Length: 62 credits
Purpose: This program is designed to prepare early childhood professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to successfully manage a classroom and teach students from diverse backgrounds with varied academic and developmental needs. Graduates will be prepared to work with students in a variety of educational environments including childcare centers, family day homes, Head Start, and public or private schools. Students will learn to use an array of teaching methods, approaches to classroom management, and methods for teaching exceptional students. Students completing this program can transfer to select schools that currently have an active articulation agreement with P&HCC. See the program advisor for a list of schools where graduates of the program can earn a bachelor’s degree and pre-k through third grade teaching license.
Program Learning Outcomes: A student will be able to:
- demonstrate minimum proficiency in General Education Skills which are defined as oral communication, written communication, mathematical/problem solving, scientific reasoning, information literacy and critical thinking
- build meaningful curriculum in Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies
- create strategies to build relationships with families and the community
- observe and document a student’s developmental and academic levels
- identify ethical and professional guidelines when working in the early childhood field; and
- design, teach, and reflect on lesson plans that match Virginia standards and the developmental needs of the child
The Early Childhood Department has made a commitment to the NAEYC Standards of ethical behavior in early childhood care and education.
NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
Accreditation Information
The A.A.S. Early Childhood Development degree at Patrick & Henry Community College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). The NAEYC site visit is schedule for March of 2023.
Number of Program Completers
| Academic Year |
Number of Program Completers |
Percentage of program completers who were attending full-time (at the time of completion) |
Percentage of program completers who were attending part-time (at the time of completion) |
| 2023-24 |
14* |
9/13 (69.2%) |
4/13 (30.8%) |
| 2022-23 |
8* |
1/6 (16.7%) |
5/6 (83.3%) |
| 2021-22 |
14 |
7/14 (50%) |
7/14 (50%) |
*One (1) student was awarded the credential Summer 2023 but not enrolled in coursework AY23/24.
**Two (2) students were awarded credentials Summer 2022 but not enrolled in coursework AY22/23.
Program Completion Rate
| Academic year in which a Fall cohort of full-time candidates enrolled in the program |
Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 150% of the published timeframe |
Percentage of those candidates who completed the program within 200% (twice) of the published timeframe |
| 2021-22 |
0/4 (0%) |
0/4 (0%) |
| 2020-21 |
2/7 (28.6%) |
2/7 (28.6%) |
| 2019-20 |
3/5 (60%) |
3/5 (60%) |
Fall-to-Fall Retention Rate
| Academic Year |
Percentage of part-time candidates enrolled in the program (% of total enrollment) |
Retention rate among part-time candidates |
Percentage of full-time candidates enrolled in the program (% of total enrollment) |
Retention rate among full-time candidates |
| 2023-24 |
11/37 (29.7%) |
4/11 (10.8%) |
26/37 (70%) |
16/26 (61.5%) |
| 2022-23 |
19/41 (46.3%) |
9/19 (47.7%) |
22/41 (53.7%) |
11/22 (50%) |
| 2021-22 |
26/44 (59.1%) |
8/26 (30.8%) |
18/44 (40.9%) |
8/18 (44.4%) |
Curriculum Requirements: Students must successfully complete all of the requirements (general education and program requirements) listed under the program information to be awarded the Associate of Applied Science in Early Childhood Development.
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