Welcome to Early Childhood Education

Throughout our Department you will see clear reflections of one of our primary philosophical beliefs. Early Care has decisive and long-lasting impact on how we think and learn, how we manage stress and how we deal with our emotions. We strive to help students discover why the early years are such important learning years and how they can play a positive role in the lives of children and families! Research supports what we see on a daily basis with our students...the level of education of the care giver has significant impact on the quality of care provided to young children. Perhaps one of the biggest challenges we face in our field is helping people understand that "not just anybody" can work effectively with children. An enjoyment of children is important but is not enough to sustain the level of complex decision making required of Early Childhood Professionals on a daily basis. In a field where public awareness and yearly income are both generally very low, our students must truly possess both desire and competence in order to have positive influence in the lives of young children and their families.

The Department of Early Childhood Education is a part of the Business Technologies Division. Joan Sanoff founded this department over twenty years ago, and oversaw the planning and construction of our current building in 1992. Classes are offered at all Wake Tech campuses and some community school sites. Our faculty are active in various campus committees such as Wake Technical Community College Faculty Senate and the Wake Technical Community College Professional Development Committee, as well as community activities and advocacy events.

A portion of these services are made possible by our funding partner, Wake County SmartStart, an organization that ensures children are prepared for success in school and life. For more information, please visit www.wakesmartstart.org.