In general, daycare providers must be capable of teaching and taking care of children. It is their duty to watch over the children while parents are out for work. To be able to perform their obligation, daycare providers must have the education and training for daycare. The states of America have established rules and regulations regarding the licensing of daycare centers. Though the country may have rules already, daycare providers must also abide on the general provisions stipulated in the licensing standards requirements of each state.
Education and training for daycare providers are required for every position available in daycare centers, particularly on the center director (which is usually the daycare owner/provider), lead teachers or head caregivers, and teachers or caregivers. By reading the state’s rules, the daycare provider will know what are the education and training necessary to be able to have a license.
In relation to the daycare education and training, every state of America obliges daycare providers as well as its staff to obtain Cardio-Pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and First Aid. Normally these trainings are included in coursework in colleges, universities, and organizations that are allowed to give daycare education and training or they are being provided by the state.
Classes offered through the State
In the state of Pennsylvania, degree courses associated with childhood education offered by different universities and colleges are comparable to those offered by other states of America. Establishing a career in the daycare or childcare industry can be easier if the individual would take up courses like childhood education, childhood education, and other early child courses.
On the other hand, the state of Pennsylvania recognizes closely related childhood courses, which means those who took up a different course can be given a chance to work in a daycare center given that the credits of the subjects are alike.
The classes included in the coursework of childcare courses include Child Care Laws, Child Growth and Development, Family and Community Relations, Nutrition and Health, Psychology, and Small Business Management are the most common classes for a childcare degree. Furthermore, basic education classes are as important as the ones above; thus, they should be taken up as well.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
United States of America accepts three certificates and credentials on early childhood education. Certifications with trainings depend on what the state requires. In the case of the state of Pennsylvania, they require additional trainings on all daycare staffs. This will be elaborated in the succeeding sections.
As stated above, there are usually three certificates and credentials that is accepted in every state of America; this include the Child Development Associate (CDA), Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), and the National Administrator Credential (NAC). These certificates are only given to those who have completed the classes.
The CDA credential is given to those who have accomplished several requirements which is composed of 120 hours of training as stated by the Council for Professional Recognition, and who have effectively passed the verification visit to work with Infants/Toddlers or Preschoolers. This is required for entry-level credential for daycare providers. Moreover, CDAs must work with parents and children and should be proficient in 17 Functional Areas as set forth by the Council for Professional Recognition. T.E.A.C.H scholarship program is being supported by the state of Pennsylvania.
Another credential accepted in the state of Pennsylvania is the CCP. This credential enhances teaching skills and the individual’s proficiency. CCP are recommended for those teachers who did not finish their degree as well as to those who have taken up a different field.
The National Administrator Credential is developed for center directors and other childcare professionals. NAC is considered as the symbol of excellence that defines persons who have showed the knowledge important in managing a childcare center. Through NAC, participants will learn on development of the organization and program, implement suitable curriculum and food programs, institute marketing and communication initiatives, manage people, including legal issues, staff recruitment and supervision, maintain the facility, understand legal and regulatory issues, and create strong financial management systems.
There are several state departments that deal with family and children welfare. These departments guarantees and sustains the kind of foster care given to the children and family by enhancing skills and abilities of the people responsible in providing care whether residential or day care centers.
Cost of the Classes
The average yearly tuition fee in the state of Pennsylvania ranges from $4,000 to $40,000. Hence, the tuition rate is affected by some factors including type of school (whether public or private, vocational or non-vocational), location of the school, and the degree you are currently enrolled.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
Daycare providers should take up classes that are offered by the state. Mentioned earlier are the courses early childhood education, childhood development, and the like are and can be accepted by the state as long as the working experience and credit hours are successfully met by daycare providers.
Education and Training Requirements for Daycare Director
Daycare director must age not less than 21 years old. The following requirements (at least one) should be met by the director:
- Attained a Bachelor degree from recognized college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 1 year work experience with children.
- Attained a bachelor’s degree from recognized college or university, together with 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 2 years of work experience with children.
- Attained an associate’s degree from a recognized college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of work experience with children.
- Attained an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 4 years of work experience with children.
For Head Supervisor:
Head supervisors should not age below 18 years old and any of the following requirements must be satisfied as well: A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field.
- Attained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university, with 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of work experience with children.
- Attained an associate’s degree from a recognized college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 2 years of work experience with children.
- Attained an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, plus 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, and elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of work experience with children.
For Assistant Supervisor:
Similar to head supervisors, assistant supervisors should be 18 years old and shall satisfy the following requirements:
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate, including 600 or more hours of secondary training described in state’s licensing rules (relating to age and training).
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate, 15 credit hours from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of experience with children.
- A high school diploma or a general education development certificate and completion of a post-secondary training curriculum described in Pennsylvania licensing rules.
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate and 2 years of experience with children.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
For questions, inquiries, and other concerns, daycare providers can contact state departments in Pennsylvania. Provided here are list of numbers:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Office of Child Development
Bureau of Certification Services
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Phone: (717) 346-9320
Toll Free:
(877) 4-PA-KIDS
(877-472-5437, within State)
Fax: (717) 346-9330
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA, 17126-0333
Phone: (717) 787-7489
Fax: (717) 783-8230
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Pennsylvania Child Care Association
2300 Vartan Way, Suite 103
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 657-9000
Fax: (717) 657-0959
