People who work with young children can make a difference, said Priscilla Smith, program director of the early childhood care and education program at Gwinnett Technical College. “Research tells us that the formative years are so important in shaping what children become,” she said.
Gwinnett Tech offers a two-year associate degree that trains paraprofessionals, early childhood program managers and lead teachers in early childhood programs. The school also offers certificate of credit programs that help students enter the field as assistant teachers and child care providers.
Smith says that a growing number of students are earning nine-credit-hour certificates in early childhood care and education basics, or early childhood program administration to advance their careers or start child care businesses. The “basics” certificate gives foundational knowledge; the program administration certificate teaches the nuts and bolts of the business, including budgeting, licensing requirements and training staff.
Recently, Gwinnett Tech added an early childhood exceptionalities certificate (or degree concentration) to prepare students to work with children who have special needs.
“We’ve worked closely with the Gwinnett County public schools. School districts need and hire people trained in special-needs learning strategies,” Smith said.
There is an increasing demand for special-needs services, which is expected to grow by 17 percent through 2020, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
“Gwinnett County public schools have identified 11 different areas of special needs. Our students do practicums in different settings to help them find their niche,” she said.
While the economic downturn has impacted the profession, the outlook is promising, Smith said.
“When parents are laid off from jobs, their child care needs change. Some centers have downsized and some school systems have also cut back due to budget cuts, but the need for quality child care providers will be there,” Smith said.
Starting salaries for early childhood care professionals range from $9 to $15 an hour, Smith said.
To earn an early childhood care and education associate degree, students must complete 72 credit hours, including a full semester of internships in various settings.
“Our students spend 400 hours in the classroom and leave with a lot of hands-on experience,” Smith said.
The D. Scott Hudgens Jr. Early Education Center on Gwinnett Tech’s campus allows students to observe and practice their skills.
“Being able to take students into a real environment takes learning to a much higher level,” Smith said. “Anyone who wants to work in this field needs to understand children and how they develop.”
Another good reason to complete one of Gwinnett Tech’s early childhood care and education certificates is that it fulfills a requirement that’s coming on Dec. 1, 2012. By that date, all lead teachers and directors working at early childhood education facilities in Georgia will be required to have the national child development associate credential or a technical certificate of credit.
Tuition for Gwinnett Tech's early child care and education degree program is $1,132 for a 12-credit semester. For information about Gwinnett Tech's programs, call 770-962-7580 or go to www.gwinnetttech.edu.
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