Early Childhood Education courses are concerned with the growth and development of the young child including physical, cognitive, emotional and social areas of development. The ECE program emphasizes a developmentally appropriate curriculum and positive guidance techniques for teachers and parents. The ECE degree programs prepare individuals to work with young children (birth through age eight) as employees in child care centers, day care homes, cooperative and private nursery schools or preschools, Head Start centers, Early Childhood Education Assistance Programs, and in programs for children with special needs. The curriculum may also be applicable as an endorsement in Early Childhood Education to students seeking a Bachelor of Arts in Education degree in elementary school education (kindergarten-third grade). Other related fields with four-year transfer potential are special education, child studies, social work, parent education, child and family counseling, child psychology, and human development.