An associate degree in Early Childhood Education takes two years to complete at the Penn Foster College. It can be taken on campus or online depending on what suits your schedule. Should you wish to complete a bachelor’s degree on the same course in the future, you need to make sure now that the credits you earn from this program will be transferrable to the bachelor’s degree.

Those who wish to pursue a career in teaching, this course will help you equip yourself with the right qualifications and skills. If you’re dedicated to excel in the teaching field later on, earning the proper qualifications is the right step particularly nowadays when parents expect much from their children’s day care and pre-school teachers.

Students covered by this program will have to study the basics of psychology, early childhood education and its curriculum, language and literacy development in young children, health, safety and nutrition of children. During the course, you will be exposed to the basic and proper methods of helping pre-school children gain literacy skills specifically in reading and writing,

Employment prospects for this field are on the upswing and foreseen to go up by almost 11 percent through 2018. Graduates of an associate degree can work in programs offering early childhood education such as in day care centers.

It’s important to note here that states vary in the education requirements for professionals wishing to work in the field of early childhood education. Licensing agencies provide the specific requirements which can include a background check particularly for those who work in day care centers and schools.