Gateway to Offer School Age Childcare Certificate

Gateway Community & Technical College is implementing a new school age childcare certificate program, beginning in the spring semester of 2010.

The program includes credit-bearing courses (15 college credit hours) for individuals wishing to pursue a career working with schoolchildren, ages 5-through-12, in group-settings such as before-and-after school care, full-day school vacation programs and summer camps.

The required five courses focus on child development, positive guidance, developmentally appropriate practice and the specific needs and interests of school-age children.

The school-age certificate required courses are embedded within the Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education program offered at Gateway.

It is a great starting point for individuals desiring to work with school-age children, currently working with school age children or continuing to advance their level of education.

It is possible to complete the certificate in one or two semesters. However, if a potential student has a current child development associate credential, they can receive articulated credit for nine credit hours, and need only three classes to complete the certificate. It is also possible to complete this entire credential online.

For more information, please contact Dr. Susan Santos, Division of Arts, Humanities amp; Social Science chair, at (859) 442-4165.