National Louis University’s Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Practice program is designed for students who are interested in early development and education but who do not wish to be licensed teachers. The B.A. in Early Childhood Practice is available at our Chicago campus locations. Consider getting your education degree at NLU if you: * Want to work in child care centers or other settings that do not require state licensure * Want elective options in childcare center practice and infant/toddler practice * Are looking for a child care degree program * Are looking for a well-established and highly regarded program * Would like to study with a group of students who will work together and support one another throughout the program Why NLU for Early Childhood Practice National Louis has a 125-year old reputation for its teacher training programs, and is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE). NLU has trained thousands of Chicago-area teachers in early education and development, and graduated more prestigious Golden Apple award winners than any other institution in Illinois. In addition, this education degree program is aligned with the standards determined by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to foster the ongoing professional development of teachers. NLU was at the forefront of the kindergarten movement in 1886, preparing some of the first early childhood teachers to be employed in the Chicago area. Now more than a century later, our National College of Education continues to design and deliver the best teacher education programs. NLU’s early childhood education faculty brings deep experience teaching young children in classrooms, childcare facilities, and communities. NLU’s professional portfolio assessment process documents student learning experiences and practices so that graduates may present a substantive body of work to potential employers.

Wage and salary jobs in the child day care services industry are projected to grow about 15 percent over the 2008-18 period, compared with the 11 percent employment growth projected for all industries combined. Center-based child care should continue to expand its share of the industry because an increasing number of parents prefer its more formal setting and believe that it provides a better foundation for children before they begin traditional schooling. However, family child care providers will continue to remain an important source of care for many young children because some parents prefer the more personal attention that such a setting can provide. Subsidies for children from low-income families attending child care programs also could result in more children being served in centers, as could the increasing involvement of employers in funding and operating child care centers. Legislation requiring more welfare recipients to work also could contribute to growing demand for child care services.