Early Childhood Education
Program Length
2-4 Years
64 Credit Hours
Degrees Offered
Associate of Applied Science
Learning Experiences
Hybrid
Associate of Applied Sciences, Early Childhood Education
Our Associate of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree curriculum* with an Early Childhood Education concentration can help put you on one of three (3) pathways to earning credentials for a career in early childhood education through the Gateways to Opportunity program. Gateways to Opportunity credentials are recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services Bureau of Child Care and Development. These Credentials are required for varied Circles of Quality in ExceleRate Illinois and can be used as a prerequisite for employment within early learning programs. If you are interested in the Circles of Quality, follow this checklist as a working document. With the help of your Associates in Early Childhood Education, you can be quickly on the pathway toward a career in early childhood education. St. Augustine College is proud to be an entitled institution through Gateways to Opportunity for the ECE Credential, Infant/Toddler Credential, Family Child Care Credential at Levels 2-4, and Director Credential at Level 1. We have aligned our early childhood education courses and curriculum with specific credential benchmarks to ensure that when you graduate with this Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education degree, you will go into the job market with a credential that is recognized by the state of Illinois. Earning your Gateways Credential, along with getting an ECE degree is a great way to build up an impressive resume. Gateway Credentials demonstrate to employers that you have the technical knowledge, interpersonal skills, and real-world experience that they are looking for in a qualified teacher. Starting your Gateways Credential application just takes three easy steps: creating an account, creating an application, and requesting all official transcripts to be sent to their email (or physical address). Whether you are a traditional or nontraditional student interested in earning a Gateways Credential along with your Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education degree or are planning to transfer to a four-year program in this important field, our Department of Early Childhood Education programs have the courses and opportunities to meet your education and career needs.
Three Pathways to Success
Direct Exit Pathway: If you are getting an ECE degree while working full time in the field and/or are pursuing Gateways Credentials to secure employment or progress within a current role, this pathway is designed with flexibility and convenience for adult learners, giving you the flexibility to complete early childhood education courses at your own pace. You can pursue a Level 2 Credential, for example, and then later decide that you would like to attain your Level 3 Credential. Credential Continuing Pathway: If you are seeking employment and/or getting an ECE degree while working full-time in the field and plan on progressing through each of the credentials to attain your Associate of Applied Sciences in Early Childhood Education, this might be the best pathway for you. Courses are laid out in a convenient four-semester sequence, with milestones of credential attainment marked along the way. Credential Transfer Pathway: If you already know you want to transfer to a four-year university for a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education, this pathway helps you earn both the Level 3 Gateways Credential** and the AAS degree in ECE—maximizing the number of courses that will directly transfer to a partnering four-year institution. To earn your Level 2-4 ECE Gateways Credential, you are required to follow a prescribed course of study in early childhood education. This pathway is the best choice if you hope to someday qualify for an Illinois Professional Educator License (PEL), which can only be obtained after earning a Bachelor’s Degree from an Illinois-approved education preparation program. **Please be sure to contact an Academic Advisor for further information about this credential and required courses.
Choose Your Opportunity
Our acclaimed Associates of Applied Sciences (AAS) degree program in Early Childhood Education offers a diverse range of pathways that can open doors to exciting career opportunities in this field. Your studies will give you a solid foundation in the early childhood education theories and practices you need to work as a teacher or teacher’s assistant in a private or federally-funded preschool program, child-care center, home-based program, family child-care home, or nursery school. The program may also qualify you to work as a teacher’s assistant, teacher’s aide, or activities supervisor in a public school. With our state and nation currently facing a critical need for well-prepared early childhood practitioners, you will be able to choose a career path in this field that’s right for you.
Career Opportunities with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
Earning an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (AAS) opens the door to a variety of meaningful careers in Illinois. With this degree, graduates of the AAS program at St. Augustine are prepared to work directly with young children, support licensed teachers, and create nurturing environments that foster learning and growth. Below are some of the career paths available to those with an associate’s degree in early childhood education.
Preschool Teacher
Preschool teachers work with children ages 3-5, introducing them to foundational skills in literacy, math, and social development. With an ECE associate’s degree, graduates can qualify for teaching positions in private preschools, childcare centers, and community-based early learning programs. In Illinois, preschool teachers are in demand as early education becomes a higher priority for families and school districts.
Teacher’s Assistant/Paraprofessional
Teacher’s assistants, also known as paraprofessionals, provide vital classroom support in early childhood and elementary settings. With an associate in early childhood education, graduates help lead small groups, prepare classroom materials, and provide one-on-one guidance to children. This role is especially common in Illinois public schools, where paraprofessionals support licensed teachers in delivering effective instruction.
