Early Childhood Education Program

childcare workersEstablishing learning foundations for life.

Introduction:

Preschool and childcare center directors supervise and lead staffs, oversee daily activities, design curriculums, and prepare budgets. They are responsible for all aspects of their program. Some preschools and childcare centers are independently owned and operated. In these facilities, directors must follow the instructions and guidelines of the owner. Sometimes, directors own the facilities, so they decide how to operate them. Other preschools and childcare centers are part of a national chain or franchise. The director of a chain or franchise also must ensure that the facility meets its parent organization’s standards and regulations.

DCF Requirements

• Students can be awarded the Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) upon completion of this program and meeting all requirements. The ECPC is recognized by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Students who earn it are eligible for a DCF Staff Credential.
• This program is comprised of 120 hours of classroom instruction, 480 hours of direct work with preschool age children and includes DCF introductory child care training.
• To offer the DCF introductory child care training, courses as part of this program, approval must be obtained from the local DCF child care training coordinating agency.
• To teach the DCF introductory child care training courses, the instructor must meet the trainer requirements established by the Department of Children and Families (Chapter 65C-22.003(5) F.A.C. http://ccrain.fl-dcf.org/documents/2/470.pdf). Requirements and guidelines can be obtained through your local training coordinating agency. For more information, go to http://www.myflfamilies.com/service-programs/child-care/contacts.
• Programs offering the introductory child care courses will be required to use DCF materials and be subject to monitoring by the coordinating agencies.

Employment Outlook:

Employment of preschool and childcare workers is projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030.

Salary:

The average wage for this career in Florida is $23.63 hourly or $49,160 annually.

Completion Requirements:

The entire program is 600 hours. Students can earn a certificate at the completion of the following Occupational Completion Points (OCPs):

OCP	COURSE	HOURS
OCP A	Child Care Worker 1	150 Hours
OCP B	Child Care Worker 2	150 Hours
OCP C	Teacher Aide – Preschool	150 Hours
OCP D	Preschool Teacher	150 Hours
		Total Hours: 600

Location & Course’s Schedule:

Early Childhood Education is available at the following school (s):

LOCATION	COURSE'S SCHEDULE
Hialeah Adult Education Center	Monday - Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.Tuesday & Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Miami Coral Park Adult Education Center	Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Miami Springs Adult Education Center	Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Contact Information at the Location:

Additional information can be provided by student services:

LOCATION	COUNSELOR / REGISTRAR	PHONE NUMBER
Hialeah Adult Education Center (305) 822-1500	Maria Lopez John Miranda Gillian Carrasco	Ext. 2210 Ext. 2238 Ext. 2917
Miami Coral Park Adult Education Center (305) 226-6565	Andres Trujillo Vivian Pedroso	Ext. 2266 Ext. 2205
Miami Springs Adult Education Center (305) 698-5012	Walter Centeno

 

Source

• Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Preschool, and Childcare Center Directors, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/management/preschool-and-childcare-center-directors.htm.