Early Childhood Education
Make a positive impact on the lives of young learners and their families. With our early childhood education programs, you'll be able to help shape the next generation.
Now more than ever, Colorado needs qualified early childhood educators. Choose from a variety of program options and let our helpful instructors guide you as you begin a rewarding career.
Why Study Early Childhood Education at Front Range Community College?
Beginning in 2023-2024 school year, Colorado will launch a universal preschool program. Colorado needs more qualified teachers, assistants and directors. Our programs will prepare you for these important careers.
Get Credentialed and Certified
FRCC is a leader in training early childhood educators. Our talented faculty will teach you how to leave a positive impact on kids as they learn and grow. You'll also learn by observing and teaching in working classrooms and other early childhood settings.
Our certificates and degrees will help you meet early childhood education job standards. All of our programs meet or exceed state education credential requirements.
Career Advance Colorado
Thanks to the Career Advance Colorado grant program, you can have your tuition, fees and course materials covered while funding is available. Funding is only anticipated to be available through the Fall 2024 term.
To take advantage of the grant funding, just apply for financial aid, be declared in this program and take courses toward program completion. Whatever isn’t covered by financial aid will be covered by Career Advance. Learn more about the program.
¡Nuevo! Dos Clases Ofrecidas en Español
¡Ahora los cursos de Introducción a la Educación infantil temprana (ECE 1011) y
Estrategias de orientación para niños pequeños (ECE 1031) se ofrecen en línea y
en español! Completa tu certificación como asistente de maestro con el Colegio
Comunitario Front Range en solo un semestre. Pregunta sobre las opciones de
asistencia financiera. Contacte a su asesor bilingüe.
Our Program Options
At FRCC, we offer two degrees and four certificates. The Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) in early childhood education is a two-year degree program, after which you can begin your career. Our Associate of Arts (AA) in early childhood education allows you to transfer to complete your bachelor's degree at a four-year college or university.
We also offer certificate programs that can be completed in one year or less. With the proper certificate, you can become:
- Early childhood director
- Early childhood teacher
- Early childhood paraeducator
- Early childhood assistant teacher
Learn more about transferring:
- Colorado Department of Higher Education
- Official Statewide Transfer Agreement for Early Childhood Education (PDF)
Degree Options
AA in Early Childhood Education
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 60 credits (4 semesters)
Complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree with our AA in early childhood education. You'll be able to transfer to a four-year institution to complete your BA or BS and earn your CDE License.
In your courses, you'll study:
- Early childhood education techniques and strategies
- Early childhood guidance techniques
- Child growth and development
- Working with families and communities
As part of this degree, you will earn two FRCC certificates: early childhood teacher and early childhood assistant teacher.
View Program Details
AAS in Early Childhood Education
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 60 credits (4 semesters)
With an AAS in early childhood education, you'll gain the skills for a career in the care and education of young children. You'll take courses in education theory and participate in internships.
You'll learn about:
- Early childhood education
- Early childhood guidance techniques
- Child growth and development
- Early intervention
- High-risk, gifted and developmentally delayed children
As part of this degree, you will earn three FRCC certificates:
- Early childhood teacher
- Early childhood assistant teacher
- Early childhood director
The AAS program meets or exceeds all Colorado Department of Early Childhood education requirements for credentialing. You may need additional experience hours for certain jobs.
View Program DetailsCertificate Options
Early Childhood Director
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 30 credits (2 semesters)
Learn the skills you need to meet state education requirements to become a director of a child care center. You'll learn about:
- Foundational early childhood education knowledge
- Director skills
- Administrative skills
- Ethical decision making
- Risk management
- Human relations
You may need to acquire additional experience hours in early childhood education settings to meet state requirements. As part of this program, you will also earn the early childhood assistant teacher certificate.
