-recognized certifications that prepare them for safe, responsible, and effective caregiving in educational settings.
Specialized Certifications:
- First Aid & CPR – Emergency response training for infants, children, and adults
- Bloodborne Pathogens – Safety protocols for handling potential exposure in childcare settings
- Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting – Training to recognize and report signs of abuse and neglect
- Essentials Training – Fundamental knowledge for maintaining a safe and supportive learning environment
Accreditation:
The Early Childhood Education program at Iowa Lakes follows the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Professional Preparation Standards, ensuring students receive top-quality, industry-aligned education that meets national professional benchmarks for early childhood educators.
Career Opportunities & Advancement
Graduates of the Early Childhood Education AAS program are prepared for roles such as:
- Teaching Assistant – Support lead teachers in preschools, Head Start programs, and elementary classrooms
- Childcare Provider – Work in licensed childcare centers, in-home daycare, or private care settings
- Nanny – Provide personalized early education and care for families
- Early Childhood Program Director – Oversee the operation and management of childcare programs
- Transfer to a Four-Year University – Continue your education in early childhood development or elementary education
With strong job placement rates and high demand for early childhood educators, Iowa Lakes provides the practical training, industry-aligned curriculum, and professional experience needed to launch a successful career in education.
Scholarship Opportunity – TEACH Early Childhood Iowa is a comprehensive scholarship program that provides the early childhood workforce access to educational opportunities and is helping establish a well-qualified, fairly compensated and stable workforce for our children.
Hands-On
Training
Career-Ready
Day One
Opportunities, Earnings & Growth
Projected Employment Growth
.6%
Potential Careers
Childcare Worker, Teacher Assistant, Education Administrator, Preschool and Childcare Center, Self
Employment, In-home Day Care, Nanny
Projected Earnings
Iowa Workforce
$36,650
Average Salary
US Bureau of Labor
$47,110
Average Salary
START YOUR LAKER JOURNEY IN 4 STEPS!
Questions? Let's Talk
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Melissa Regelstad Professor | Early Childhood Education 712-362-7910 | mregelstad@iowalakes.edu |