Northern Virginia Community College
Northern Virginia Community College

Early Childhood Development

Early Childhood Development image

Work as an Early Childhood Professional with NOVA’s Programs

Whether you’re already working in early learning settings or want to work in the field, NOVA’s early childhood development programs will help you take your career to the next level.

Special Accreditation Status: The A.A.S. Early Childhood Development degree 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 current accreditation term runs from March 2018 through March 2025.

NAEYC Outcome Measures

AVAILABLE PROGRAMS

Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development

Start or move your career forward with NOVA’s Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Development degree. Through this associate degree program, you’ll be prepared to become an early childhood professional or seamlessly transfer to a four-year institution in Virginia.

Length:
Two Years
Credits:
62
Locations:
Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas
Curriculum Details

Early Childhood Development Career Studies Certificate

With NOVA’s Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in Early Childhood Development, you’ll be prepared to work with young children in safe and healthy environments that support their physical, cognitive and social-emotional development. You’ll be equipped for jobs such as assistant teacher, teacher, group leader or child care provider.

Length:
One Year
Credits:
16
Locations:
Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas, Online
Curriculum Details

Early Childhood Development: Infant and Toddler Care Career Studies Certificate

Prepare to start or advance your career as an early childhood professional with NOVA’s Career Studies Certificate (CSC) in Infant and Toddler Care. You’ll study how children grow and learn and how to effectively teach them through a curriculum developed by experts in the field. The curriculum also follows the standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), which promotes high-quality early childhood education. After completing your certificate, you’ll be prepared to continue your studies at a four-year institution.

Length:
One Year
Credits:
16
Locations:
Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas, Online
Curriculum Details

Early Childhood Development Certificate

In NOVA’s early childhood development certificate program, you’ll be prepared to work in environments where the care and education of young children is the main focus, such as child development programs, family child care homes, and before- and after-school programs.

Length:
One Year
Credits:
31
Locations:
Alexandria, Loudoun, Manassas, Online
Curriculum Details

Why Study Early Childhood Development at NOVA?

Experienced Early Childhood Development Faculty

You’ll learn from NOVA faculty with years of early childhood education experience. These dedicated educators are caring mentors who want to help you succeed at NOVA and in the field.

Comprehensive Early Childhood Development Courses

You’ll take courses accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the recognized standard of excellence in the field.

Affordable Early Childhood Development Programs

You’ll receive an affordable early childhood development education. You may even qualify for NOVA scholarships to offset the cost of tuition and fees.

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.

The Early Childhood Development Program prepares candidates to be proficient in the Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators:

Candidate Performance Academic Year 2023-24
STANDARD 1: Child Development and Learning in Context 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.
STANDARD 2: Family–Teacher Partnerships and Community Connections 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.
STANDARD 3: Child Observation, Documentation, and Assessment 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.
STANDARD 4: Developmentally, Culturally, and Linguistically Appropriate Teaching Practices 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.
STANDARD 5: Knowledge, Application, and Integration of Academic Content in the Early Childhood Curriculum 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.
STANDARD 6: Professionalism as an Early Childhood Educator 80% of the candidates meet or exceed expectations.

Accreditations

Northern Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees and certificates in early childhood development. The program is accredited through March 2025 by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NOVA bases the content of all early childhood education courses on NAEYC’s Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation.

Early Childhood Development Program Career Outcomes

The early childhood development programs at NOVA will prepare you for a range of jobs in the field, including jobs as an assistant teacher, teacher, group leader, family child care provider, child care/preschool program director, in-home child care owner/operator and curriculum specialist.

Credits and
Transfer Info

Credit for Prior Learning

Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional ways, including but not limited to: certifications, AP or IB exams, military training, or life experience.

More on Credit for Prior Learning

Transferring

Learn more about possible transfer opportunities associated with this program of study. Students interested in transferring should contact an advisor or counselor to further discuss their plans.

Transfer Information

Your Next Steps to NOVA