For every 20 children in a licensed child care facility, the state requires at least one worker with a Florida Child Care Professional Credential. Southwest Florida College is now an approved provider through the Department of Children and Families to offer the FCCPC upon completion of the Early Childhood Care & Management diploma program.

The diploma program promotes collaborative learning and critical reflection as a way to develop a community of life-long learners who respect diverse perspectives, make informed decisions, and are responsive to the changing needs of children in our society. Faculty members bring both academic preparation and industry experience to the classroom, which also helps students make the transition from the classroom to the real world.

The demand for classrooms teachers is expected to continue to grow for many years to come.  Southwest Florida College has recognized this opportunity and is now offering a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education.

Southwest Florida College’s Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education is a four year program designed to prepare students to teach in an Elementary school setting.  The program includes coursework and field experiences including one full term of student teaching.  The program introduces you to the many facets of teaching from the foundation of designing instruction, classroom management and assessment to specialized topics such as ESOL principles and practices, teaching diverse populations, and integrating the Arts into instruction.  Students who successfully complete this program will also be eligible to sit for the ESOL certification in the state of Florida.

Let Southwest Florida College put you ahead of the class.  Southwest Florida College’s Elementary Education program will equip you with the practical skills and know how to prepare the next generation for a lifetime of success.

The Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education is designed to be a completion degree for individuals who possess an Associate in Science degree and seek to expand their knowledge and career opportunities by earning a Bachelor’s degree.  The Early Childhood Education Bachelor’s degree is designed to prepare student’s to teach in Preschool though Grade 3.  The program is based on a foundation of coursework that prepares students to develop lesson plans, develop curriculum, instruction and assessment in the classroom and includes additional areas of study in Art and Music, exceptional children, health and safety, social studies and language development. Students who successfully complete this program will also be eligible to sit for the ESOL certification in the state of Florida. 

The Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program is designed to prepare students for careers in early childhood education. Early childhood educators work in preschools, childcare centers, school-age programs and in public schools with children through the age of 8. In addition, the coursework provides students with opportunities to study and apply their understanding in emergent literacy, the exceptional child, and in documenting observations and using the data to plan lessons to meet the needs of the children. Students will focus on the creation of developmentally appropriate curriculums, and instruction and assessment in their classrooms. The program includes a hands-on externship in an area school as the capstone course prior to graduation. Upon completion of the program, the student will have a strong background in the growth and development of young children; understand how children learn; be aware of the diversity in our population; be able to observe children and use the data to plan developmentally appropriate instructional experiences; and understand the roles of the teacher, the family and the school community in early childhood education.