Future college students, families and all members of the community are invited to a free “Celebration of Early Learning” event from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on June 4. The event, hosted by Walla Walla Community College’s (WWCC) Early Childhood Education program, will be held at the Parent Child Center, located just behind the Dome at WWCC’s Walla Walla Campus.
Attendees will enjoy free food and beverages, as well as fun activities for children, including a bounce house. WWCC Early Childhood Education students and faculty will also be on hand to share information about the program. The festivities include a dance performance by Baile Folklorico-Estrellas de Mexico.
WWCC offers Washington State Early Childhood Education (ECE) certificates and an associate of arts degree in Early Childhood Education. Students are prepared with the knowledge and tools to enter the childcare and early learning field as highly skilled professionals. Students can attend classes in person or via Zoom. ECE certificate courses meet the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) requirements for early learning professionals currently working in the field. Scholarships are available for those working at programs that participate in Early Achievers.
Many classes are taught in Spanish. In fact, the entire ECE Initial Certificate and ECE Short Certificate of Specialization are taught in Spanish. Students currently enrolled in the Spanish-speaking courses speak of how flexible and interesting these courses are. Students value their education for not only what it will provide for them in a career, but in how it positively influences their roles as parents and nurturers of society as a whole.
“My experiences working in daycare have been amazing,” Aleydis Castillo said. “It is my first time working with children. By taking these WWCC classes in Spanish, I understand more about working with children and how to help them in their development and growth.”
WWCC summer classes begin June 21, while Fall Quarter classes start Sept. 19.