Early Childhood Education

The Early Childhood Education Program at Kaskaskia College exists for students completing the two-year early childhood program. Students enter the profession assuming responsibility for the care and education of an individual group of young children in various settings such as child care centers, preschools, nonpublic kindergartens, before-and/or after-school child care programs, or family day care homes.

All Early Childhood Education degrees and certificates have online options.

Program Information

Early Childhood Education Degree
ECE Level 2 Certificate
ECE Level 3 Certificate
Infant-Toddler Level 2 Certificate
Infant-Toddler Level 3 Certificate
Gateways to Opportunity Credential Information

Attention Early Care & Education Professionals!

As with other occupations, Gateways to Opportunity Credentials are recognized by the State of Illinois and validate educational accomplishments, skill sets, and experience for early care, school-age youth, and child welfare professionals like you!

Why should I apply for Credentials?

• Credentials are increasingly being required for positions in the field of early childhood.
• Children benefit from quality early childhood settings, in which Credentials can boost your credibility with employers, parents, and peers.
• Credentials may increase wages through salary supplement programs or employer recognition.

How do I apply for Credentials?

• Please click here to be directed to the Credential menu page of the Gateways to Opportunity and how you can apply for Credentials through the entitled route. Once you click on the Credential of interest, please review the Credential framework (at the bottom of the page) for the requirements at each level.

Why should I apply through the entitled route?

• By attending a Gateways to Opportunity Entitled Higher Education Institution, your school or university has done most of the work for you by embedding the requirements of the Credentials into your coursework. This creates a pathway to earn a degree and Credential simultaneously.

Be recognized for your passion for educating and caring for children; apply for Credentials today!

If you have any questions, please inquire at ilgateways.com

Early Childhood Access Consortium for Equity (ECACE) Scholarship

The ECACE program was created to address Illinois’ shortage of qualified professionals in the early childhood field. This scholarship seeks to help those individuals who currently work or have worked in the early childhood field and would like to advance their credentials or degrees in early childhood education. Awards are available for the pursuit of undergraduate studies at public or non-profit private 2- and 4-year Gateways-entitled and ECACE member institutions. The award will cover the total cost of attendance for a full academic year at a community college or public university. Recipients of this scholarship are expected to continue or enter into teaching or direct services in the early childhood care and education field in Illinois upon completion of their studies.

To be eligible, you must be a member of the incumbent workforce, having worked in or currently working in the early childhood field (in either a licensed or licensed-exempt facility). Examples include home-based childcare, center-based childcare, Preschool for All programs, Head Start, etc. Applicants must provide documentation of current membership in the Gateways to Opportunity Registry.
The application process is simple! We have navigators who can help walk you through each step of the way. Click on the link to access the scholarship application.

https://www.isac.org/ECACEscholarship
For more information on this great opportunity or to get connected with a navigator in your area, please contact Becky Hitpas using the information below.

Becky Hitpas
Early Childhood Consortium Coach
Email: rhitpas@kaskaskia.edu
Phone: 618-545-3405