Early Childhood Education

Earn your Associate in Applied Science degree in early childhood education!

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Start a meaningful career shaping the next generation with our Early Childhood Education program. Designed for those passionate about making a difference, this hands-on program prepares you to support the growth and development of children from birth to age eight across a variety of early learning environments. You’ll build the knowledge and skills needed for roles such as teacher, assistant teacher, program supervisor, or center director, while gaining real-world experience in the college’s supervised early learning center. The curriculum is aligned with Washington State Core Competencies and national standards from the National Association for the Education of Young Children, ensuring you graduate ready to meet industry expectations. If you’re driven to positively impact children and families, Bates provides the training and experience to turn that passion into a rewarding career.

CONNECT WITH US!

Jason Carroll, Program Career Advisor

253.680.7410

jcarroll@batestech.edu

Lisa Webb, Instructor

253.680.7527

lwebb@batestech.edu

Arturo Contreras, M.S., Instructor

253.680.7546

arturo.contreras@batestech.edu

Devon Powers , Early Achievers Grant Advisor

253.680.7027

EAG@batestech.edu

Program Information

Degrees & Certificates:

  • Early Childhood Education - AAS (90 credits)
  • Early Childhood Education - AAS-T (90 credits)
  • CIP: 19.0709

Program Lengths:

  • AAS and AAS-T degree program lengths: 6 Quarters
  • Certificate of Competency: 2-3 Quarters
  • Training Certificates: 1 Quarter each

Location/Hours

South Campus

8AM - 12PM (Mon. - Thurs.)

Note: Information is accurate as of its original posting date. The college reserves the right to edit, change, or update information as needed throughout the year. Up-to-date information is available in Student Services.

  1. Create/design, implement and assess meaningful, culturally linguistic and ability diverse learning experiences
  2. Use specialized knowledge of child development and of individual children to create developmentally appropriate intentional and challenging learning environments
  3. Skillfully observe, document and assess all children’s development and learning in collaboration with families
  4. Build positive relationships and guide all children with reflective, thoughtful interactions
  5. Build culturally inclusive and respectful partnerships with children’s families and their communities
  6. Engage in professional behavior, following the NAEYC Code of Ethics and utilize community resources
  7. Recognize the obligation to lifelong learning and continued professional development

Prerequisites:

  1. Passed the Department of Early Learning Portable Background Check
  2. Negative Mantoux TB test in the 12 months prior to 1st day of class
  3. Must meet pre-determined COMPASS levels in reading and writing

Tuition and Fees

At Bates, our tuition is affordable and there are options to help make it even easier to gain an education. Federal aid is available for many of our students. Scholarships are also available through the Bates Foundation.

See if you qualify for other funding through our special funding programs with the Workforce Education office.

Early Achievers Grant

The Early Achievers Grant (EAG) is a student financial aid program to help employed childcare providers and early learning educators complete certificates and associate degrees in early childhood education. Visit the EAG page to find out if you qualify.

Learn more about this program’s Advisory Committee.

The AAS and AAS-T Early Childhood Education Programs at Bates Technical College are accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children www.naeyc.org. The current accreditation term runs from November 2024 to November 2029.

1. Number of program completers (Measure #1)

Academic Year Number of program completers % of program completers who were attending full-time (at time of completion) % of program completers who were attending part-time (at time of completion)
2023-20243142.75%57.25%
2022-20233045.75%54.25%
2021-20222No data availableNo data available
2. Program completion rate (Measure #2) 
Based on program’s published timeframe 
Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time students enrolled in the program (select the sequential years) % of those students who completed the program within 100% of the published timeframe (data for 150% is not available) % of those candidates who completed the program within 200% of the published timeframe 
202240%Data not available yet
20210%0%
202050%58%
3. One additional data measure chosen by program that speaks to program effectiveness (Measure #3) 
# and % of program graduates employed in the ECE profession of pursuing further education in the profession within 1 year of graduation for each of the 3 most recent academic years information is available 
Academic year in which graduate graduated  Number of program graduates% of those candidates who are employed in the ECE profession within 1 year of graduation
202230Data not available yet
20211580%
2020Data lost in cyber attackData lost in cyber attack