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What is "Early Childhood Education"? (ECC)

2012-10-17T08:54:00-04:00

Early Childhood Centers
Craig Siepka, PK-12 Design Leader for Wight

Terminology in the education field can be tricky. Consider the two terms: “early childhood education” and “early childhood center”. You might logically deduce that an Early Childhood Center (ECC) is for all kids in their early childhood (ages three to five), in which “early childhood education” takes place. In a broad sense this is true. But if you think ECCs are a fancy name for “daycare,” you couldn’t be more wrong.

Yes, early childhood education refers to the education of young children by people outside the family or in settings outside the home before the age at which they begin to attend compulsory schooling. But ECCs serve a purpose fare greater/more profound/complex than simply accommodating children for a few hours each day to get them ready for Elementary school.

Here are the facts: ECCs are facilities specifically designed to address the educational and related developmental needs of child...

Not a Preschool, But a Prelude to Success

2012-07-16T10:31:00-04:00

By Kevin Havens, Director of Design; Wight & Company

Terminology in the education field can be tricky. For example, you might logically deduce that an Early Childhood Center (ECC) is for all kids in their early childhood (ages three to five), which in a broad sense is true. But if you think ECCs are a fancy name for “preschool,” you couldn’t be more wrong.

Here are the facts. ECCs are facilities designed to address the educational and related developmental needs of children who have disabilities or are experiencing developmental delays. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] requires the public school system to provide qualified preschool children with free specialized services to help them succeed in school. Most districts provide these at various elementary schools and other facilities; ECCs offer a way to centralize services in one location.

The confusion about ECCs is understandable, and not just because of the name. For one thing, these centers are not o...