Child Family Services
A video highlighting the Child Family Services program:
You can also view the video above directly though our website instead of YouTube by clicking here.
To view a brochure on the Child Family Services program, click here or on the brochure cover image above.
To download a printer friendly version of the brochure, click here. The information from the brochure is also at the bottom of this page.
About the Child Family Services program:
Students in the Child Family Services program learn the skills necessary to work with and care for children.
Major course components include:
Human development;
Food and nutrition;
Child psychology and development;
Early childhood education;
Classroom management;
Nursery school/child care administration
Parenting; and
Nursery school aide and day care programs.
Theory and laboratory activities focus on nursery school, which is conducted for preschoolers each year as part of the class. The program has articulation agreements with SUNY Cobleskill, Mohawk Valley Community College and Herkimer County Community College.
Child Family Services 360 classroom video:
More about the Child Family Services program:
Students enrolled in this program develop skills to become competent teachers and/or caregivers of young children in the fields of early childhood education and human services. Students develop and utilize the following skills: critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, teamwork, leadership, trust-building, communication, conflict management, and recognizing and valuing diversity.
Former students are working in: day care centers, elementary schools, pre-kindergartens, special education, The Child Care Council of Cornell Cooperative Extension, Head Start, Lexington, Upstate Cerebral Palsy, Herkimer County Mental Health, Herkimer-Fulton-Hamilton-Ostego BOCES, Catholic Charities, HARC, and afterschool programs.
Graduates have continued their education earning degrees at local community colleges, Utica College, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Fredonia, SUNY Cortland and SUNY Oneonta.
Program Highlights:
First-year students work with preschoolers in our laboratory nursery school. Second-year students work with toddlers in our school lab and have the opportunity to participate in an individualized internship geared toward their future career choice. Possible internship sites include pre-kindergarten, elementary school, licensed family day care homes, special education, and human services agencies. Students become certified in infant/child and adult CPR, first aid and Epipen administration and also obtain CDA certification.
Units Covered:
Children’s physical, intellectual/ language, social, and emotional development
Characteristics of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, and inclusion of children with special needs
Positive guidance techniques and reinforcement
Creating safe, healthful, and creative environments
Classroom organization, management, and arrangement
Diversity in the classroom
Observation, documentation and assessment
Family involvement and community relationships
Career planning for early childhood education and human services
Articulation Agreements with Herkimer College, MVCC, and SUNY Cobleskill & transferable college credit through Herkimer College up to 21 credits.
Work-Based Hours:
Students participate in an on-site lab and have the opportunity for an internship off-site (pending entry-level requirements are met).