School-Age Child Care, Specialized Diploma

Program Overview

The School-Age Child Care Specialized Diploma program prepares individuals to become qualified teachers and providers in school-age childcare centers and before/after school programs. The program covers topics such as observation and assessment, planning, interaction with families and communities, social-emotional development, management, and leadership. Upon completion, graduates are eligible for the Pennsylvania School-Age Professional Credential and can pursue careers as school-age childcare providers, after-school program coordinators, and youth program directors.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

• Overview: The School-Age Child Care Specialized Diploma program is designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge they need to become qualified teachers and school-age providers in school-age childcare centers and before/after school programs.
• Objectives:
• To prepare individuals for the Pennsylvania School-Age Professional Credential.
• To provide a comprehensive understanding of successful youth programming, including observation and assessment, planning, interaction with families and communities, social-emotional development of school-age students, management, and leadership of school-age programs, and the professional Code of Ethics and Standards for before and after school programs.
• Description: The program includes coursework covering various topics, such as observation and assessment planning, interaction with families and communities, social-emotional development of school-age students, management, and leadership of school-age programs, and professional Code of Ethics and Standards for before and after school programs.

Outline:

• Content:
• Introduction to School Age Child Care
• Society and the School Age Child
• School Age Child Care Professional
• Upon completion of this program, individuals will be prepared to pursue a variety of careers in the field of early childhood education, including:
• School-age childcare providers
• After-school program coordinators
• Youth program directors