The University of Cincinnati began offering an early childhood education Associate's degree program in its entirety online in 2000. Referred to as the Early Childhood Learning Community (ECLC), the online program targets early childhood teachers and Head Start and Early Head Start staff interested in completing an early childhood degree program but unable to access a campus-based program. ECLC also has added an online bachelor's degree and an online certificate for Infant and Toddler Specialists to meet the diverse needs of the teachers they serve.

In 2005, ECLC began using Head Start Innovative and Improvement grant funds (IIP) to build upon their success and experience with the English language online early childhood Associate’s degree program. During the planning phase of this IIP grant, the ECLC developed a new bilingual/Spanish distance learning degree program that specifically targets Migrant/Head Start teachers whose first language is Spanish.

The new degree program has been implemented and, to date, 48 Spanish-speaking early childhood teachers from across the U.S. have taken online courses and are making progress towards their Associate’s degree. All student support, including academic advising, program orientation, and technology orientation, is provided in Spanish.

For more information, visit http://www.eclc.uc.edu. This Web site is available in Spanish and English.

Lisa Holstrom is the Director of the Early Childhood Learning Community, College of Education, Criminal Justice and Human Services, at the University of Cincinnati. T: 513-556-3627; E: lisa.holstrom@us.edu