Child Care - Individuals with Disabilities

Location(s): Dundalk

Program Description

A lead teacher in a preschool or day care setting is responsible for the academic and social-emotional growth and development of children in their care, who are usually toddler and preschool aged children. Lead teachers work with parents, administrators, and other teachers to improve students’ experience and meet teaching objectives. Additionally, lead teachers plan, evaluate, and improve the physical environment of the classroom to create opportunities that meet the changing needs of the developing child.

This program prepares students with learning differences or disabilities for work as lead teacher or assistant in a day care or preschool. Students learn the theories of human development and physical growth along with family and diversity issues. Topics include applying theory to practical situations, major development in physical and psychological growth, and developmentally appropriate practice. Students will learn how to develop a unit plan, develop a lesson plan, create an effective classroom environment, and understand the cognitive and behavioral differences in stages of early childhood. This track provides instruction that is multisensory, multimodal, personalized, and incorporates elements of universal design for learning. Classes are taught with a low student-teacher ratio to better meet the needs of individual learners.

Students entering this program should have a desire to work with young children, strong verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and be able to give and take direction well.

Lead teacher jobs can be found with for-profit and non-profit organizations. Additional career information may be found in Career Coach: https://ccbcmd.lightcastcc.com/.

Program Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this Continuing Education Workforce Certificate, students will be able to:

1. prepare to become a lead teacher in a day care setting,
2. meet the eligibility requirements for 90-hour Maryland certification, and
3. teach curriculum using methods designed for special learners.

Program Credentials

CCBC Credential: Students will earn a CCBC Workforce Certificate and have access to a Continuing Education academic record (transcript).

Certifying Organization: Maryland State Department of Education (Maryland State 99 Childcare Certification), www.marylandpublicschools.org

External Credential: First Aid/CPR Certifications

Certifying Organization: American Red Cross (https://www.redcross.org/)

Financial Aid and Payment Options

We offer financial aid by packaging public and private funding options to those who qualify, in select Continuing Education courses and programs. Additional opportunities for financial support include partial payment options through Nelnet Business Solutions and tuition waivers for those who qualify. Resources outside of CCBC may also be available through employer/sponsor paid tuition, the Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), and your local office of workforce development.

Some CE Workforce Development Certificate Programs are eligible for early high school funding through Maryland Blueprint for qualifying BCPS high school students. Please check with your School Counseling Office to determine your eligibility for the BCPS Tuition Benefit Program.

Length of Training

30 weeks

Courses start in August at CCBC Dundalk.

Program Requirements

6th Grade Reading Level - according to an assessment that will be administered during an intake interview, and the ability to lift 50 lbs.

Prior Learning Assessment

This program has potential options for waiving select courses based on previous coursework or articulated coursework from an approved curriculum. A maximum of 134 program hours may be earned from prior learning.

Application Process

To apply, go to www.ccbcmd.edu/apply and complete the CCBC Non-Credit Workforce Training Certificate application. An email will then be sent with program information and any additional requirements necessary to apply for the program.

Selective Entry – Please call 443-840-3262 to schedule an interview and assessment.

Program Course Sequence

Course Number	Course Title	Course Hours	Textbook Information (approximate cost; subject to change)	Costs T=Tuition/F=Fees
CCT580	Growth and Development in Early Childhood	45	Materials included in course cost	$744 T-$90/F-$654
CHI073	Single Step Childcare Internship I	90	None	$1,430 T-$200/F-$1,230
CHI074	Single Step Childcare Internship II	90	None	$1,430 T-$200/F-$1,230
CCT584	Early Childhood Methods and Materials	45	Materials included in course cost	$744 T-$90/F-$654
CHA050	Skills and Concepts for Employment	44	Materials included in course cost	$689 T-$85/F-$604
CHI070	Communication for Childcare Workers	9	Materials included in course cost	$165 T-$35/F-$130
*Course Series Totals:*		323		$5,202 T-$700/F-$4,502

Career Coach

Research your career interests, explore live job postings, take a career assessment, discover which companies in the Baltimore region are hiring, and more. View a brief tutorial video on how to use Career Coach at https://youtu.be/C7KpznbPYfA. Explore career and training opportunities at https://ccbcmd.emsicc.com/.

Program Contact Information