Oregon 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.
4 colleges · 36 sections · 24 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Oregon community colleges train the people who staff licensed daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and pre-K classrooms across the state. The 36 sections at 4 Oregon CCs 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 Oregon 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
Pick a college to see its full plan — every required course, which ones transfer to the school you want, and what’s open now.
Early Childhood Education is a transfer program — community colleges offer the coursework; you earn the degree, and its earnings, at a four-year university. See where it transfers →
| College | Sections | Courses | Online |
|---|---|---|---|
| Klamath Community College | 16 | 8 | 16 |
| Chemeketa Community College | 10 | 7 | — |
| Lane Community College | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Oregon Coast Community College | 2 | 2 | 1 |
Early Childhood Education Availability Snapshot
How early childhood education sections are being offered across 4 colleges in Oregon this term (36 sections total).
Delivery format
- online23 (64%)
- in person12 (33%)
- hybrid1 (3%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)2
- Afternoon (noon–5 PM)3
- Evening (5 PM and after)3
- Asynchronous / TBA28
Start dates
Sections begin on 2 distinct dates. 1 late-start more than two weeks after the term's earliest start.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 11 distinct instructors across 4 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Chemeketa Community College5 programs
Klamath Community College4 programs
Portland Community College1 program
Recommended Course Sequence
90 credits- ECE 120Introduction to Early Education and Family Studies(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 121Observation and Guidance I(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 122IEnvironments and Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 123PEnvironments and Curriculum for Preschool(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 124Multicultural Practices: Exploring Our Views(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 130APracticum Seminar 1(2 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 130BPracticum Seminar 2(2 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 130CPracticum Seminar 3(2 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 133Practicum 1 in Early Childhood Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 131APracticum for Experienced Teachers 1not offered+ plan
- ECE 134Practicum 2 in Early Childhood Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 131BPracticum for Experienced Teachers 2not offered+ plan
- ECE 135Practicum 3 in Early Childhood Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 196Teaming and Communication in ECE Settings(2 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 200The Professional in Early Education and Family Studies(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 221Observation and Guidance II(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 224Multicultural Practice: Curriculum & Implementation(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 232Math and Science for Young Children(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 234Children with Special Needs in Early Childhood Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 236Language and Literacy in Early Childhood Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- ECE 262Health, Safety and Nutrition for the Young Child(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- HEC 201Family Partnerships in Education(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- HEC 226Child Development(4 cr)not offered+ plan
- HUS 102Mental Health First Aid: Adult(1 cr)not offered+ plan
- HE 295Health and Fitness for Lifeand Health and Fitness for Life Lab(3 cr)not offered+ plan
- EMS 100Introduction to Emergency Medical Services(1 cr)not offered+ plan
- HE 112Standard First Aid and Emergency Carenot offered+ plan
Source: College catalog
Rogue Community College5 programs
Common Early Childhood Education courses
- ECE 280Coop Wk Exp: Early Childhood Education **NC(3 sections)
- ECE 163Preschool Practicum(2 sections)
- ECE 261Student Teaching 1(2 sections)
- ECE 262Student Teaching 2(2 sections)
- ECE 101Child, Family, Community(2 sections)
- ECE 103Assessment & Evaluation(2 sections)
- ECE 135Mathematics and the Young Child(2 sections)
- ECE 200The Professional in Early ChildhoodEducation(2 sections)
- EDU 113Instructional Strategies in Language Arts & Reading(2 sections)
- EDU 200Intro to Education(2 sections)
- EDU 280Coop Wk Exp: Education **NC(2 sections)
- ECE 145Group Games School Age Child(1 section)
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 Oregon’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 Oregon?
- 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 Oregon?
- Preschool teachers in Oregon 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 Oregon’s early childhood education programs stack up.
Other programs in Oregon
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.