Early Childhood Education
Overview
This program is designed and delivered to develop future educators with the foundations and background to begin a successful career in the childcare industry and related fields. The curriculum focuses on the basic principles of educational psychology, art of teaching, planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, social foundations of education, child development, and developmentally appropriate educational strategies for infants through preschool. Students also earn some of the 480 hours of training required to apply for a Child Development Associate Credential. Scroll down to the What to Expect section for more information.
Possible Certifications
Get Started with Center-Based Care (Required Health & Safety Training)
First Aid, Infant & Child CPR/AED Essentials
Act 31 Mandatory Reporter
Child Development Associate Credential
School-Age Professional Credential
SOAR Credits
Potential Career Opportunities

What to Expect
Students interested in this program will take Education Pathway courses for their first two school years at York Tech. These courses focus on the basic principles of educational psychology, art of teaching, planning and administration of educational activities, school safety and health issues, social foundations of education, and child development.
Upon completion of sophomore year, students will apply for entrance into either Early Childhood Education or K-12 Teacher Development, and they will be accepted based on merit and other criteria. Students who are not approved for their first choice will be assigned to the other program.
Students who enter the Early Childhood Education pathway will focus on developmentally appropriate educational strategies for infants through preschool. Students in the K-12 Teacher Development pathway will focus on developmentally appropriate educational strategies for kindergarten up to Grade 12. Students also earn some of the 480 hours of training required to apply for a Child Development Associate Credential or a School-Age Professional Credential.
Uniform
Students at York Tech are required to wear a uniform at all times. While in their shop classes, they must wear the uniform designated by the program instructor. At all other times, students may wear their shop uniform OR York Tech apparel, which is sold through the School Store and the Fan Shop. Please review the Student Handbook for a full explanation of the dress code.
The specific uniform requirements for the Education Pathway can be viewed below. All items that are hyperlinked must be purchased from the online store associated with the link. Items not hyperlinked may be purchased from any retailer, unless noted otherwise.
Required Items
Shop classes
Jeans, capris, khakis, or dress pants (no white pants)
Closed-toe shoes
2" binder
Large pencil box
Colored pencils, markers, crayons
Scissors and glue
Academic classes
Shop uniform, York Tech apparel, or Fan Shop apparel*
Pants or trousers
Optional Items
Clear or mesh backpack
*Some items sold in the Fan Shop, such as hats, may not be worn during school. Please review the Student Handbook for a full explanation of the dress code.