THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The B.Ed. Early Childhood Education programme of CSUC is designed to produce professional teachers who will be well equipped with the skills, knowledge and the right attitudes to handle children in their formative years. The programme provides elective courses in early childhood education as well as general courses for the students. This means that apart from acquiring in-depth knowledge and competencies required of the early childhood educator, the students will also be taught content knowledge in key subjects to enhance their capability of delivering effective instruction and continuing their education. The programme is of 4-year duration by conventional mode leading to the award of a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education.
The programme is primarily run to attain the following aims:
● Train professionally competent pre-school teachers who exhibit knowledge of Christ, moral uprightness and a passion to serve humanity.
● Provide a sound Christian environment for trainee teachers to acquire Christ-like attitude and principles for quality service as early childhood educators.
● Provide teacher trainees with in-depth knowledge of the foundations of teaching and learning for effective classroom practice.
● Create opportunities for trainees to undertake research and teaching service in educational institutions and communities.
● Produce professionally-minded teachers who demonstrate commitment to the development of children and their environments.
● Promote a close working relationship between Christian Service University College and local early childhood education establishments.
Objectives of the Programme
On completion of the programme graduates should be able to:
● Show thorough understanding and exhibit knowledge of the nature of the early childhood period (1-8 years) and make commitment to professionalism.
● Explain the basic concepts, knowledge and analytical skills of the variety of disciplines which contribute to an understanding of the early childhood period.
● Demonstrate a basic understanding of child development and apply this knowledge in practice.
● Explain specific skills, knowledge and concepts in the areas of liberal education from the humanities, arts and sciences.
● Develop critical and analytical minds that will help them to evaluate situations.
● Show understanding for the need for continued reflection and development.
● Exhibit the skills, commitment, sensitivity and the knowledge in handling children.
● Plan and implement developmentally appropriate programmes that advance children’s learning and development including physical, social, emotional and intellectual competence.
● Observe and assess children’s behaviour for use in planning and individualizing the curriculum.
● Recognize the uniqueness of each child and the support to offer each child.
● Demonstrate the skills and knowledge to undertake research.
Justification of Programme
The need for a Certificate in Early Childhood Education and Development (ECED) programme at the Christian Service University College (CSUC) is in response to the growing concern of educationists and educational practitioners in Ghana that – in an attempt to meet the demands and expectations of the Ghana Government White Paper on the Anamuah-Mensah Education Review Committee Report of 2002 – many schools have mushroomed and blossomed to cater for the Pre-School / Kindergarten part of the formal education system in the country, without the corresponding and commensurate competent and professionally trained teachers and care-givers to handle the large catchment of the young Ghanaian children under the age of eight (8). Consequently, many a Ghanaian toddler is entrusted in the care of novices and/or non-professionally trained teachers. With the high rate of the patronage of these educational establishments by the typical Ghanaian parents – who have little choice other than deposit their children and wards at these pre-primary schools, whilst they go to work all day long – there is the need to offer, and professionally train, these teachers and practitioners and equip them with the skills, knowledge and right attitudes that will make them successful in providing good quality psychosocial, cognitive and affective nurturance practices to handle children in their delicate formative years. The programme is designed to offer initial basic training, as well as transform and/or prepare novices and non-professional personnel to be good quality teachers, practitioners, and handlers for the Pre-School / Kindergarten / Day-Care level. It provides courses in early childhood education and development, as well as general courses for the students. This means that apart from acquiring in-depth knowledge and the basic competencies required for the early childhood educator, practitioner and handler, the students will also be exposed to content knowledge in ECED to enhance their capability of delivering effective instruction, supervisory roles, and continuing their education through the Diploma and Bachelor’s programmes.
Job Prospects
Job opportunities for the graduates are available in:
• Early Childhood Education establishments
• Social Welfare Operations
• Establishing and Managing Early Childhood Care Institutions
• NGOs with particular interest in Early Childhood Education and development
• Orphanages
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the B.Ed (Early Childhood Education) programme, a prospective candidate must satisfy one of the following academic requirements:
i. Teachers with Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Christain Service University College. (Such applicants will enter the programme at Level 200).
ii. Teachers with Diploma in Early Childhood Education (minimum of 2nd Class – Lower Division) from Colleges of Education. (Such applicants will enter the programme at Level 300).
iii. SSSCE credits (A-D) in six (6) subjects: three (3) electives from the Sciences, Arts, or Business programmes plus three (3) core subjects in English Language, Mathematics, and Integrated Science. Aggregate score should not exceed 24.
iv. WASSCE credits (A1-C6) in six (6) subjects: three (3) electives from the Sciences, Arts, or Business programmes plus three (3) core subjects in English Language, Mathematics, and Integrated Science. The aggregate score should not exceed 36.
v. GCE Ordinary and Advanced Level holders: Candidates should have two (2) GCE Advanced Level passes and five (5) GCE Ordinary Level credits including English Language and Mathematics.
vi. Mature Applicants must
● Be at least 25 years at the academic year one wants to enrol.
[The candidate should show proof of age with birth certificate or any documentary proof of birth date which is at least 5 years old at the time of application]
● Possess the WASSCE / SSSCE Certificate or a Certificate of Professional Training from a recognised accredited institution.
● pass the Christian Service University College Entrance Examination.
Programme Structure
The programme structure over the 4-year period is as below
Year
Semester Early Childhood Education Courses General Courses Total Credit Hours
1 1 9 9 18
2 9 9 18
2 1 9 9 18
2 9 9 18
3 1 9 9 18
2 9 9 18
4 1 12 6 18
2 Project work
Off Campus Teaching / Internship 3
12
Total – 141
Graduation
For eventual graduation, a candidate must successfully complete the 141 credit-hour load and obtain a Cummulative Grade Point Avearge (CGPA) of 1.0 or above before s/he can be awarded the B.Ed (Early Childhood Education) degree.
