Early Childhood Education

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

With Bates Technical College, students can take the first step in making a difference in children’s lives. Our early childhood education program is designed to help students discover a rewarding career dedicated to making an impact in the lives of young people and their families. Students prepare for positions as early learning program teachers, assistant teachers, program supervisors and center directors.

Contact Information:

Jason Carroll, Career Advisor

253-680-7410

jcarroll@batestech.edu

South Campus

7:30AM - 4:00PM

  • Get the skills you need for the career you want.

More about the program:

Students prepare for careers in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for such positions as Early Learning Program teacher, assistant teacher, program supervisor, and/or center director. The ECE curriculum prepares students to work with children birth to 8 years of age in diverse early childhood environments. The competencies are aligned with Washington State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education Professionals and national standards (National Association for the Education of Young Children) and identify eight (8) content areas organized into five (5) levels of proficiency. Early Childhood students will combined learned theories and practical laboratory experiences with young children in the college early childhood learning center under supervision with qualified educators. 

Degrees & Certificates:

  • Multiple AAS Options
  • Multiple AAS Transfer Options
  • Multiple Certificate Options
  • 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

Faculty and Other Contact Information:

Lisa Webb

253.680.7527

lwebb@batestech.edu

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.

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.

  • National Median Salary: $31,930
  • National Potential Annual Job Openings: 13,500

This information is based on data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, captured on June 2021.

The Early Childhood Education program at Bates Technical 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 www.naeyc.org.

The accreditation term for this program extends from September 2018 through September 2023.

Academic Year 

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

Retention Rate among Part-Time Candidates 

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

Retention Rate among Full-Time Candidates 

2018

No Data – Lost in Cyber Attack

No Data – Lost in Cyber Attack

No Data – Lost in Cyber Attack

No Data – Lost in Cyber Attack

2019

65%

N/A

62%

N/A

2020

65%

N/A

45%

N/A

Learn more about this program's Advisory Committee.

No forms have been provided.