Below you will find a listing, and course description of all of the Early Childhood Education Classes in the category of Professionalism. Not all courses are offered each semester. See the official schedule for courses that are open for registration. Most of the courses are also available as customized/contract training classes for your organization. Contact the Early Childhood program for more information.
Adventures in Computing, ECH099, hours:12
This course is for early childhood educators who have limited or no computer experience. You will learn basic computer skills necessary for working in most Windows-driven applications. Components of a computer and keyboarding will be introduced. Learn to create simple documents and spreadsheets and navigate within the Windows environment.
Adventures in Computing Part II, ECH075, hours: 12
This course builds upon the basic computer functions introduced in Adventures in Computing I. Satisfactory completion of Adventures in Computing I is a prerequisite to taking Adventures II. An introduction/review to the basic internet approach to accessing and using information will be presented. An advanced level of computer software applications will be presented in this course. Topics will include the fundamentals of email communications, using a Digital Camera, creating presentations, and working with the EXCEL spreadsheet programs. Each separate topic will include step by step fundamentals with hands on practice and constructive individualized attention from the instructor.
Beyond Licensing: Next Steps, ECH035, hours: 3
Learn how to communicate better with parents and ensure smooth client relations by establishing your own personal policies and procedures. Use these policies to provide materials, and design effective contracts and parent handbooks. Completely restructure your program without angering clients.
Caring for Young Children is a Career: Creating a Professional Portfolio, ECH048, hours 4
Teachers of young children have a special role in shaping society, community, and the attitudes and behaviors of future adults. This is a serous responsibility. Learn how to identify your skills. The focus of this class will be to identify and organize materials that define and support the child care professional.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Renewal Class, ECH080, hours: 45
This course is designed to provide training to CDA credentialed individuals and meets the Credential Renewal Requirements. Topics include intellectual, language, social-emotional and motor development of children birth to age five. Techniques for facilitating parent-child interactions will be presented as well as discussion of the latest neuroscience information relating to young children.
Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Assessment Preparation, ECH132, hours: 30
This class prepares students to be ready for national CDA assessment by the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. The 30-hour course reviews the Thirteen Functional Areas of learning that serve as the foundation of the CDA Credential for early childhood educators. The class reviews the content of each functional area and provides detailed information to CDA candidates to assist them in understanding and preparation of the required Verification Visit Assessment materials.
Communication Skills for Childcare Professionals, ECH170, hours 9
This course is designed for childcare professionals as an introduction to the basic concepts of developing strong communication skills when working in a child care center.
Topics include: speaking, writing, interpersonal communication strategies, and critical techniques, with a focus on communication with parents and co-workers, and communication issues within a typical child care day.
Continuing Education I, ECH097, hours: 6
This course is for participants who elect to enroll in three two-hour presentations in one day, all of which contribute to their recertification as child care providers in Montgomery County. Topics covered will be: designing smooth transitions in the classroom, the importance of open ended art projects, beyond counting introducing preschoolers to math.
Developing Documents for Child Care Programs-Communications, Policies, and Contracts, ECH057, hours: 4
Work with peers to brainstorm components of each document. Working together, findings will be reviewed and consolidate. Available resources will also be covered.
Effective Staff Teamwork in Early Childhood Settings, ECH056, hours 4
A strong teaching team transforms a workplace into a joyous working atmosphere. Explore techniques for effective and consistent communication which acknowledges strengths of all persons and which addresses concerns and welcomes suggestions.
Family Child Care: Pre-Service Module Series, ECH197, hours: 28
This is an approved training by the Maryland State Department of Education/Division of Early Childhood Office of Child Care that fulfills the family childcare preservice training requirements. Students must register and attend all eight sessions to receive CEUs. Levels I-III (0.28 CEUs)
Family Child Care Pre-Service Module Five, ECH168, hours: 4
This course is designed as an introduction to the basic administrative tasks of operating a family child care program. Topics include supervision, appropriate guidance, abuse and/or neglect, basic recordkeeping, policies and procedures, marketing, handbooks and contracts.
Financing a Child Care Facility: Becoming Financially Savvy, ECH049, hours 4
Money can be a mystery when we attempt to design and implement quality programs for young children. This course explores loan acquisition opportunities, fun raising, budgeting, taxes, salaries, and other facets of money management related to financing child care programs.
