Early Childhood Development
- Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.)
Program Snapshot
Your Learning Options
In-person, Hybrid, Online
65 Credit Hours
Estimated Time to Complete
2 years (5 full-time semesters)
In-State Tuition Per Credit Hour
$176.00 | Calculate your costs
Why Early Childhood Development?
Unlock your potential learning the essential skills and theoretical knowledge needed for a fulfilling career in childcare.
- Fast-track your journey with our accelerated program. Earn stackable credentials that seamlessly lead to an A.A.S. degree.
- Dive into real-world scenarios with an emphasis on applied learning, through hands-on application of skills, theories, and models.
- Secure your path to success with a transfer agreement that allows you to earn Pre-K to 3rd-grade licensure.
Paying for College
We are committed to using all of the available funds to help you gain access to a college education. In fact, more than 91% of our students graduate without any educational debt. In 2023, Reynolds Community College students received over $21 million dollars in grants, loans, work-study and scholarships with the average aid awarded totaling over $4,000 per student.
Payment plans are offered to break down tuition payments. Textbook Assistance and Laptop Lending Programs are also available. Be sure to explore all the types of financial aid available as well!
Get a Skill. Get a Job. Get Ahead.
G3 financial assistance at Reynolds can help cover tuition for select programs like this one! Starting something new or changing a career path can be scary, but if you want to earn workplace certifications or an academic degree that leads to a career, G3 tuition assistance can help remove the financial barrier of going to college.
The Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program awards funds for tuition (and technology fees, if applicable) for undergraduate courses that focus on the care and education of children, birth through 12 years of age.
Project Pathfinders, funded by the state of Virginia and administered by Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, enhances early childhood professionals' skills in preschool and child care through community college coursework.
Why Reynolds?
We are more than a community college.
Reynolds is the key that unlocks the door to your academic and professional success. Here you will find a safe place to start. We will help you explore, dream, succeed, try, and try again. Our amazing faculty and highly personalized advisors, your Reynolds Navigators, are well known for guiding you to discover that "aha moment.” That means an outstanding college experience, less debt, more freedom, and a solid start on your future.
Capitalize on the national shortage of early childhood education teachers and caregivers. Your expertise will be in high demand, opening up diverse employment opportunities.
Enhance your credentials and open doors to a rewarding teaching career. Our coursework is designed to lead to a Virginia Pre-K to 3rd-grade Teaching License after transferring to a four-year school.
Gain a solid foundation in the care, supervision, education, and development of children aged birth to twelve. Our program equips you with both practical skills and theoretical insights, ensuring a well-rounded education.
The only secret is to keep going… If you fall 100 times then you get up 101 times.
Keya Wingfield
Class Highlights
CHD 120 - Introduction to Early Childhood Education
Study early childhood development through activities and experiences in early childhood, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, and primary programs.
CHD 145 - Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children
Learn about children’s exploration, play, and creative expression in the areas of art, music, and movement.
CHD 165 - Observation and Participation in Early Childhood/Primary Settings
Analyze observation as the primary method for gathering information about children in early childhood settings.
Program Roadmap
Get all the details on our Early Childhood Development program, including class sequences, admission requirements, financial considerations, and more.
Additional Program Information
PURPOSE: The two-year degree program in Early Childhood Development is designed to prepare students with skills and theoretical knowledge related to the care, supervision, education, and development of young children from birth to age twelve. Upon successful completion of the curriculum, students will be prepared to seek employment in a variety of positions in the childcare field.
OCCUPATIONAL OBJECTIVES: Employment opportunities include preparation or upgrading of skills for positions as childcare center directors, assistant directors, before- and after-school teachers or assistant teachers, aides, playroom attendants, home-based providers or day care workers, camp directors, and before- and after-school teachers in the following types of facilities: child day care centers, nursery schools, family daycare homes, Head Start programs, recreational before- and after-school programs, hospital-based childcare programs, pre-school at-risk programs, and pre-kindergarten church-sponsored programs.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission.
PROGRAM NOTES: General college curricular admission, including direct enrollment English and Math placement. Students who do not meet required placement levels must enroll in developmental studies courses. It is recommended that students arrange for a personal interview and advising appointment with the program head.
The purpose of the associate of applied science (AAS) degree curriculum is to prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. Four-year college and university transfer opportunities for associate of applied science degrees, if existing, are usually very specific in nature. Students may, however, substitute some courses in the AAS degree curriculum with courses that generally transfer to senior institutions. Students should consult their advisor at the earliest possible date for further guidance and are advised to get assurances in writing in advance from the institution to which they wish to transfer.
CURRICULUM SEQUENCE: It is recommended that students take courses in the sequence listed in the catalog. Students must attain a grade of “C” or higher in all courses with CHD, EDU, and PSY prefixes. An observation and participation in an approved early childhood/primary setting are required. This is practicum experience internship in a licensed or approved childcare setting. It is a planned learning experience for the purpose of pulling together theories and practices learned in the classroom. A Criminal Record Clearance/Sex Offender Registry check is required for placement and volunteering. Students should see the program head for a list of convictions that will prevent employment. Students will be expected to complete a tuberculosis test before placement.
COMPUTER COMPETENCY REQUIREMENT: Students in this program will meet the college’s computer competency requirement by successfully completing ITE 152, or EDU 280 (Introduction to Instructional Technologies). Students can also meet this requirement by passing the college’s computer competency exam, administered in the testing centers on each campus, in which case they will receive college credit for ITE 152. Students not passing the computer competency exam may retake the exam only once.
