Be a positive force in the lives of young children as an assistant teacher in early
childhood education.
Early Childhood Education
Early childhood education
Early childhood education provides the building blocks for social, emotional and behavioral
development. Childcare centers rely on well-trained people to provide learning opportunities
and care for young children. Children symbolize hope for the future. When parents
work, they entrust their children with early childhood education professionals.
In our early childhood education program, you may:
Pursue a certificate in preparation for work as an assistant teacher
Discover more about the profession before committing to a program in education or
early childhood education
Earn either the Gateways ECE Level 2 or Level 3 certification
ECE at Kish
ECEatKish
Be a positive force in the lives of young children.
Early childhood educators and assistant teachers are found in several places, including
childcare centers, preschools and special programs for children ages 6-weeks through
8 years old.
The National Career Clusters Framework created a tool to help you find a career that
suits your interests and skills. Our early childhood education program is part of
the Education & Training career cluster.
Coursework is taught by experienced, caring faculty.
Kish is a Gateway credentialed entitled college. Gateways credentials are symbols of professional achievement that show your knowledge,
skills and experience in caring and educating for children. They are an individual
achievement that you can be proud of. Credentials are awarded and recognized by the
Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development.
Earning a Gateways credential signifies to employers that you have received quality
knowledge, skills and experience in taking care of children. It is a professional
achievement to take pride in.
Our certificate program is an excellent way to get your foot in the door in the childcare
industry and try out the profession before becoming an early childhood educator or
pursuing other positions in the industry.
Students interested in pursuing a certificate are encouraged to speak with their academic
advisor for course and career planning.
The Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship is for people
interested in working or advancing their careers in early childhood education. ECACE
scholarships cover costs such as tuition, fees, room and board, books, and supplies
for undergraduate students (including Kish ECE students) participating in Illinois
colleges or universities.
Scholarship Criteria:
Currently working or having worked in positions such as teacher, assistant or director
in early childhood centers, schools or homes; and membership in the Gateways to Opportunity
registry.
Enrollment or acceptance for enrollment on a full- or part-time basis at a public
or non-profit private 2- or 4-year ECACE-participating institution in Illinois, as
an undergraduate student, pursuing an early childhood education major or postsecondary
credential.
Perla Gonzalez, a Kishwaukee College nursing student, was named the recipient of a $1,000 Illinois Community College Faculty Association (ICCFA) Student Scholarship. She was recognized with the award at the ICCFA conference luncheon on Nov. 10 in Bloomington.
The Kishwaukee College Continuing Education department will offer seven short-term training programs during the Spring 2024 semester. Kish short-term programs provide students with the skills and training needed to meet local workforce demands. The programs range from 11-20 weeks, allowing students to immediately start a career or build upon their skills with additional training.