Early Childhood Professional
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The Early Childhood Professional Center of Excellence prepares you to pursue a two- or four-year degree or work with children ages’ birth to ten years old as a teacher, care giver, teacher assistant or at a private or home day care centers.
If you have a nurturing spirit and like working with small children, a career in early childhood development is for you.
This Center of Excellence program is for juniors and seniors interested in learning more about careers in the early childhood development industry.
Credit hours
You can earn up to 15 hours of college credit at MCC-Penn Valley. You can earn your associate’s degree at the Francis Institute, a technical assistance, education and training center for early childhood and afterschool providers.
What you’ll learn.
You will learn about careers in early childhood; health, safety and nutrition; child development observation; child growth and development; curriculum and instruction; behavior management; working and communicating with families; managing and maintaining early childhood programs; child care laws, regulations and policies; and professional and leadership development.
The Child Development Center adjacent to the Early Childhood Professional classroom provides daily, on-site training. You’ll also have the opportunity to apply the skills you learn and observe children in other day care centers and public school programs. There’s also an opportunity to participate in volunteer internships.
Second year students may participate in a “special topics” course at that includes paid internships and the option to complete requirements to apply for the Child Development Associate Credential.
Schedule
One-year program with an option for a second-year with instructor approval
You’ll take classes at
Herndon Career Center
11501 E. 350 Highway
Raytown, MO 64138
Prerequisites
Minimum 2.5 GPA
90% attendance
Reading, writing and math at 10th grade level
Biology I with C or better
B or better in Child Development and Parenting classes (Courses in health, nutrition and psychology are recommended)
TB test and physical examination
Background check
Other requirements
You must provide your own transportation to and from assigned locations; complete a TB test and physical examination prior to participating at day care centers or preschools; pay a $30 fee for materials, services and lamination; agree to a background check upon enrollment and provide additional minimal supplies as needed.
Demand and Pay
Below are wages and expected employment growth according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration’s O*NET career exploration and job analysis tool.
Elementary School Teacher (bachelor's or higher)
Median wages: $50,950
Number of people already in the industry: 226,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 102,900
Teacher Assistants (associate’s or higher)
Median wages: $22,820 annual
Number of people already in the industry: 1,313,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 412,700
Child Care Workers (associate’s or higher)
Median wages: $9.25 hourly, $19,240 annual
Number of people already in the industry: 1,302,000
Projected job openings (2008-2018): 523,100
Skills, character and physical traits of successful people in this career:
- Desire to nurture, motivate, teach and influence young children in positive ways
- Mature judgment and composure
- Good problem-solving skills
- Ability to stand or be on one’s feet for long periods of time and to stoop and bend to lift
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Outgoing personality
- Flexible
- Ability to communicate verbally with children, parents and co-workers
To apply
Contact your high school counseling office to complete an application, student contract and student essay of interest.
Your school will determine if you meet the program criteria. If you do not, but your counselor or principal feel you can
be successful in the program, they can recommend you.
