Our mission is to foster higher learning, student success, and service to our communities.

Through our commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, the Arts and Sciences Division ensures that students have the academic skills and knowledge to succeed in their education and careers. Our students will become lifelong learners who respect diverse cultures, have a global perspective, and think critically and creatively.

"Our mission is to provide a high quality learning atmosphere where students are actively involved in each class setting. The Early Childhood Education faculty is dedicated to facilitating a learning environment that respects the diversity of students, teaching to the learning style of individual students, and assisting students to develop the knowledge and skills required of an Early Childhood professional."

This mission serves as the foundation of the Early Childhood Department at Pueblo Community College. The ECE faculty and instructors share, articulate and support the mission throughout the curriculum in classroom instruction and their interactions with students. As faculty and instructors demonstrate their own passion for and commitment to the profession, they encourage students to continually improve their own professional skills and knowledge, and in turn, to improve the lives of the children and families.

The NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct is integrated into the ECE curriculum and the Core Values have become an essential part of who we are as a department.

* Appreciate childhood as a unique and valuable stage of the human life cycle
* Base our work on knowledge of how children develop and learn
* Appreciate and support the bond between the child and family
* Recognize that children are best understood and supported in the context of
   family, culture, 1community, and society
* Respect the dignity, worth, and uniqueness of each individual (child, family
   member and colleague)
* Respect diversity in children, families, and colleagues
* Recognize that children and adults achieve their full potential in the context of
   relationships that are based on trust and respect

The department embraces each Core Value as it relates to children, families, and community. Even more, the core values describe how faculty and instructors expect students to relate to and treat one other. Over time, students learn not just to appreciate and apply these values to better serve young children and their families. They also understand the impact of these values on their professional identities and conduct, especially as advocates for children and families within the community. 

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Lab experiences (field placements) offer students the opportunity not only to implement their new knowledge, but also to follow the NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Core Values as they interact with their mentor teacher, the children, families, administration, owners and community stakeholders.

The certificates and degrees offered at PCC permit students to scaffold their education to meet their personal goals or state/employer requirements related to their position. Moreover, the small class sizes in the program provide a setting that allows students to gain trust and confidence in their teachers, fellow students and themselves.

The faculty and instructors design and deliver each course to reflect best practices in the field. Our intent is that all courses
     *Provide an active-learning environment that supports all learning styles and
       engages students in collaboration,
     *Stress the importance of communication skills (written and verbal), and
     *Recognize, honor and respect the diverse backgrounds and abilities of the
       adult learner.

These standards and expectations for each course are high, but attainable. They support the ultimate goal of ensuring that our graduates have the skills and abilities to make informed decisions, use critical thinking, embrace the concept of lifelong learning and confidently apply their knowledge of young children and their families.

All students entering the Early Childhood Education Program must submit an enrollment application to the Admission’s office. The student is required to take the state mandated assessment tests in the areas of reading, writing, and math unless the student has transcripts from another college facility. A student must provide an official transcript of previous college courses in specific areas with a grade of C or better to bypass taking the assessment test.

Students entering this program should show an interest in the care and well being of young children. Students also need to be free from evidence of illness and conduct that would endanger the health, safety and well-being of children as stated in the Colorado Department of Human Services Rules and Regulation of childcare centers, Section 7.702.51.

The very nature of higher education requires that students adhere to accepted standards of academic integrity. Therefore, Pueblo Community College and The PCC Early Childhood Program have adopted a policy of expected academic conduct. Violation of academic integrity may be defined to include the following: cheating, plagiarism, falsification and fabrication of lab hour documentation, abuse of academic materials, involvement in academic dishonesty, and personal misrepresentation. It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of the behaviors that constitute academic dishonesty. Sanctions for violating the standards of academic integrity may include warning, probation, suspension, dismissal, and/or failure of the course or assignment at the discretion of the instructor.

The Early Childhood Education/Profession faculty and administration are committed to the common goal of fulfilling the PCC and ECE mission. One of our central focuses is to improve teaching and student learning. To accomplish this goal, the faculty and instructors will integrate the NAEYC Standards and Supportive Skills so that students have a better understanding of applying their new knowledge and skills into practice. This can be achieved through a process called assessments*.

*Assessments are evaluations completed by the students and the teachers in the form of tests, presentations, questionnaires or self-evaluations. NAEYC Standards and Supportive Skills are now integrated into assignments, projects and presentations.

Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in all courses in order to progress through the ECE program. If a grade of "C" or better is not achieved, then the course must be repeated to attain a grade "C" or higher.

Students must turn in all assignments by due dates posted by the instructor. Failure to turn assignments in by due dates will result in a zero unless prior arrangements have been made with the instructor.

A= 90-100%

B= 80-89%

C= 70-79%

D= 60-69%

F= Below 60%

Classroom lectures, discussions and activities are regular occurrences therefore, regular and punctual attendance is imperative! Instructors will inform students of attendance policies and will take attendance each class period. It is the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor when an absence occurs. The instructor will advise the student as soon as it becomes apparent that the student has difficulty meeting the course objective. This applies to lectures, class participation, discussions, tests, lab hours and any other classroom activities or assignments. If a student is tardy, then enter quietly and wait until break or after class to ask the instructor about missed assignments. Three documented tardies equal one absence.

Students can apply for full credit of an ECE course through his/her portfolio or by challenging a class by completing a test with a B/80% or better. Prior to challenging a class by portfolio or by test, the student must meet with the ECE department chairperson for approval. The student must also be currently enrolled in another PCC 1 credit course in order to challenge a class.

If a student wishes to withdraw from a course, the student should contact his/her instructor and then officially withdraw from the course. The student is encouraged to check with Financial Aid prior to withdrawing from any course(s). Instructors will not administratively withdraw a student unless the student contacts the instructor and formally requests this action. However, the instructor may withdraw the student it the student misses three or more classes prior to the drop class date. Please refer to the PCC Student Handbook for more information.

