Early Childhood

With the addition of the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Degree program, Quincy University is developing a needed workforce. There are many different places to work in Early Childhood throughout Adams County and a shortage in the number of qualified workers. This shortage is expected to grow, causing an urgency to strengthen the ECE workforce. QU has the unique opportunity to meet this need.

Currently, nontraditional students are where QU’s largest pool of recruitment is coming from for the Early Childhood program. In response, QU is offering flexible scheduling and online classes to meet the educational needs of these students. QU offers a degree option for those who want an Early Childhood degree but do not want or need state licensure.

The addition of the Early Childhood Education program at Quincy University provides a much needed “hub” to centralize services and support to the greater Quincy area and programs serving young children.

“The focus on early childhood education is strong in Quincy and the surrounding areas. Multiple community partners consistently collaborate to ensure high-quality programming is being delivered to children and families, and to avoid duplication of services,” said Julia Auch, PhD, Quincy University early childhood education coordinator.

This collaborative effort ensures community needs are met and that the best specialist is used. Community partners include West Central Child Care Connection, local Early Childhood Directors, and John Wood Community College.

While the new degree program meets an immediate need for area Early Childhood workers, the benefits are long-reaching.

“If we identify learning issues in the first five years, the child has a better chance of long-term success, all the way to higher education,” said Auch. The long-term return on building the ECE program in Adams County is longevity in the workforce and improving the local economy. Children from underserved communities in K-12 settings who attend comprehensive ECE programs require fewer remedial services as compared to their peers and experience higher graduation rates.

ECE Offers:

Extensive field and clinical experiences that provides students with hands-on, authentic learning opportunities.

Degree Benefits:

With this degree, students graduating from QU will be able to work with multiple age groups and grade levels in a variety of settings.

Career Options:

Include working as an infant and toddler teacher, a pre-school through second-grade teacher, family services worker, childcare administrator, or an early intervention specialist.