The Early Childhood Education AAS prepares students to develop competencies necessary to plan, implement, and evaluate a quality program for children, following National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards. This program prepares students to seek new employment or update professional skills and knowledge as a family care provider; program supervisor of a child care center; child care manager; and lead and support teacher in early childhood programs. Theoretical knowledge is gained through traditional, hybrid, and online classroom lectures; practical experience takes place in college labs and in family and center-based programs where students may be employed.