Washington 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.
8 colleges · 60 sections · 36 unique courses · Fall 2026 · Updated today
Washington community colleges train the people who staff licensed daycare centers, preschools, Head Start programs, and pre-K classrooms across the state. The 60 sections at 8 SBCTC 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 Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clover Park Technical College | 20 | 11 | 1 |
| Clark College | 11 | 5 | 6 |
| North Seattle College | 9 | 5 | 9 |
| Bates Technical College | 8 | 8 | 8 |
| Edmonds College | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| Everett Community College | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| Tacoma Community College | 1 | 1 | — |
| Walla Walla Community College | 1 | 1 | — |
Early Childhood Education Availability Snapshot
How early childhood education sections are being offered across 8 colleges in Washington this term (60 sections total).
Delivery format
- online31 (52%)
- hybrid26 (43%)
- in person3 (5%)
When sections meet
- Morning (before noon)3
- Evening (5 PM and after)12
- Asynchronous / TBA45
Start dates
Sections begin on 3 distinct dates.
Instructor diversity
Taught by 24 distinct instructors across 8 colleges.
Degree requirements by college
Expand a college to see the courses required for graduation. Data sourced from each college's official catalog.
Bellevue College4 programs
Centralia College5 programs
Clark College2 programs
Edmonds College12 programs
Grays Harbor College3 programs
Green River College22 programs
Highline College11 programs
Lake Washington Institute of Technology11 programs
Olympic College3 programs
Pierce College District9 programs
Renton Technical College6 programs
Skagit Valley College10 programs
South Puget Sound Community College5 programs
Spokane Falls Community College12 programs
Tacoma Community College3 programs
Walla Walla Community College9 programs
Yakima Valley College11 programs
Common Early Childhood Education courses
- ECE 222Learning Experiences Lab Section II(5 sections)
- ECE 135Partnerships With Families In Early Care & Educ(3 sections)
- ECE 290Portfolio Adventure (Capstone)(3 sections)
- ECE 211Learning Experiences for Young Children II(2 sections)
- ECE 212Learning Experiences for Young Children II Lab(2 sections)
- ECE 195Practicum Specialization: Emotionally Intelligent Child(2 sections)
- ECE 217Prac IV:Infant/Toddler(2 sections)
- ECE 220Practicum Specialization: Responsive Caregiving for Infants & Toddlers(2 sections)
- ECE 230Inclusion In ECE(2 sections)
- ECE 231Practicum Specialization: School Age(2 sections)
- ECE 286Practicum Specialization: Leadership(2 sections)
- ECE 287Practicum Specialization: Child Development(2 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 Washington’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 Washington?
- 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 Washington?
- Preschool teachers in Washington 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 Washington’s early childhood education programs stack up.
Other programs in Washington
Some programs may not be offered at every college — pages render only when the program meets a coverage threshold for the state.