Students requesting an incomplete grade must contact their instructor prior to the end of the course. A minimum of 80% of the course must be completed prior to consideration. Each request will be considered individually. Students will not be allowed to continue into a following course until the incomplete is completed. The decision to administer an incomplete will be up to the instructor or the department chairperson.

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All students enrolled in PCC Early Childhood Program will comply with all policies and procedures of the Early Childhood Student Handbook, the College Catalog and the PCC Student Handbook. The Student Standards of Conduct are in force at any location, college/club activity and includes all PCC campuses and lab site locations.

Early Childhood students are in pre-professional training and appearance is governed by standards, which may be different from the rest of the campus. At all times, students will be expected to be well groomed, clean, and neat. There may be specific dress codes for lab sites (child care center, preschools, family child care). Please discuss dress policies with the center director or owner of the facility. Personal hygiene must be excellent and personal habits concerning nutrition, rest, exercise, and overall health should reflect genuine belief in preventive maintenance for health.

Background checks will be conducted through American DataBank at the student’s expense. Lab students currently employed in a child care center will not be requested to comply with this requirement; however they must provide a copy of the clearance letter to the instructor.

Background checks are valid and accepted for 3 years from the date of clearance if the student is continuously enrolled at PCC in a CCCS approved program. The Department Chair or Dean has the discretion to request additional background checks at anytime and the student will be responsible for the associated costs. The requested background check must be completed on line within 24 hours. Additional background checks may be required by clinical sites. Students must adhere to all additional requests and are responsible for any and all additional expenses. Refusal to adhere to the additional background request(s) will result in dismissal from the Early Childhood program.

In the event that a student’s background check is returned with issues that prevent a person from working with children or be hired at an educational facility including centers, preschool, family child care programs; the department chair will work with the student to find another course to take that semester, or research a different career path. 

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Smoking/Smokeless tobacco is prohibited on the PCC campus except for in designated areas only. Those areas are posted around campus.

Pueblo Community College is an equal opportunity educational institution and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, national origin, sex, or disability in its activities, programs, or employment practices as required by Title VI, Title IX, Section 504, Age Discrimination Act, and Title II of the ADA. The College has designated the Director of Human Resources as its Affirmative Action Officer with the responsibility to coordinate its civil rights compliance activities and grievance procedures. For information, contact the Director of Human Resources, 900 West Orman Avenue, Pueblo CO 81004, telephone and TDD (719) 549-3220; or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Region VIII, Federal Office Building, 1244 North Speer Boulevard, Suite 310, Denver, Colorado 80204, telephone (303) 844-2981, TDD (303) 844-3417.

Early Childhood Education faculty and staff are expected to provide fair and equal treatment to all students and also show respect and concern for all students regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, disability, sexual preference, or other protected class status.

During your academic experience at PCC, you may be faced with a problem or concern. If you are faced with any problems the steps to follow are:
     1. Gather all facts related to the situation and carefully analyze this material.
     2. Identify approaches that might resolve the problem.
     3. Schedule an appointment with the instructor for discussion and possible
         resolution of the issue.

If the problem cannot be solved with the instructor:
     1. Make an appointment with the ECE department chair for the purpose of discussion and correction of the problem.

If satisfaction is still not achieved:
     1. Follow the grievance procedure as outlined in the PCC Student Handbook or
         PCC college catalog and contact the Dean of Arts and Sciences.

"Students who have a documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for this class. Please contact the Disability Resources Center at 549-3446 for further information."

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Students must sign a field trip approval form prior to any field trip. Students are responsible for their own transportation unless prior arrangements have been made. Incidental expenses to the field trip are the responsibility of each student.

In the event of severe weather conditions or other emergencies official announcements regarding cancellation of classes will be sent via PCC Alert, posted on exterior doors of classrooms, exterior building doors, and on local news television stations.

In order to apply for graduation from the ECE program, you must complete all program requirements and have a grade point average of a C (2.0) or better in the courses taken at PCC that are applicable to the degree. Attending graduation is encouraged and is a celebration of your accomplishment!

Prior to completing all required courses, you must complete all of the following:
     1. Make an appointment to complete the graduation paperwork:
         Rosemary Breckenfelder, ECE Department Chair: 719-549-3204 or
         Melinda Milkowski: ECE Faculty: 719-549-3138
         Fremont: Contact an advisor at 719-275-6100.
         Durango: 970-247-2929 Mancos: 970-564-6200.
     2. Complete a curriculum planning sheet AA, AAS, Director Academic 
         certificate or Early Childhood Teacher Academic Certificate (formerly Group
         Leader), along with a graduation application.
     3. Graduation forms will be submitted to the Dean of Arts and Sciences for
         approval by the ECE department chair.
     4. You will receive a letter from Admissions and Records with information
         about the graduation process and how to order cap and gown from the PCC
         bookstore. 

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Rationale: Early childhood professional preparation focuses on outcomes or results for students and ultimately for children. Evidence of student outcomes is a stronger indicator of program quality than the details of how courses and field experiences are organized. Documented evidence of student competence is essential for programs to know how to meet student needs and plan for the future.

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Rationale: NAEYC has identified five skills that support associate degree students’ ability to gain competence in relation to the core standards. With these skills, students are better able to make use of learning opportunities provided by the program and progress in a career as an early childhood professional.

Please detach and hand in to the ECE Instructor

I, __________________________________,  have completely read and understand the Early Childhood Education Student Handbook. I will comply with all the rules and regulations as stated in this handbook.

__________________________________     _________________________
Student’s Signature Date                                  Date

To print out the form click Here!