Our Mission
The SMC Education/Early Childhood Program prepares students for careers in early care and education, including transfer to a four-year college/university. In collaboration with high quality community partners, we offer coursework, mentoring, and field experiences that build student's capacity for integrating interdisciplinary knowledge and skills, critical thinking, inquiry driven practice, and advocacy to teach and support children, families, and the early care community.
Our Values
Our program value the diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, identities, and aspirations of our students. We acknowledge structural inequities that privilege some and disadvantage others. We engage students as collaborators in identifying inequitable practices and replacing them with those that advance justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in early care and education, so that they in turn can advance equitable learning opportunities and outcomes for themselves and the children and families they will serve.
EDU/ECE Student Handbook
The Education/Early Childhood Student Handbook is full of tools and information that will be useful to you, whether you're just starting in our program, making steady progress through your pathway, getting ready for hands-on fieldwork experiences, or finishing up your final semester at SMC.
Events & Employment Opportunities
Stay connected to the department after class. The SMC Education/Early Childhood Department LinkedIn Group is where current students and alumni get job announcements from our industry partners, updates on department events, and ECE-specific news you won't find anywhere else. The group requires approval to join, a small step that keeps the space focused on our community and free of spam. Request to join and check back regularly since new postings go up often.
We invite you to join us on LinkedIn: SMC Education/Early Childhood Department
Programs of Study
Infant & Toddler Teacher
Embark on a rich path of growth and professional development in our Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler program. Infant and toddler professionals work in early childhood education centers, child development facilities and family child care homes.
Degree Information
Preschool Assistant & Teacher (Transfer Pathway Available)
Make a difference in children’s lives during key stages of growth and development. Preschool, or pre-kindergarten (Pre-K) is an early childhood education program that provides care and education to children between the ages of 3-5 years.
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Earn a multi-subject credential and immerse yourself in an interactive, experiential learning environment that trains you to teach Transitional Kindergarten or TK.
Elementary Teacher Education (Transfer Pathway)
The perfect fit if you plan to transfer and complete a Liberal Studies Degree and a multiple-subject teaching credential for a career as an Elementary School Teacher.
Early Intervention Assistant
Our specialized early childhood intervention program equips you with the knowledge, tools, and experience you need to teach from a culturally sensitive and family-focused perspective. We emphasize strengths-based learning for individuals across all abilities and backgrounds.
Nature-based Pedagogy
This unique program provides a foundation in environmental education and stewardship for early educators through the lens of developmentally appropriate nature-based practices. Explore nature focused activities through the principles and practices of the Forest Kindergarten movement and learn how to create, manage, and promote a high quality outdoor learning environment for children.
Child & Adolescent Development (Transfer)
The Child and Adolescent Development degree is designed for students who intend to work with children, youth and their families in social work, community-based settings, in preparation for elementary or secondary education services, counseling, developmental psychology and non-profit agencies.
Skill Building (Noncredit)
Free skill building classes provide job training and can serve as a first step toward pursuing a certificate of achievement or associate degree at SMC.