Childcare & Development
Drake State’s Child Care and Development Program offers current and aspiring daycare teachers and aides the ability to earn a certificate which meets minimum requirements of Alabama Head Start and Child Care Standards. Students learn to use state of the art teaching strategies to teach basic skills and concepts to children in all subjects. Teacher assistants provide instructional and clerical support for classroom teachers. They may also tutor and assist children.
Earn your childcare and development certificate
- Career Pathways & Programs
Child Care & Development Short Certificate
The Child Care and Development Short Certificate provides training in child care and development for daycare teachers, aides and others who wish to pursue careers as day care or nursery school teachers, HeadStart professionals, etc. This program allows child care workers to meet the minimum requirements of Alabama Head Start and Child Care Standards.
Program learning outcomes
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Outcome 1: Child development and learningApply knowledge of child development to create environments that are healthy, respectful, supportive, and challenging for each child.
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Outcome 2: Family and community relationshipsSupport and empower families to promote their children’s development and learning.
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Outcome 3: Observation, documentation, and assessmentDemonstrate competence in child observation, documentation, and other forms of assessment. Apply assessment strategies to positively influence the development of every child.
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Outcome 4: Developmentally effective approachesUnderstand and apply a wide array of tools to positively influence each child’s development and learning.
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Outcome 5: Meaningful curriculumDesign, implement, and evaluate experiences that promote positive development and learning for children.
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Outcome 6: ProfessionalismDemonstrate ethical and professional conduct and make informed evidence-based decisions.
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Outcome 7: EmployabilityUtilize critical thinking and work productively and with cultural sensitivity.
Scholarships
While tuition at community colleges like Drake State is relatively affordable for most, there are scholarship opportunities available to students through the ACCS Leadership in Child Care Scholarship.
- Scholarship Deadlines
- April 1 for Summer Semester
- June 1 for Fall Semester
- September 1 for Spring Semester