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Drawer Trigger

Early Childhood

Prepare for an exciting career that will shape the next generation. Fully online courses equip you as an early childhood professional for teaching, administration, leadership in the field and more. Learn to effectively create and implement meaningful, developmentally appropriate curriculum, partner with parents and families, promote young children's learning and development from birth through age eight, and all from a Biblical worldview perspective. 

  • Fully online classes
  • 5-or-7-week course format
  • Small class sizes
  • Personal interactions with early childhood education professors
  • Transfer units toward a bachelor’s degree
  • Earn a bachelor’s degree, Transitional Kindergarten or Early Childhood Certificate, or take individual courses as needed for continuing education
  • Integrate faith and learning
  • Complete your degree in 18-24 months
I am most grateful for the love of Jesus Christ that is present throughout the Vanguard experience. I had heard of other colleges that have a Christian framework but it is not infused in the teaching. Yet, with Vanguard it was like learning in a "home" of grace, compassion, understanding and kindness. Having this philosophy and have it modeled has been an example I will follow in my own journey as an ECE advocate and teacher. I know that it is not that I am a Christian who owns a preschool and teaches, but a disciple of Jesus Christ who ministers truth, love, grace, hope and joy into the lives of children, families and other professionals.
Jill Lodato
Fall, 2017

Early Childhood (B.A.)

The B.A. in early childhood prepares students for roles in teaching, curriculum development, administration, and more. This program also offers a concentration in Special Education or S.T.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math). 

Certificate Programs

  • The Transitional Kindergarten Certificate offers several pathways to qualify students to teach in transitional kindergarten programs. 
  • The Early Childhood Education Certificate offers the foundational early childhood courses and qualifies students for a variety of CA Child Development Permit levels.

Individual Courses

Non-degree seeking students may take individual early childhood courses to meet your needs for continuing education or to learn more about early childhood education.

One of the greatest strengths of the VU ECE program is that the education experience is fully online. Living overseas and moving five times over the past year made the online program that much more convenient and practical for me to continue my studies. Another great strength at Vanguard is being surrounded by teachers and peers with the same beliefs.  Teacher and peer conversations were always respectful and kind to each other.
Sandy Chan
2016

Program Highlights

Small Class Sizes

The maximum class size is 18, allowing for individual attention and communication between students and instructors.

Accelerated Program

Classes start year round. 99% of our transfer students complete the program within 12-24 months.

Learner Centered

Highly qualified professionals provide personalized instruction with care.

Accreditations

West Coast Science
Western Association of Schools & Colleges
Awesome Biology
Assemblies of God
Awesome Biology
Council for Christian Colleges & Universities

"Best Online Bachelor Degree Programs in Early Childhood Education"

A Sampling of Early Childhood Courses

Child Growth and Development

Guiding the Young Child's Behavior

The Exceptional Child and the Inclusive Classroom
I think the greatest strength to the VU ECE program is the professors. Many of my classmates and myself were working full time when we began this program, and the professors’ encouragements meant so much to me personally. I was speaking to some of the classmates at the graduation, and they shared the same thing, how the professors’ encouragements and support has been so valued by all of us. Feeling understood and shown compassion to made a chaotic day or week so much more peaceful.
Cindy Yi
2017

Meet Our Faculty & Staff

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Cynthia Barlett

Adjunct Faculty

Julia Chandler

Adjunct Faculty
Seon Chun-Burbank EdD, MPA

Seon Chun-Burbank EdD, MPA

Associate Professor/Chair of Early Childhood Education
Shelby Clatterbuck

Shelby Clatterbuck

Adjunct Faculty in Early Childhood

Toby Espley

Adjunct

Robin Fairfield

Adjunct
Bill Hughes

Bill Hughes

Administrative Assistant
Kristen Lin

Kristen Lin

Adjunct Faculty
Rosa Moon

Rosa Moon

Adjunct Faculty
Jeanette Oehrlein

Jeanette Oehrlein

Adjunct Faculty

We invite you to take the next step