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PA Department of Labor High Priority Occupation!The demand for early childcare professionals with professional degrees and industry-recognized credentials is growing rapidly. Being good with kids can turn into a career in the Early Childhood Care & Education program, which prepares students to earn their Child Development Associate (CDA) national credential.
Program Concentrations:
- Learning environment
- Child development
- Standards, curriculum and assessment
- Learning Activities
Career Options:Employment as an aide in a child care center or as a family child caregiver requires a high school diploma and two years experience working with children. Students in this program graduate with enough experience to become an assistant group supervisor — one step above an aide.With further college education, positions include teachers, child care center directors, child care referral agents and licensing specialists.

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Child Development Associate (CDA-Ready)CPR/First Aid CertificatePennsylvania Skills CertificateOpen Dual Enrollment CreditsDelaware County Community CollegeSOAR CreditsHarcum CollegeManor CollegeMontgomery County Community CollegePennsylvania College of TechnologyReading Area Community College1:1 Articulation CreditsHarcum CollegeClick here for more information on opportunities to earn college credit.Upperclassmen may be hired at local companies, such as: ABC Early Learning Center, Stepping Stone Education Center, Phoenixville YMCA and Ducklings Learning Center. Co-ops allow students to work during their school day, earn real-world experience and build their resumes.The Department of Education provides a CIP Code to approved Programs of Study (POS). Schools and postsecondary institutions use the CIP code to categorize the POS, outline the scope and sequence of educational offerings and develop a POS task list. Click here to review the task list.