By Anna King
Velocity Contributor
Courtney Nolen oversees more than eight early childhood programs and a dozen educators for the YMCA in Western Washington.
Nolen secured her coveted role with an associate degree but recently enrolled into City University of Seattle’s new Early Childhood Education program to earn a bachelor degree with an emphasis in Program Administration.
Surprisingly, Nolen’s return to college for more specialized training in early learning, despite her vast experience, isn’t unusual. Federal and state lawmakers have put a microscope on quality, early childhood learning programs, especially in daycares and preschools. The increased interest stems from documented research that affirms children who receive a strong foundation in early learning are better prepared for success in language arts, mathematics, science, social studies and other school subjects.
This focus has prompted those in the field, like Nolen, to seek out a related bachelor program. At this time, federal law requires only federally funded Head Start teachers to have a bachelor degree. National and state laws could change as the spotlight intensifies on this issue.
“Because these early years make up the foundation for all learning that follows, many policy makers now believe the educational needs of children preschool through third grade can only be met by teachers with a bachelor degree who have specialized training in Early Childhood Education,” says Retta Main, CityU of Seattle Early Childhood Program Coordinator.
To address the vital need for early learning teachers and administrators, CityU launched its Early Childhood Education bachelor program in October. The university welcomed its first two cohorts, or student groups, at the Bellevue site and in Tacoma at Bates Technical College - a CityU partner school. In the near future, CityU expects to create partnerships with more community colleges as these institutions have voiced a need for an early childhood program, Main says.
Specifically, this new program concentrates on critical child development and learning needs of children, ages birth to eight. Students may choose from the following emphasis area options: infant/toddler or program administration. Additionally, they may earn a teaching certificate in early childhood education, qualifying them to instruct preschool through third (P-3) grade.
Classes also are available during the evening or online, allowing students who hold jobs in education to continue their work with children while completing the program.
Visit the CityU Early Childhood Education Web page for more information.
Early Childhood Education students say they are confident a degree will help them better understand children, mentor other early childhood educators and open doors of opportunity.
With her first quarter nearly completed, Nolen says she’s able to apply lessons from her CityU classroom directly to her job at the YMCA. This includes knowledge about early childhood cognitive development and brain research.
“I can take this stuff that I’m learning and bring it to the people in my office,” says Nolen, who attends classes at Bates. “Maybe I can persuade my staff to go and pursue more education. We need more people that are educators to have this type of education. It’s not just a job - it’s something that’s important for these children and it’s needed.”
Like Nolen, Student Evette Ramos wants her bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education even with her many years in the field. As director of a North Seattle Head Start program, Ramos also uses tips she picks up from her instructors and shares them with her employees. Recently, she advised her group to talk to infants when they change their diapers and read them more stories.
“It’s very gratifying to know that I can learn something that has practical application in my real world,” says Ramos, who hopes to teach early childhood education someday at a college level.
Following their graduation, Ramos and Nolen stand to gain higher salaries or improve their leadership roles because of their specialized degrees.
According to Thrive By Five Washington - a non-profit group that champions for early learning opportunities - early childhood degree holders will be in demand if the state implements a planned education rating system for daycares and preschools.
Nina Auerback, Thrive By Five Washington President and CEO, says the state is expected to give higher ratings to childcare centers with employees who have early childhood degrees. Other state plans include more high quality preschools, all-day kindergarten and improved prenatal and infant wellness programs.
“It is the direction of the future. The idea is to incentivize providers to get more education to get recognition,” Auerbach says.
Statewide, CityU is one of the few universities to offer an early childhood degree to fulfill these ongoing needs. By partnering with more community colleges, CityU also will be able to provide this degree to those working in communities with the youngest children.
“Students tell me this is the early childhood BA program they’ve been waiting for. The program design, flexibility, emphasis and certification options - all provide an individualized approach to earning a BA degree in the field they are most passionate about,” Main says. “These factors set the CityU Early Childhood Education bachelor program apart from other programs in the state.”
For more information about CityU’s Early Childhood Education degree, visit our Web page.