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Early Childhood Administration Certificate

Early Childhood Administration Certificate

This curriculum prepares individuals pursuing administrative roles in diverse child care settings to effectively work with children, families and teachers. The certificate is composed of learning opportunities in developmental theories, competency, and evidence-based professional knowledge, administrative skills, and leadership qualities.

Coursework includes foundations in early childhood education, physical/nutritional needs of young children, safety issues in the care of young children, communication and leadership skills with teachers, families, and children; programming and staffing, budgeting/financial management, marketing, and rules and regulations of early childhood programs.

Employment opportunities include entrepreneurship and/or management of child development and child care programs, preschools, public and private schools, recreational centers, Early Head Start and Head Start programs, and other programs.

Specific Requirements

  1. General college admission requirements.
  2. According to GS 110-91, “No person shall be an operator of nor be employed in a child care facility who has been convicted of a crime involving child neglect, child abuse, or moral turpitude, or who is a habitually excessive user of alcohol or who illegally uses narcotic or other impairing drugs, or who is mentally or emotionally impaired to an extent that may be injurious to children.”
  3. Criminal background checks are required prior to the second semester of coursework.

Courses requiring a grade of “C” or better: EDU

Courses in this program

Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces the foundations of early childhood education, the diverse educational settings for young children, professionalism and planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences for each child. Topics include theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family.

View course details for Intro to Early Childhood Education ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course covers the development of partnerships among culturally, linguistically and ability diverse families, children, schools, and communities through the use of evidence-based strategies. Emphasis is placed on developing skills and identifying benefits for establishing and supporting respectful relationships between diverse families, programs/schools, and community agencies/resources reflective of the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and the Code of Ethics for North Carolina Educators.

View course details for Child, Family, and Community ‌‌

This course covers promoting and maintaining the health and well-being of every child. Topics include health and nutritional guidelines, common childhood illnesses, maintaining safe and healthy learning environments, health benefits of active play, recognition, and reporting of abuse/neglect, and state regulations. Upon completion, students should be able to apply knowledge of NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development for health, safety, nutritional needs, and safe learning environments.

View course details for Health, Safety, & Nutrition ‌‌
Course Code Course Credit Hours Link to course details

This course introduces principles and practices essential to preparing and supporting child care administrators. Topics include program philosophy, policies and procedures, NC Child Care Law and Rules, business planning, personnel, and fiscal management, and NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct Supplement for Early Childhood Program Administration. Upon completion, students should be able to articulate a developmentally appropriate program philosophy, locate current state licensing regulations, analyze a business plan and examine comprehensive program policies and procedures.

View course details for Early Childhood Admin I ‌‌

This course focuses on advocacy/leadership, public relations/community outreach and program quality/evaluation for diverse early childhood programs. Topics include program evaluation/accreditation, involvement in early childhood professional organizations, leadership/mentoring, family, volunteer and community involvement, and early childhood advocacy. Upon completion, students should be able to define and evaluate all components of early childhood programs, develop strategies for advocacy and integrate community into programs.

View course details for Early Childhood Admin II ‌‌
Total Credit Hours Required:
16

Curriculum is based on the 2025-2026 catalog.

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