Program Overview
The Early Childhood Development Program is designed to give students an understanding of intellectual, physical, social, and emotional principles critical to providing quality care to children birth to five years of age. The program provides practical experience working with children in a variety of settings – child care facilities, in-home services, Head Start programs, and pre-school programs. Students may choose courses for direct care positions such as teachers and classroom assistants or they may select the entrepreneurial emphasis for child care center owners, administrators, and directors. This career-based program is designed for students desiring to enter the job market as child care providers, or owner/operators of child care services.
Program Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Early Childhood Development Program, the graduate will be able to:
- Apply evidence to promote health, safety, growth, and developmental needs of children.
- Plan and organize by implementing developmentally age-appropriate routines within the learning environment.
- Manage learning centers by implementing positive discipline strategies that can be utilized by childcare workers in the childcare setting.
- Implement developmentally age-appropriate curriculum activities that provide learning through communication, interest, and imagination.
- Use information and technology to communicate and document child information, record state and federal guidelines in supporting childhood programs.
- Communicate professionally with parents and families of childcare centers in extracurricular activities.
Choose an Emphasis
Students may select courses for the direct care emphasis--appropriate for provider positions such as teachers and classroom assistants--or for the entrepreneurial emphasis--designed for business owners, administrators, and directors of child care facilities.
Program Offerings
The Early Childhood Development Program also offers the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) in Technical Studies and Occupational Development. All three areas are designed to graduate childcare professionals with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in early childhood development which emphasizes the intellectual, physical, and emotional principles essential for working with children ages birth to five.
Approved Coursework Partners
This program provides approved coursework toward the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program (CDA) and the Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) Program as a collaborative project sponsored by the United States Department of Labor, West Virginia Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, the West Virginia Department of Education, child-care centers, Head Start programs and county vocational schools in several locations in West Virginia.
Meet Your Instructor!
Sherry Michael
Education Programs Coordinator/
Assistant Professor-Faculty
"Hello, my name is Sherry Michael. I am the Coordinator for Eastern’s Education Programs. I oversee the Education, Early Childhood Development, and Residential Care Specialists Programs for the College.
I am involved with the Grow Your Own (GYO) Program for high school juniors and seniors in Grant, Hardy, Hampshire, Pendleton and Tucker Counties.
Our Education Program is offered in partnership with Concord University and West Virginia University Parkersburg (WVUP). Students complete their Associate in Science Degree with Eastern then continue at Eastern for their Bachelor’s Degree through either Concord University or WVUP.
Join me in finding out about all our Education Program has to offer you. Embrace your future with us and know that ‘The future of the world is in our classrooms.’”
Estimate Your Costs
Eastern is one of the most affordable colleges in the United States!
Rates are for 2025-2026 and based on two full-time (12 credit hour) semesters. Rates are subject to change and do not include books, academic supplies, or student fees.
| Tuition Rates | Eastern | WV 2-Year Colleges | WV 4-Year Colleges |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Residents | $4,512 | $4,810 | $6,672 |
| Non-Residents | $4,512 | $9,886 | $14,952 |
Program Is Eligible for West Virginia Invests
Admissions and Enrollment Requirements
Eastern adheres to an open admission policy which means applications with a high school diploma or GED are eligible for admission. All students must have Hepatitis B shots, Food Handlers card, Self Disclosure statement, and WV State Police Criminal Identification Bureau (CIB) Report.