The MBSH Early Childhood Education Academy

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program at Miami Beach Senior High School is a four year course of study that provides the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for employment in the field of early childhood education.

The basic program consists of 4 credits in Early Childhood Education, with a minimum of 120 hours of classroom instruction and 480 hours of direct work with young children. This includes the Florida DCF 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training Part I and Part II. Students must pass the Department of Children and Family (DCF) Part I and Part II competency exams in order to receive credit from DCF.

Students who complete the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program and meet all of the requirements, are eligible to receive an Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC).  This is a preschool specialization.  Seniors who are awarded the ECPC become eligible for the DCF Staff Credential and a Child Development Associate (CDA).  The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE) and is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE.   

The Florida Department of Education EPCP/ CDA is based upon the eight subject areas listed below:

- Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
- Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
- Supporting children's social and emotional development
- Building productive relationships with families
- Managing an effective program operation
- Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
- Observing and recording children's behavior
- Understanding principles of child development and learning

Each of these content areas is considered to be an integral part of the ECE Program.  Through classroom-based instruction, lab activities, and their field work experiences, students will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the principles of child development, and the creation of age-appropriate activities for children from birth through age 8.

The ECE program at MBSH is designed to prepare students to assist in the responsibility for caring and guiding the development of young children. The curriculum includes instruction and activities related to language and motor skill development, early and emergent literacy, science, math, art, music, dramatic play, classroom management, developmentally appropriate practices, and current health and neurological research and discoveries. 

There is a material fee for this class of $25.00.

Please visit the Early Childhood Education Academy's Web-Page. 

See Ms. Rivero in room 226 or email at njrivero@dadeschools.net