Early Childhood
Associate Degree (Pre-K)

AAS in Early Childhood Pre-K

The Prekindergarten Care and Education Program at Youngstown State University (YSU) equips students with the educational foundation to pursue fulfilling careers in preschool and childcare settings. This program is designed to meet state licensing prerequisites for administrators as outlined in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Licensing Rules, #5101:2 12 25, ensuring candidates are well prepared to obtain a Prekindergarten Associate License from the Ohio Department of Education.

Program Overview

This comprehensive program combines essential early childhood preschool courses focused on care from birth through age 4 with the must-have early childhood education courses mandated by the State of Ohio. It offers a blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience, providing a robust education that meets the state’s high standards.

Field Experience

A vital component of the Prekindergarten Care and Education Program is the field experience, which allows students to apply their learning in real-world settings. To partake in these invaluable experiences, students must complete requirements in courses SPED 2630, CHFM 1530, 3733L, and CHFM 3790

across a spectrum of educational environments. The essential preparatory steps include:

• Background Checks: A current (not more than one year old) resident state BCI and FBI background check must be on file at YSU prior to the commencement of any course requiring field experience.

• Field Experience Site Approval: The student’s field experience site must be officially approved by the course instructor by the end of the first week of class. Failure to submit the Teacher Education Planned Field Experience form by this deadline will necessitate course withdrawal and re- enrollment in a subsequent term

Learning Outcomes

Graduates of this program will be capable of:

• Applying knowledge of human growth and development in teaching young children.
• Planning and implementing learning experiences that cater to both individual and group needs.
• Developing educational strategies that enhance communication, problem-solving, decision-making, and critical thinking in young children.
• Tailoring teaching methods to accommodate diverse developmental levels, ethnic backgrounds, and learning styles
• Communicating effectively with children, their families, and
• Designing environments that support child guidance and foster a positive learning atmosphere.
• Addressing communicable diseases and implementing protective measures for staff and children.
• Initiating support for cases of child abuse and
• Fulfilling the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services requirements for child daycare providers.