Careers in Caring for Children
Is it for you? Do you ...Enjoy interacting with children and families on a daily basis? Want to have a positive impact on the future? Feel that children learn best in a loving, nurturing environment? A career in caring has many benefits and opportunities! You can ... Be a positive role model for children Work in an environment where children learn through play Be part of a fast growing industry Own you own business See the results of your hard work and dedication in the growth and development of the children in your care Two career paths for Child Care Professionals 1. Child Care Center
Work with families and center staff as an:
Working in a child care center is a great way to enter the field of early care and education. Thanks to Smart Start funding, a lot of support is available to both center and home based providers. Call us for more information - (910)938-0336. 2. Family Child Care Home A Family Child Care is a licensed child care arrangement in a residence where care is offered to no more than 8 children at any given time. Family child care home providers enjoy the benefit of business ownership and the convenience of working from their home. The arrangements often offer parents flexibility with the comfort of a home environment for their children. You Will Need: To be at least 21 years of age Child care room on a ground floor level A high school diploma or GED A home occupations or zoning permit A fire inspection(RECOMMENDED) A criminal background check and fingerprint card A TB test within past 12 months CPR and First Aid within past 12 months Proof of rabies vaccinations for pets Pass the State inspection NCGS 110-91(8) & 110-90.2; Child Care Rule .1702(c), (I), (b), (d), (e), .2701& .2702(g); Local Ordinance |
The first five years of life are critical to brain architecture. Research is clear, when children have access to high quality child care, they are better prepared for success. North Carolina is a leader in our nation for implementing strategies based on what we have learned about brain development. Hundreds of studies have been conducted. Read more about studies on child care quality by searching peer reviewed journals on Google Scholar, http://scholar.google.com. Now, more than ever before, we understand how important child care professionals are to the future prosperity of our communities. Want to make a big difference for the future? Consider a career in caring for children. Here's some information on how to get started:
Individuals interested in seeking education in early child care can contact the following learning institutions:
Coastal Carolina Community College:
www.coastalcarolina.edu
444 Western Blvd.
Jacksonville, NC 28546
910-455-122
- Early Childhood Associate Degree
James Sprunt Community College
www.jamessprunt.edu
133 James Sprunt Drive
Kenansville, NC 28349
910-296-2400
- Early Childhood Education
- Early Childhood Education Teacher Associate Degree
Mt. Olive College
www.moc.edu
919-658-2502 or 800-653-0854
- BA in Early Childhood Education
UNC Wilmington
www.uncw.edu
601 South College Road
Wilmington, NC 28403
(910) 962-3366
- BA in Education of Young Children
Funding Your Education
College Foundation of North Carolina
Foundation of the Carolinas
Scholarships are available from the Golden Leaf Foundation to students from qualifying counties, who demonstrate financial need, to help them attend attend college at participating North Carolina public or private institutions or community colleges. Click here for the list of participating colleges and universities. High school seniors or community college transfer students planning to attend any of the participating colleges or universities who reside in a qualifying county and demonstrate financial need. Visit CFNC.org/goldenleafto fill out the application form or call 866-866-CFNC for assistance. Deadline: March 1, 2012.
NC Association for the Education of Young Children
NC Community Foundations
Community foundations are nonprofit organizations established to meet the current and future needs of our local communities. Many provide scholarships to support individual education needs. Each scholarship has different eligibility criteria and a different application process. Please review the criteria carefully.
- NC Community Foundations List
- NC Community Foundations Searchable Map
- Example: Triangle Community Foundation
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarships - The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Project offers educational scholarships to Early Educators. All T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® scholarships link continuing education with increased compensation and require that recipients and their sponsoring child care programs share in the cost.26 As of 2009, educational scholarships were provided in 22 and DC states including the Project’s home state, North Carolina.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Project Materials:
- Annual Report 2010-2011
- Program Description
- Program Grid (Scholarship Options)
- Information Request Form
- Quick Start FAQ
- Applications:
Have you decided?
If a career in caring for children is right for you, we’re here to help!
Whether you decide to open a Family Child Care Business in your home, open a Child Care Center, or work in an existing program, the Onslow County Partnership for Children can help you get started. If you would like to embark on the exciting world of business ownership, we can help you:
- Navigate the state and local licensing requirements to get your child care business up and running.
- Enter the field of caring for and educating children in existing licensed child care programs.
- Inform you about resources, training opportunities and educational scholarships.
For more information call:
LaWanna Wooden
Workforce and Industry Development Coordinator
Phone: (910) 938-3496
Email: lawanna.wooden@onslowkids.org
