About The Program

The program is designed to prepare students for employment as early childhood development professionals and to supplement the education of individuals who are already employed in the field. The Early Childhood curriculum covers a complete spectrum of issues in child development and education. Additionally, the curriculum is common across the state by peer group agreement, and it covers the areas recommended for NAEYC Associate Degree programs in Early Childhood Education.

Program Details

The Early Childhood curriculum covers a complete spectrum of issues in child development and education. The curriculum is common across the state by peer group agreement, and it covers the areas recommended for NAEYC Associate Degree programs in Early Childhood Education. The curriculum is designed to prepare Early Childhood Professionals. This includes people presently employed in early learning settings, and those seeking employment in the field. It also provides seamless articulation for those who wish to continue their education at a four-year institution.

  • Transfer Opportunities

    Transfer is not the primary purpose of this degree; however, NOVA may have agreements that facilitate the transfer of this and other career-oriented programs to selected senior institutions. The Transfer Pathway link provides the GMU Advance program and details how the Early Childhood Development, A.A.S. (ECD) program transfers. Other Virginia institutions also accept the ECD degree. Students interested in transferring should contact a faculty advisor or counselor to discuss their options and plans.

    Articulation Information: Several senior institutions in Virginia accept this degree in its totality for entrance into programs that may lead to public school Early Childhood Teacher Licensure (PreK-Grade 3 and/or Early Childhood Special Education) in Virginia. Students interested in early childhood pathways to teacher licensure should speak with a NOVA Early Childhood Development (CHD) advisor.

  • Credit for Prior Learning

    Northern Virginia Community College accepts industry-standard certifications, credentials and/or professional courses for credit. Broadly, licenses, credentials and/or certifications must be current and valid for consideration. For more information regarding the status of the certification and its eligibility for credit, please see an advisor or faculty members in the discipline area that awards CPL credit.

  • Career Prospects

    Students attaining an AAS in Early Childhood development may serve as lead teachers, directors, owners/operators, and curriculum specialists in child care and preschool settings. Students may also work as instructional assistants in public school settings.

  • Faculty

    Alexandria

    Name Phone Email
    Dr. Christine Schull
    Assistant Dean
    703.845.6224 cschull@nvcc.edu
    Pam Blankenship (adjunct) 703.575.4722 pblankenship@nvcc.edu
    Sherry Chevalley (adjunct) 703.575.4722 schevalley@nvcc.edu
    Stephanie Cunningham (adjunct) 703.575.4722 scunningham@nvcc.edu
    Virginia Holloway (adjunct) 703.575.4722 vholloway@nvcc.edu
    Ana Hoover (adjunct) 703.575.4722 ahoover@nvcc.edu
    Nancy Hoyler (adjunct) 703.575.4722 nhoyler@nvcc.edu
    Amy Johnson (adjunct) 703.575.4722 ajohnson@nvcc.edu
    Shelley Keith (adjunct) 703.575.4722 skeith@nvcc.edu
    Trista Mason (adjunct) 703.575.4722 tmason@nvcc.edu
    Kristine Ruscello (adjunct) 703.575.4722 kruscello@nvcc.edu
    Yvonne Spencer (adjunct) 703.575.4722 yspencer@nvcc.edu
    • Access - Increase access to under-served populations.
    • Partnerships - Develop strategic partnerships to create gateways of opportunity.
    • Leadership - Serve as a catalyst and a leader in developing educational and economic competitiveness.

    Loudoun

    Name

    Email

    Susan Johnson-Program Head

    sjohnson@nvcc.edu

    Dawn Crowson (Adjunct)

    dcrowson@nvcc.edu

    Dr. Jennifer Kaywork (Adjunct)

    jkaywork@nvcc.edu

    Lauren Lang (Adjunct)

    llang@nvcc.edu

    Ann-Marie Lanius (Adjunct)

    alanius@nvcc.edu

    Gail Multop (Adjunct)

    gmultop@nvcc.edu

    Laura McCarty (Adjunct)

    lmccarty@nvcc.edu

    Dr. Rachel Sweeney (Adjunct)

    rsweeney@nvcc.edu

    Kathleen Tanas (Adjunct)

    ktanas@nvcc.edu

     

    Manassas

    Dr. Kathleen Ludlow, Program Head
    kludlow@nvcc.edu
    Since January 2002, Dr. Ludlow has served full-time as the Early Childhood Program Head at the Manassas Campus.  Dr. Ludlow brings a wealth of experience from both public and private sectors to NOVA.  Expertise as an early childhood educator, trainer, and former owner of early learning centers make her an ideal program head and early childhood professor. 

