This course of study is provided for persons preparing for or employed in the field of early childhood care.

The student will work with young children in a childcare setting, observing, overseeing, interacting, and teaching, which includes setting up curriculum and activities. The student is aware of and attends to the physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs of the individual child.

The Day Care/Child Care Center Director supervises and oversees the training of caregivers, may work directly with children, and works with budgeting and financing. The director knows the minimum standards to remain in compliance with state licensing practices. The director works with parents and oversees the food program and curriculum.

The Child Care Director/Quality Caregiver can perform the duties of a caregiver and director. In addition, the caregiver may go into the home of children, develop programs to educate parents with parenting skills and other life skills, assess families and individual children, train caregivers, and demonstrate child care center equipment.

All applicants must submit to a Criminal Background check and a copy of their driver's license.  If required, state & national criminal history record check.  If required by the county health department, students must have/submit results from a TB skin test. A minimum grade of 'C' must be earned in all courses on the Recommended Program of Study.

A graduate of the two-year instructional program is awarded the Associate of Applied Science Degree.