Childcare Center Director (with experience)
While some director positions require a bachelor’s degree, many Illinois childcare centers hire those with an AAS in early childhood education who also bring hands-on experience. Directors oversee daily operations, manage staff, and ensure compliance with state standards. For graduates seeking leadership roles, this path offers the chance to shape a program’s vision and quality of care.
Home Childcare Provider
An associate’s degree in early childhood education also prepares graduates to open or work in licensed home-based childcare settings. Providers design safe, engaging daily routines and offer individualized attention to small groups of children. In Illinois, licensed home childcare providers are essential in communities where parents need flexible and affordable childcare options.
Head Start or Early Head Start Teacher
Head Start programs serve low-income families and focus on school readiness for young children. Many Illinois Head Start agencies hire teachers with an associate’s degree who are committed to fostering growth in both academic and social skills. Graduates may work with infants, toddlers, or preschool-aged children, making this a rewarding career for those passionate about community impact.
A Pathway to a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education
For many students, earning an Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Education (AAS) is the first step toward a rewarding career. But it can also serve as a direct pathway to a bachelor’s degree. If you didn’t originally plan to pursue a four-year degree, the ECE associate’s degree provides a strong foundation that makes transferring easier, faster, and more affordable.
With an AAS from St. Augustine College, graduates can:
- Transfer credits seamlessly into a bachelor’s program in education or a related field, reducing the time and cost required to complete a four-year degree.
- Strengthen career options before stepping into a bachelor’s degree program and state licensure to teach in kindergarten and elementary settings.
- Keep future doors open, whether pursuing specialized fields like bilingual education, special education, or educational leadership.
Even if you’re entering college intending to stop at an associate’s degree, this program allows you to build confidence, gain professional skills, and prepare for further study if you decide to advance. Many graduates begin working right away with their early childhood education AAS degree, then return later to complete a bachelor’s while already employed in the field.
Empowered to Succeed
As a graduate of the AAS in Early Childhood Education degree program*, you will be prepared to:
- Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles of early childhood development.
- Understand that successful early childhood education depends upon partnerships with children’s families and communities.
- Learn to observe, document, and assess young children and families.
- Understand, and use developmentally appropriate approaches, instructional strategies, and tools.
- Be prepared for an entry-level professional early child-care teacher or provider.
*The general education core for this degree complies with guidelines of the Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI).
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Where You Can Teach with an Early Childhood Education Degree
Graduates of the A.A.S. ECE concentration program are equipped to work as teachers or teacher's assistants in various settings, including private or federally-funded preschools, child-care centers, home-based programs, family child-care homes, or nursery schools. The program's comprehensive curriculum emphasizes the development of fundamental principles of early childhood development, the importance of partnerships with families and communities, and the implementation of developmentally appropriate teaching strategies. With the increasing demand for qualified early childhood educators, this degree provides a solid foundation for a stable and rewarding career in the field.
Preschool
Development starts at birth, and preschool is a child’s first step in formal education. During this learning period, children learn about “pre-skills” through learning, playing, singing, and more. This helps to create a base on which children can learn lessons when they move on to kindergarten and elementary school. Another big aspect of preschool is socializing, a crucial component we go over in our early childhood education courses. Beyond their immediate family, for many students preschool is the first time they get to interact with other children. This is when they learn valuable lessons about sharing, being kind to one another, and conflict resolution.
Montessori
Built on principles of self-reliance and inherent curiosity that every child possesses, Montessori Schools offer an alternative to traditional education. Due to the focus on “child-centric learning,” the range of children in a classroom can vary. An eight-year-old might learn alongside a four-year-old, and so on. An ECE degree in early childhood education allows you to have unique skills Montessori schools are looking for in early childhood educators. With each classroom having multiple “interactive zones”, each dedicated to a particular academic area, you and your students learn together. You work alongside the students.
Kindergarten
Considered the start of formal education, kindergarten is the stepping stone into the elementary school system. Usually, kids are five to six years old, and most of the lessons focus on peer-to-peer learning. During peer-to-peer learning children are taught important social skills that will be crucial for their entire lives. They also start to learn more complex aspects of math like adding and subtracting. They begin to string sentences together, along with spelling. Kindergarten is a crucial step in early childhood education. A kindergarten teacher introduces more complex lessons to their students and prepares them for elementary school.
