According to the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRR A), "Children in high quality child care programs perform better in math, language, and reading and show fewer behavioral problems." Furthermore, according to NACCRRA, the
education level of the child care provider is the best indicator for child care quality. "Children in early care and education are better prepared for school when their teachers have higher levels of education and specialized training."
In fact, the Center for the Child Care Workforce has shown that the strongest indicator of the child care provider's ability to "engage children in developmentally appropriate activities" is the amount of formal education they've obtained. Due to the continued push for preschool and other early childhood education programs, the job outlook for early childhood education teachers is projected at a 19 percent growth from 2008 to 2018 (Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Grand Canyon University offers early childhood education degrees online as well as at our Phoenix campus. We offer a bachelor's degree in early childhood education as well as a master's degree in early childhood education.
The Master of Education in Early Childhood Education is a program for students seeking knowledge and expertise in the field of early childhood development and teaching. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards form the foundation of this program. The curriculum includes instructional strategies, teaching methodologies, assessment techniques, theories of early childhood growth and development, and the impact of family and cultural diversity on early childhood. With a focus on children from birth through third grade, this program has embedded practicum experiences throughout the coursework, requires a student teaching component, and will lead to a teaching credential in Arizona.
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education
Master of Education in Early Childhood Education
