Child Care Provider/Assistant

Debbie Snyder

Instructor:  Debbie Snyder
Phone:  660-665-2865, ext. 7113
Email:  dsnyder@kirksville.k12.mo.us
Room:  KATC 27
Conference Period:  4th Hour (10:41 am-12:00 pm)


INSTRUCTOR BIO
Debbie Snyder began her formal education career as a preschooler in the first KATC Early Childhood Careers Preschool Lab class of 1973-74.  The Early Childhood Careers program was one of the first in Missouri to include a teaching lab and offer the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing preparation program. 

 Following graduation from Truman State University, Mrs. Snyder worked professionally with at-risk children and their families.  She has served as an Infant Teacher, a Toddler Teacher and a Preschool Teacher. Mrs. Snyder developed Kirksville R-III School District’s Infant/Toddler program as a grant/school partnership with Early Head Start to ensure student success and to provide expansion of the Early Childhood Careers program to include an Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) preparation credential.

 During Mrs. Snyder’s career she served as a Consultant and Evaluator in Afterschool/Out-of-School Time and Early Childhood grants to school districts funded by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  Today she serves as a DESE mentor to new teachers, an Instructional Leader and continues to help afterschool programs with development and evaluation.

 She is a member of MoACTE, MoEFACS, NEA and served on the Board of Directors for MoEFACS from 2014-2018.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Child Care Provider/Assistant is a 1020-hour occupational training program for students who are interested in entering the world of working with children. The program is available full-time to ADULT STUDENTS as (2) three-hour blocks or part-time as (1) three-hour block with your choice of morning or afternoon classes. Part-time students must commit to two years to be a completer.

 This is a great class to take if you are interested in being an early childhood educator, preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, Head Start teacher, elementary teacher, nanny or a teacher’s assistant.  Coursework focuses on the developmental needs of children from birth to age five and the effective ways of providing for their early care and education.  This program will prepare students for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing program and is designed for those individuals who want to “specialize” in a Preschool or Infant/Toddler setting. Students will take the CDA test through the Council for Professional Recognition at the end of the course and if awarded the credential, students can work across the United States for a higher rate of pay.  This is an entry level credential with several opportunities available for immediate work. Students spend 3 days a week in field experiences working with young children and 2 days a week in classroom instruction.

CERTIFICATE PROGRAM 
Child Care Provider/Assistant 1 & 2
In this 2 year program, students will address the development of the child from birth through age twelve.  Students receive hands-on experience working with children through field experiences three days a week. 

During the first year, the program curriculum will include the study of professional and ethical issues in child development; child growth and development; child development theories; research and best practices; child health and wellness; teaching and guiding children and special conditions affecting children. Students will solve problems based upon the developmental stages and assess the impact of quality child care on the child, family, and society. 

In the second year of the program, students will cover (CDA) coursework that focuses on the developmental needs of children from birth to age five and the effective ways of providing for their early care and education.  This program is designed for those individuals who want to “specialize” in an Early Childhood setting. With this credential, students can work across the United States for a higher rate of pay.  This is an entry level credential with many employers requiring students to continue their education at the college level.  

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