    Ms. Bernice Mayfield
    bmayfield@nvcc.edu
    Since August 2014, Ms. Mayfield has served full-time as an early childhood professor at NOVA. Prior to this time, Ms. Mayfield was an adjunct at NOVA for the early childhood programs.  Ms. Mayfield’s experience, in both public and private sectors of early childhood education as an educator and mentor, make her an ideal early childhood professor.

    Adjuncts

    Ms. Lucy Amos
    Experienced early childhood educator and trainer.  Ms. Amos brings a global perspective to the early childhood classroom.  Ms. Amos enjoys spending time with her family and early childhood advocacy.

    Dr. Rosemary Burton
    Long time adjunct professor of early childhood education at NVCC.  Dr. Burton is instrumental in preparing child care providers to work in the field of early childhood education.  Dr. Burton enjoys ballroom dancing and working with early childhood committees for the betterment of this field.

    Ms. Deborah Donovan
    Experienced licensed public teacher.  Ms. Donovan begins a wealth of knowledge, talent and interest in early childhood education to the classroom.  Ms. Donovan enjoys spending time with her family and teaching at NVCC in the early childhood programs.

    Ms. Amy Josephson
    Knowledgeable early childhood educator who enjoys rich hands-on learning experiences.  Ms. Josephson enjoys spending time with her family and planning early childhood activities.

    Ms. Kristal Menchaca
    Highly experienced educator at both the community college and university levels.  Ms. Menchaca is particularly knowledgeable in the areas of infant and child development, behavior guidance, and health/safety of young children.  Ms. Menchaca enjoys spending time with her family and child advocacy.

    Ms. Deborah Stepien
    Knowledgeable early childhood professional with 28+ years of experience working with young children and families in a variety of settings.  Ms. Stepien is a highly skilled child development and Child Find specialist, assessor, child advocate and licensed teacher.  Ms. Stepien enjoys volunteer work and travel.

  • Academic Advising

    Alexandria Campus

    Dr. Christine Schull, Program Head
    cschull@nvcc.edu

    Ginny Holloway
    vholloway@nvcc.edu

    Loudoun Campus

    Susan Johnson, Program Head
    sjohnson@nvcc.edu

    Manassas Campus

    Dr. Kathleen Ludlow, Program Head
    kludlow@nvcc.edu

    Bernice Mayfield
    bmayfield@nvcc.edu

  • Scholarships
  • Professional Resources

NAEYC Accreditation

The Early Childhood Development Program at Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. The accreditation term runs from March 2018 through March 2025.

NVCC bases the content of all ECE courses on NAEYC’s Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation. This link is to data on program outcomes.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Outcome Measure #1: The Number of Program Completers

Academic Year

Number of program completers

Percentage of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion)

Percentage of program completers who were attending part-time[1] (at the time of completion)

2020-2021

77

28%

72%

2019-2020

53

10%

90%

2018-2019

72

13%

87%

Outcome Measure #2: The Program Completion Rate

Expected graduation timeframe two years

Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time candidates enrolled in the program (select three sequential years)

Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe

Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 300% (three times) of the published timeframe.

2015-2016

28%

34%

2014-2015

28%

34%

2013-2014

25%

29%

Outcome Measure #3: Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate

Academic Year

Percent of Part-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)

Retention Rate among Part-Time Candidates

Percent of Full-Time Candidates Enrolled in the Program (% of Total Enrollment)

Retention Rate among Full-Time Candidates

2019-2020

78%

42%

22%

54%

2018-2019

78%

36%

22%

46%

2017-2018

76%

37%

24%

44%

Career Coach

Contact

Alexandria Campus
Christine Schull

Loudoun Campus
Susan Johnson

Manassas Campus
Kathleen Ludlow