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What types of careers are available in early childhood?
Child Care Centers
Provide care for larger numbers of children in separate
buildings, churches or schools. Children come for part or all of the day.
Centers usually follow
a plan of regularly-scheduled activities. Children of the same age play
together. Teachers in child-care
centers plan and implement activities that are appropriate for the children
with whom they are working. 
Children in child-care centers are grouped by age as follows:
- Infants: birth - 15 months
- Toddlers: 16 months - 32 months
- Preschool: 33 months - 5 years
Early Childhood Programs
Nursery School or Preschool
Offer only part-time care, usually for children ages 2-1/2 to 5 years.
Parents choose this type of care for the organized activities and opportunities
for their children to be with children of the same age.
Head Start
Centers sponsored by the federal and state government to serve low-income
children ages 2-1/2 to 5 years. This program also provides health-care
services and involves parents in the program.
A program for children in all Minnesota school districts. Parents meet with an educator while children participate in an Early Childhood Family Education Program.
Early Childhood Special Education
A public school-based program for children with special needs.
In-Home Care (Nanny)
A position that involves the care of children and varies in additional
responsibilities that aid in household functioning. Requirements of the
position can be quite diverse; live-in or live-out, full-time or part-time,
private employers or agencies.
Family Child Care
Caring for children in the licensed home of the caregiver. The child-care
provider is often a parent with young children. Parents choose this type
of care for the home setting, flexible hours and small group size. Caregivers
may care for up to 10 children, depending on their ages.
Other graduates have secured employment as:
Paraprofessionals with area public school districts Child Care Resource & Referral Specialists Case aides with social service programs Personal Support Attendants for children with special needs A number of students have continued their education to achieve a 4-year degree in Elementary Education or other related fields.
Contact Information:
Rochester Community and Technical College
851 30th Ave SE, Rochester, MN 55904-4999
Contact Info: (507) 285-7210 or 1-800-247-1296 / TTY Relay 1-800-627-3529
RCTC is a University Center Rochester partner and a member of the MnSCU system.
© 2007 Rochester Community and Technical College, All rights reserved.
RCTC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer.
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