Early Child Education

Childcare Worker

A Child Care Worker is responsible for maintaining a safe and fun environment for young children to preteens. Their duties include coming up with creative and educational activities, assisting with stimulating and age-appropriate games and tasks, accompanying younger children to social events, preparing and serving snacks to children, and maintaining a clean environment for the children. Child Care Workers are responsible for the well-being of the children under their care. They must monitor the children all day to ensure that they play and interact with one another in a safe and appropriate manner.

Entrance Requirements:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• A qualification in childcare, child development, or childhood education may be required.
• Knowledge of the stages of childhood development.
• Good communication skills to report on the child’s individual needs/performance/development to superiors or parents.
• Physical energy to keep after children all day.
• First aid training is strongly preferred.
• Driver’s license.
• Clean criminal record/background check.
• Good references.

Child Development Associate (CDA) – FREE Training Program

The CDA is a credential that early childhood educators can earn to demonstrate certain competencies and, in turn, can help them advance their careers. Our CDA educators know how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children. This 120-hour part-time program prepares working Childcare Professionals to apply for Child Development Associate (CDA) certification. For more information, please visit cdacouncil.org.

Entrance Requirements

• Employed as a Child Care Worker or Family Provider in a Keystone Stars childcare setting to qualify for the costs of the CDA credentialing process.
• Work in a center that is licensed and in good standing with DHS.
• Able to provide recent PA Child Abuse, PA State Criminal Background Check, FBI Clearances.
• High School Diploma or High School Equivalency.
• Reliable computer or tablet with Internet access to access Zoom meetings and complete assignments

Fill out the interest form below to be placed on our waiting list for upcoming CDA Cohorts.

CDA to Associate Degree Registered Apprenticeship

Are you currently employed as a Child Care Worker? Would you like to advance to a Child Care Teacher? You can earn an associate degree in early childhood education. This program allows you to be an apprentice at your current employer, earn college credits for work experience, and take classes at the Community College of Philadelphia. Your employer must agree to participate.

In our ECE Apprenticeship Partnership you will receive:

• 4,000 hours on the job training at your current childcare center
• Related technical instruction to obtain an Associate’s Degree

ECE Registered Apprenticeship Program

A Registered Apprenticeship is work-based career pathway that provides individuals with an earn-while-you learn approach.

It includes:

• Paid Job: Earn a wage from day one
• Education: Gain knowledge with structured learning and on-the-job training
• Credentials: Enhance your resume with industry recognized credentials

The care economy is the fastest growing economy as the demand for early childhood education is increasing throughout the country.

Occupations such as Family Childcare Provider, Early Childhood Educator, Child Development Specialist, and more will increase by almost 20% in the coming years. These jobs are vitally important to the health of our society and economy. While care jobs are a growing occupational sector, most care work cannot be outsourced or automated, it is imperative that these jobs attract and retain highly skilled workers. The District 1199C Training & Upgrading Fund can help prepare you for many different care economy careers.

ECE Apprenticeable Occupations

• Early Childhood Educator
• Teacher Assistants
• Lead Teacher
• Social Worker
• Behavioral Health
• Family Child Care Provider
• And More…