Early Childhood Education | NorthWest Arkansas Community College
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Social and Behavioral Sciences

Early Childhood Education

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Develop the skills necessary to effectively empower, engage and educate young learners in a variety of settings by pursuing an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education.

As you progress through the two-year program, you'll learn about the social, emotional, physical, cognitive, communicative and creative development of young children from birth to eight years of age.

Employment opportunities include infant, toddler, preschool and pre-k teachers and assistant teachers, as well as paraprofessionals and administrators at childcare centers, and in family childcare homes.  

Academic Paths & Resources

NWACC offers a certificate of proficiency, a technical certificate and an AAS in early childhood education. View the courses required to earn a certificate or degree, and see a number of student resources.

View the courses required to earn a Certificate of Proficiency in Child Development Associate (CDA).

For the certificate of proficiency in Child Development Associate (CDA), you must be employed in an approved early childhood program and working at least 30 hours per week with children of the appropriate age for CDA credential sought.

View the courses required to earn an Technical Certificate in Early Childhood Education.

View the following courses required to earn an AAS Early Childhood Education.

Although there is not a specific order for courses, it is highly recommended that you contact the early childhood education program coordinator for advising each semester to ensure that you are progressing toward obtaining the desired certificate or degree and know the most current information about transfer options. Email askbehsci@nwacc.edu with questions.

The Associate of Applied Science degree is designed for employment purposes. While many institutions accept courses in AAS programs, not all courses in the degree may transfer to other institutions. If you'd like to transfer, contact the institution to which you wish to transfer for additional information.  NWACC currently has a transfer partnership with Central Methodist University allowing AAS students seamless entry into CMU’s online Bachelor of Science Child Development program. 

  • Discover Early Childhood: A great resource for students who want to explore continuing their education in the field of early childhood.

  • The National Association for the Education of Young Children: The largest non-profit organization that advocates on behalf of young children and their families. View valuable resources for early childhood professionals and parents on their website. 

  • Arkansas Early Childhood Association: A local organization whose commitment is to increase the quality of early care and education throughout our community. Find out what our state Early Childhood Association is doing!  And this is the time to become a member!

  • Northwest Arkansas Head Start: The local affiliate of the state-wide Early Childhood Association. Get involved locally!

  • Teachstone: The home of the Classroom Assessment Scoring System, but it is much more than that. They have great resources for early childhood students and professionals.

  • Zero to Three: This organization works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development.

 

NWACC's early childhood education faculty are experienced in the area(s) in which they teach.

Natasha Kile, M.S.,  Education Chair 
Natasha has been in the early childhood field for over 25 years, with positions in public schools, higher education, and the non-profit sector.  Natasha holds a Bachelor's of Science in Human Environmental Science with an emphasis in Child Development from the University of Arkansas, and a Master's of Science in Childhood Services from Arkansas State University. She is married and has two daughters. She is the President of the Arkansas Early Childhood Association, and the Treasurer of the Northwest Arkansas Early Childhood Association.  

Natasha Kile, M.S.,  Education Chair 

Deb Kee, M.Ed., Adjunct Faculty 
Deb has been an NWACC early childhood adjunct since 2005. She is retired from the Bentonville Schools where she was the Director of Early Childhood. She currently serves on several early childhood boards to include NWACC’s Early Childhood board as well as Child Care Aware NWA and Parents As Teachers with the Bentonville School District. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary/Early Childhood and a Master’s Degree in Early Childhood. She is also certified in Educational Administration. Her 41 years of public school experience in the field of early childhood and her 18 years at NWACC brings a wealth of knowledge to our early childhood department. 

Deb Kee, M.Ed., Adjunct Faculty

Cathy McAuliffe, Ph.D., Adjunct Faculty 
Cathy was the Early Childhood Education Coordinator from 2006 to 2008, then again from 2016 to 2019.  She is currently adjunct faculty and teaches two classes each semester. 

 

Grace Macedo, M.S., Adjunct Faculty 
Grace Macedo has been an NWACC early childhood adjunct since 2004. She is retired from teaching Family and Consumer Science at the High School level.  She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Home Economics and a Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arkansas. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, gardening, watercolor, reading, boating, baking Portuguese desserts and breads, and other culinary challenges.