Foundations of Early Childhood Education focuses on the standards set by the NAEYC for teacher preparation and on the way these standards are reflected in the workplace. Students develop a resume and create an electronic professional portfolio that can be used for interview purposes. The professional portfolio includes competency statements with supportive artifacts using the NAEYC Standards for Early Childhood Professional Preparation for associate degree programs. The course emphasizes the purpose of ongoing professional development with special attention to current trends in ECE in NH, such as Early Learning Standards and the NH ECE Professional Development System. Students observe activities in an approved early childhood setting for at least ten hours outside of class time.