Certificate in Child Day Care

A certificate in child day care is geared towards providing students with the skills that would help them look after children in professional or home settings. Both traditional and online schools offer programs in this area and help learners grasp the essentials of caring for children in an effective manner. Earning a certificate in this field can be useful for those who want to find career opportunities that deal with formative years of children.

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Certificate in Child Day Care

A certificate in child day care generally lasts for 6 months. The enrollment status of the students may determine the program duration, that can be shorter or longer. Students will learn about the various stages of the physical and social development of children, as well early education techniques. Graduates may potentially become childcare center providers, preschool teachers or nannies.

Program Coursework

Students in the certificate program in child day care will cover various dealing with the mental development stages of children. They will also be instructed in the teaching and caring methods for each stage. Some of the topics may include child development, childhood nutrition, safety and first aid and child abuse recognition and reporting. Classes are also available in teaching young children, care center administration and communication. Some certificate programs may also provide students with hands-on training where students get a chance to learn under the supervision of experienced childcare workers.

Online Certificate in Child Day Care

In addition to schools, some online institutes also offer child day care certificate courses. The program content is same as in the traditional certificate programs in child day care, but the method of delivery is not similar. Unlike traditional certificate courses, students participate in online courses with the help of the internet and learning technologies.

The online certificate courses in child day care can be suitable for those who are already working and want to get into the field of child care. These programs allow students to study at their individual routines and from any location. Compared to the traditional certificate programs, the online courses are also more affordable as they save travel cost as well.

Career Prospects

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment of childcare workers is projected to grow 14% from 2012 to 2022, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Parents will increasingly need the services of these workers during working hours.

As the demand for child care workers is expected to increase, earning a certificate in this area of study can help students qualify to become child care workers and find suitable opportunities. Many child care workers are self-employed while other work with schools, hospitals and other settings. These workers generally have to work long hours. According to the BLS, the median hourly wage for childcare workers in 2012 was $9.38.

Advancement

Students who earn a child day care certificate may apply for the Child Development Associate certification. They can also work towards an associate or bachelor’s program and advance their knowledge in early childhood education that would help them qualify for senior-level positions.