The vision of the program is to develop infant-toddler, pre-kindergarten, kindergarten and primary grade teachers who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to:
- Create, teach and assess child-centered, constructivist learning experiences for all children in inclusive and diverse classrooms;
- Engage and collaborate with families, communities and other professionals to support the learning and development of all young children;
- Teach and nurture young children based on knowledge of typical and atypical child development, educational psychology and diversity in our society;
- Act as inclusive early childhood professionals who are continuous, collaborative and reflective learners, who act using ethical guidelines, and who advocate for all young children and their families.
Graduates work in a variety of educational settings for young children, including community agencies, daycare centers, pre-kindergartens, kindergartens and the primary grades of 1-3. Graduates of the program earn three credentials in four years:
- Early Childhood Education license for pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade.
- Early Childhood Intervention Specialist license for pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade.
- Birth to Age 3 Early Intervention Specialist credential through the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities to work with infants and toddlers who have a disability or who are at risk.
The Inclusive Early Childhood Education programme is offered at Bowling Green State University.