View Program Details
Early Childhood Teacher
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 18 credits (1 semester)
Begin your journey to become an early childhood teacher in Colorado. You'll learn to work with children from 0 to 8 years old. You'll study:
- Foundational knowledge and skills for teaching
- Developmentally appropriate practice
- Early childhood curriculum and assessment
- Professional ethics and equity
You may need to acquire additional experience hours in early childhood education settings to meet state requirements. As part of this program, you will also earn the early childhood assistant teacher certificate.
View Program Details
Early Childhood Education for Paraeducators
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 20 credits (2 semesters)
Work as a preschool paraeducator, or “para,” and support teachers in their classrooms. You'll help create an inclusive atmosphere for students where all can grow and thrive. You'll learn about:
- Early childhood education techniques and strategies
- Family dynamics
- Curriculum development
- Patterns of growth and development in children
- Various disabilities and giftedness
- Developmentally appropriate teaching techniques
As part of this program, you will also earn the early childhood assistant teacher certificate.
View Program Details
Early Childhood Assistant Teacher
Program Locations: Online
Total Credits: 6 credits (1 semester)
Get a solid foundation in the world of early childhood education. You'll learn about:
- Developing and implementing appropriate nurturing and developmental experiences
- Working closely with families
You'll be able to enter the workforce as an early childhood assistant teacher. You may need to acquire additional experience hours in early childhood education settings to meet state requirements.
View Program DetailsGet Credit for What You Already Know
Do you have years of professional experience working in the field of early childhood education? Have you completed Pyramid Plus or EQIT training modules? You may qualify for Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). You can earn college credits for work you have already completed by submitting a portfolio and passing a challenge exam and it's free. Get more information.
Transfer Options
Want to earn a bachelor's degree in early childhood education? FRCC will support you in your journey.
Your Early Childhood Education degree will transfer to the following four-year schools.
- Adams State University (BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with Elem. Ed. Licensure)
- Colorado State University (BS in Early Childhood Education)
- Fort Lewis College (BA in Early Childhood Education)
- Metropolitan State University of Denver (BA in Early Childhood Education)
- University of Colorado Denver (BA in Education and Human Development – Early Childhood)
- University of Northern Colorado (BA in Early Childhood Teacher Education)
Be sure to talk with an advisor when selecting your courses to ensure you will complete your degree on time with the classes you need. If you wish to transfer to a school not on this list, be sure to contact that institution about transfer credits accepted or talk with your advisor.
Careers & Outcomes
Your degree or certificate program can open doors for a career in a variety of education and childcare fields. Although some careers may require bachelor's and graduate degrees, you'll get a strong foundation with a degree from FRCC.
ECE Student Hub
Once you have enrolled in an early childhood education (ECE) course, you will have access to the ECE Student Hub at FRCC in your MyCourses site! This is a valuable resource to you as an ECE professional. The Hub contains information on degree and certificate pathways, scholarship opportunities, upcoming community events, professional development, internship and practicum placement and career and job opportunities. Learn how to log into MyCourses.
Professional Licensure Disclosure
Students enrolling or continuing at Front Range Community College (FRCC) have a right to certain information that the college is required by law to provide. As a student applying for or attending the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program you have the right to know it meets the educational portion of the credentialing criteria for Colorado. It is possible that the degree/certificate may count toward licensing or certification in states other than Colorado. If you are planning to seek work outside of Colorado, it is strongly recommended that you contact that State’s certifying or licensing entity for guidance before you begin this program. State-by-state information is available at the National Database of Childcare Licensing Regulations website.
This program meets the applicable state educational requirements for credentialing in Colorado as listed below:
- Colorado Office of Early Childhood Qualifications for Colorado are outlined below. FRCC falls under qualification pathway rule 2.214.C.4: on the Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Pathway | 303-866-5948
The Early Childhood Education program does not prepare you to teach in Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming and U.S. Territories: American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Scholarships for Early Childhood Education
Get free money for your classes. The FRCC Foundation provides scholarships for students working towards degrees or certificates in early childhood education.