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Early Childhood Practicum

Mandatory DHHS and Criminal Background Checks

Please Carefully Read ALL The Important Information Below.

Any student enrolled or wanting to take an ECED course in the Early Childhood Education Program at Metropolitan Community College must complete the following:
All students who are over the age of 18 must be fingerprinted in order to do field experiences and practicums. Any student who will be going into an Early Childhood Program must complete the DHHS Department of Health and Human Services Abuse Registry Check AND complete the Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Application. If you have questions about your status on these checks, please email Char Evans at ckevans@mccneb.edu.

All students will receive an email at the beginning of every quarter with directions on how to complete the background checks. Be sure you check your student MCC email.

In ORDER To Proceed In The Program

In order to proceed in the program, you are required to complete two items ASAP:
  1. Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Check
  2. DHHS Department of Health and Human Services online link via DHHS email

Instructions for Completion of #1 Child Care Fingerprint Criminal History Check

  • Log on to DHHS Criminal History Check
  • Complete application
  • You will need 2 copies of the application
    • (a.) One to submit to DHHS at DHHS.ChildCareLicensing@nebraska.gov or mailed to:
      DHHS Lincensure Unit
      Children's Services
      PO Box 94986
      Lincoln, NE 68509-4986 and
    • (b.) One to bring with you to the location you choose to get your fingerprints rolled.
  • Find a fingerprinting location in your area. A current listing of all locations can be found at: http://dhhs.ne.gov/licensure/Pages/Child-Care-Licensing.aspx (Tip: Nebraska State Patrol locations have LiveScan capability and offer the quickest way to receive results). Completing fingerprints at an alternative site will result in increased processing time and may have an additional service fee.
  • Bring your government issued photo identification card (drivers license, passport, etc.) to the location identified.
  • Provide a copy of the completed application to the fingerprinting technician.
  • If the location is not a Nebraska State Patrol Troop location, you must submit fingerprints to the following address: Nebraska State Patrol - Criminal Identification Division 3800 NW 12th Street, Ste A Lincoln, NE 68521

Whether you currently work in a childcare center or not, you will still need to complete the application. Fill out Section I with MCC as the childcare center with Char Evans email address ckeveans@mccneb.edu. Also, complete Section II and sign. ONCE THE APP is COMPLETE, EMAIL AS A PDF TO Char Evans FOR SIGNATURE.

Q and A:

  1. What information do I need to complete on the fingerprint application?
    1. Please complete Section 1 with the following:
      1. Metropolitan Community College as the Child Care Program (no license #)
      2. ckeveans@mccneb.edu for the email address, 2909 Edward Babe Gomez Ave, Mahoney Room #109 for physical address
      3. 531-622-4543 for the phone number
      4. Send as a PDF to Char Evans for a signature before submitting to DHHS
    2. Please complete Section 2 and sign by "applicant signature"
  2. If I have already done fingerprinting, do I need to do it again?
    1. If your fingerprints were done PRIOR to October 1, 2019, you WILL need to do them again.
    2. If your fingerprints were done AFTER October 1, 2019, you still need to complete the application and send to the address provided. This way Susan Hood will receive confirmation that you have completed the process. You do not need to redo your fingerprints, just the application.
    3. Fingerprints are good for 5 years.
  3. Do I need to do fingerprinting if I have done them for something other than working in a Child Care facility?
    1. Yes, the Department of Health and Human Services is requiring this process be done specifically for working in a child care facility.
  4. Where do I go to get fingerprinted?
    1. https://statepatrol.nebraska.gov/services/fingerprinting this site will show locations in Nebraska

Instructions For Completion of #2 DHHS Registry Check:

Students, you will receive an email (in a few days) in your MCC email account from DHHS with a link to complete the DHHS registry form online. Be sure to check your "junk" folder. Once you receive the email in your MCC email account you will complete the form ASAP. You will be billed $5.00 through your MCC account.

Contact Char Evans if you have any questions or concerns.

There are Five practicum courses:

Students may only take one practicum per quarter.

  • ECED 1221 (1.5 credit hours) - Infant
    45 clock hours

OR

  • ECED 1222 (1.5 credit hours) - Toddler
    45 clock hours
  • ECED 1240 (1.5 credit hours) - Preschool Age
    45 clock hours
  • ECED 1241 (1.5 credit hours) - School Age
    45 clock hours
  • ECED 2090 (6 credit hours) - ECED Student Teaching
    180 clock hours with age group of student's choice

OR

  • ECED 2091 (6 credit hours) - ECED Administration
    The student will be placed with the director or chief administrator of an Early Childhood Education Program, student will work in cooperation with the director on administrative tasks to accomplish the required 180-hour experience or ten-week experience.

There are prerequisites for each practicum course. These prerequisites must be completed with a grade of "C" or higher.

  • ECED 1221 Infant
    • ECED 1060 Observation, Assessment and Guidance
    • ECED 1110 Infant/Toddler Development
    • ECED 1150 Introduction to Early Childhood Education
    • ECED 1220 Prepracticum
  • ECED 1222 Toddler
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
  • ECED 1240 Preschool Age
    • ECED 1050 Expressive Arts
    • ECED 1110 Infant/Toddler Development
    • ECED 1120 Preschool Child Development
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1230 School Age Child Development
  • ECED 1241 School Age
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
  • ECED 2090 ECED Student Teaching
    • ECED 1160 Early Language and Literacy
    • ECED 2050 Children with Exceptionalities
    • ECED 2060 Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
    • ECED 1241 School Age Practicum
  • ECED 2091 ECED Administration
    • ECED 1060 Observation, Assessment and Guidance
    • ECED 2050 Children with Exceptionalities
    • ECED 2060 Early Childhood Education Curriculum Planning
    • ECED 1221 Infant Practicum
    • ECED 1222 Toddler Practicum
    • ECED 1240 Preschool Age Practicum
    • ECED 1241 School Age Practicum

If you have questions, or would like further information, please contact the appropriate practicum instructor:

Classes Instructor/Contact Information
ECED 1221
ECED 1222
ECED 1240
ECED 1241
ECED 2090
ECED 2091		 Deanna Peterson
dfpeterson1@mccneb.edu
Katie Sichendeder
kjsicheneder@mccneb.edu

To begin the application process, go to "Application and Forms."

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