The Early Childhood Education Program focuses on broad, transferable skills and stresses understanding and demonstration of the following elements of the Early Childhood industry:  planning, management, finance, technical and production skills; underlying principles of technology; labor, community, health, safety, and environmental issues; and developmentally appropriate practices for children birth through age eight. Observation and supervised work experience with young children in a school laboratory or a community laboratory setting are an integral part of this program.  To meet ECPC status, a student must obtain the 480 hours of direct work with children five years or younger in a laboratory or child care setting while they are enrolled in the program.
The program consists of 600 hours (120 hours of classroom instruction and 480 hours of direct work with children) with four occupational completion points which results in the issuance of a Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC). (The ECPC replaced the CDAE in April 2007). Instructors must send the ECPC Record of Issuance form to DOE (form on webpage); DOE will submit student names to DCF and students will receive their Staff Credential from DCF at the address they have listed on the Record of Issuance form.

This program consists of the following:

Secondary Course .......number— 8503210

8503211          Early Childhood Education 1          1 credit
8503212          Early Childhood Education 2          1 credit
8503213          Early Childhood Education 3          1 credit
8503214          Early Childhood Education 4          1 credit
TOTAL 4 C R E D ITS T O T A L 4 C R E D I TOTAL 4 CREDITS

Post Secondary     Course number—V200210

OCP A            Child Care Worker – SOC 39-9011                45 hours
OCP B            Child Care Teacher Aide – SOC 25-2011      105 hours
OCP C            Preschool Teacher – SOC 25-2011              300 hours
OCP D            Child Care Development Specialist               150 hours
SOC 25-2011                                             TOTAL           600 hours

The Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) is one of the acceptable minimum credentials for employment as a Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten instructor.  Additional requirements and information can be found at http://www.fldoe.org/earlylearning

For Day Care Licensing information please visit www.myflorida.com/childcare

ECE Policies and Procedures Cover page

ECE Policies and Procedures