Illinois Community Colleges
Early Childhood Education Programs
Early childhood education programs at community colleges in this state. Coursework for child-care, preschool, and elementary-track teachers.
12 colleges · 164 sections · 96 unique courses · Fall 2026
Illinois community colleges train the people who staff licensed daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and pre-K classrooms across the state. The 164 sections at 12 Illinois Community Colleges institutions this term cover child development, early-literacy methods, classroom management for ages 0–5, family engagement, and the supervised practicum hours required for the state's child-care or T-K teaching credentials.
Most Illinois ECE associate programs are designed for working students — evening and weekend sections are standard — because the typical student is already employed at a child-care center and using the degree to move into a lead-teacher or assistant-director role. Pay is modest but the work is stable and the credentialing pathway is clearer than almost any other field.
Colleges offering Early Childhood Education
| College | Sections | Courses | Online | Awards/yr | 5-yr earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Triton College | 30 | 17 | 13 | — | — |
| Oakton College | 28 | 18 | 22 | — | — |
| Morton College | 20 | 13 | — | — | — |
| Waubonsee Community College | 18 | 15 | 6 | — | — |
| Frontier Community College | 12 | 12 | — | — | — |
| McHenry County College | 12 | 10 | 6 | — | — |
| Wabash Valley College | 12 | 11 | — | — | — |
| South Suburban College | 11 | 11 | 6 | — | — |
| Parkland College | 10 | 8 | 4 | — | — |
| Lincoln Trail College | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Olney Central College | 5 | 5 | — | — | — |
| Shawnee Community College | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — |
Early Childhood Education Availability Snapshot
How early childhood education sections are being offered across 12 colleges in Illinois this term (164 sections total).
Delivery format
- in person96 (59%)
- online58 (35%)
- hybrid10 (6%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)41
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)20
- Evening (5 PM and after)21
- Asynchronous / TBA82
Start dates
Sections begin on 14 distinct dates. 25 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 54 distinct instructors across 12 colleges.
Common Early Childhood Education courses
- EDU 206Human Growth and Development(9 sections)
- ECE 110Intro to Early Childhood Ed(5 sections)
- ECE 115EARLY CHLDHD EDUC(5 sections)
- ECE 120CHILD GROWTH DEVEL(5 sections)
- ECE 1223GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT OF CHILDREN(5 sections)
- ECE 125The Exceptional Child(5 sections)
- ECE 102Child Growth and Development(4 sections)
- ECE 104Introduction to Early Childhood Education(4 sections)
- ECE 1207CHILD OBSERVATION & ASSESSMENT(4 sections)
- EDU 1101EDUCATION IN A DIVERSE SOCIETY(4 sections)
- EDU 1116INTRODUCTION TO TEACHING(4 sections)
- ECE 101Observ & Assessment / Children(3 sections)
Career outlook for Early Childhood Education graduates
Federal Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for the primary career outcome of this program (2024 OEWS release). Compare Illinois’s typical pay to the national picture before choosing where to study.
Wage data reflects all workers in the occupation, not just recent CC graduates — entry-level pay is typically lower. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a degree to work at a daycare in Illinois?
- Requirements vary by role and facility type. Assistant teacher roles at licensed centers typically need a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential — a one-year certificate. Lead teacher in a public pre-K classroom usually requires an associate or bachelor's. Family child-care homes have lower minimums but the higher-paying jobs all require the AAS in early childhood.
- Can I transfer this credit to a teaching bachelor's?
- Usually yes for the general-education portion (English, math, US history) and the foundational child-development courses. Methods-and-practicum credits often need to be re-taken at the four-year level because state teacher-certification programs require specific supervised hours at their own partner schools. Compare colleges' transfer agreements below.
- What's the typical salary for an early-childhood teacher in Illinois?
- Preschool teachers in Illinois earn roughly the state's living wage — lower than public-school K–12 teachers but higher than minimum-wage daycare assistant roles. Head Start lead teachers earn more than private-center teachers thanks to federal funding. Many graduates stack on the CDA, AAS, and eventually a B.A. to keep climbing the pay scale.
- How long does the ECE associate take?
- Two years full-time, including the supervised practicum semester. Many programs are offered fully part-time and online (except for the practicum hours), letting working assistants complete it in 3–4 years while continuing to work.
Compare Early Childhood Education programs in other states
Same comparison view, different state systems. Useful if you’re considering an out-of-state community college or just want to see how Illinois’s early childhood education programs stack up.
Other programs in Illinois
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.