West Shore Community College’s Early Childhood Education program has received renewed accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This accreditation confirms that the program meets national standards for early childhood teacher education.
West Shore is now among the 200 accredited early childhood programs across the nation. Lisa Morley, a professor of early childhood education and child development, stated, “NAEYC has always been the leading authority for best practices in early childhood education, and this accreditation reflects the high quality of our program in preparing students to be skilled early childhood educators.”
The program is designed to equip students with the skills needed to work effectively with children and their families. It includes hands-on experiences such as observations, assignments, and student teaching, conducted at local early childhood education centers.
West Shore Community College offers a range of options, including a national child development credential, a one-year certificate in early childhood education, and an associate degree in applied arts and sciences. Additionally, the college provides a “3 plus 1” program in collaboration with Ferris State University. This program allows students to complete three years of coursework at West Shore followed by one year at Ferris State to earn a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education.