Foundational Adventures in Computing for Early Childhood Educator, ECH063, hours: 45
This is an introductory course designed to provide Early Childhood Educators with a basic understanding of computer operations and document creation using Microsoft Office Suite software.
Individualized Children’s Portfolio Development: Learn To Observe and Document Behaviors, ECH180, total of 7 hours:
3 hours Child Development2 hours Professionalism
2 hours Community
Researchers and educators have identified the need to assess baseline information about children’s abilities and individual developmental levels in order to plan useful classroom activities. When this information is attained, teachers can plan to address and design lessons that support each child’s emerging skills. During recent years, the value of developing Individualized Child Portfolios has become a popular and valuable strategy for documenting and measuring achievement toward learning goals. This class presents formats and methods for developing these portfolios and sharing the information with families.
Implementing the Fundamentals of NAEYC Developmentally Appropriate Practices, ECH179, total hours: 6
3 hours Child Development3 hours Professionalism
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) created a blueprint for working with children aged birth through eight years entitled Developmentally Appropriate Practice ((DAP). This valuable booklet presents a set of carefully articulated child developmental stages, combined with appropriate instructional strategies for nurturing and instructing specific age groups. This document is a vital and practical resource for teachers working in early learning environments. Join us in examining and discussing these valuable tools to improving professional behaviors and becoming a more effective teacher.
Introduction to Early Childhood Education, ECH155, hours: 45
This course covers curriculum modes, a teacher’s roles, and family relationships. Topics include historical development, significant issues, current trends, ethics, and national standards in early childhood education.
Marketing a Child Care Business-Basic ECH059, hours: 4
Child care business owners, center directors, and family child care providers will learn how to define, price, and promote their services. Marketing to new clients will be examined. Determine what makes your business special and unique, then develop an action plan for success.
MSDE Requirements: What’s New? What Do I Do? ECH147, hours:6
In 2007, the Maryland State Department of Education revised training requirements. Several categories of child care staff working in homes and in centers will be impacted by these changes. This class will review the new standards, timelines for implementation of requirements, and explore a variety of options intended to bring staff and programs into compliance with the updated State training mandates. Program administrators and approved OCC trainers would benefit from this interactive dialogue course.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct: The NAEYC Accreditation Setting and Measuring Professional Goals, ECH186, hours 3
Invest time in your career. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has developed tools to assist individuals working in the field of early education to understand and attain the highest quality of professional behavior. This class explores concepts of intentionally designed environments and positive, nurturing instructional strategies. Join us in a discussion of these principles to enhance your classroom performance and professional development. Levels III-V
OneUp: Module 9; The Maryland Department of Education, Office of Child ECH116, hours: 5
Care has developed staff training and licensing requirements to establish and sustain quality levels of educational and environmental settings. These requirements are reviewed during this session. The Maryland Child Care Credential and the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) are described in this module.
Recordkeeping for Family Child Care Providers-Basic ECH055, hours 4
Learn tax terminology as well as how to track income, organize receipts, and keep track of time used for business. Learn the importance of accurate monthly record keeping.The difference between direct and shared expenses, when to pay taxes, and how to get the most from allowable deductions will be addressed.
The Certification Process for Opening a Family Childcare Home Business ECH154, hours: 34
Are you interested in opening your own daycare at home? This course will cover the necessary requirements established by the State of Maryland, Office of Child Care. We will study the Core of Knowledge as well as CPR, first aid and SIDS.
What’s a CDA Credential? ECH042, hours 3
This course provides an overview of the requirements and activities involved in applying for and earning a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. The CDA is a nationally recognized, competency-based credential available to caregivers of children ages birth to five years. The CDA can be earned in several different settings; center-based preschool, center-based infant and toddler settings: family child care homes, and a home visitor credential for those providing adult education in child development in home settings.
Why Are We Doing This? Theories Influencing ECE Practices, ECH227, hours; 9
Do you wonder about the reasons underlying the activities that take place in preschool classrooms every day? How does a teacher decide how to structure the day with young children? What motivates individual teachers in their planning? This class introduces the theories which shape teacher behaviors in early childhood education programs. The course will include an overview of several leading philosophies, ideas, and contributions to the current standards of best practices. Levels I-V (0.9 CEUs)