Childcare Workers Can Earn College Credit for Experience at LC

GODFREY – Lewis and Clark Community College Child Development is now offering college course credit for work experience through its Prior Learning Assessment process.

Childcare workers interested in pursuing a degree or certificate can save a semester’s worth of courses by participating in an assessment centered on virtual scenarios.

The interactive assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete and can be accessed from a tablet or laptop with an internet connection. No preparation is needed. After completing the scenarios, the assessor will review the applicant’s responses and determine if they have met the competencies for the applicable courses.

Each course available for PLA is worth three credits, so applicants could earn up to 12 credit hours through the process.

“You can gain so much practical knowledge from real-world hands-on experience when working with children,” Child Development Coordinator John Phillips said. “People who have been working in the field deserve credit for the skills and competencies they have already gained. Participating in this opportunity will help them earn a credential or degree faster."

There is no cost to take part in the assessment. Applicants only pay for the courses that they demonstrate the competencies for, at a rate of $10 per credit hour ($30 per course or $120 for all four courses for those who qualify).

The following courses are available for PLA Assessment:

• CDHV 131: Intro to Child Development

  Provides an overview of early childhood care and education, including the basic values, structure, organization, and programming in early childhood. Students explore their own relationship to the early childhood field and are required to observe in a variety of settings.

• CHDV 133: Child Growth & Development

  Examines the theory and principles of the developmental continuum, including an in-depth study of physical, social/emotional, cognitive, language, and aesthetic development with an examination of current research and major developmental theories. Explores child development within a socio-cultural context, such as gender, family, race, ethnicity, language, ability, socioeconomics, religion, and society with an emphasis on the implications for early childhood professional practice. Encompasses birth through age eight and may include pre-adolescents.

• CHDV 139: Health, Safety & Nutrition

  Provides an overview of the health, safety, and nutritional needs of young children and early childhood practices to ensure the health and well-being of each child in a group setting. Includes roles and responsibilities of adults in meeting children's diverse needs; the promotion of healthy lifestyle practices; understanding common childhood illnesses and injuries; meeting health, safety, and nutrition standards; and planning nutritious meals that are appropriate for each child.

• CHDV 238: Family, School and Community Relations

  Focuses on the child in the context of family, school and community. The contemporary American family will be discussed, with emphasis on the family interactions which largely dictate the child's behavior and way of relating to people. Includes knowledge of other cultures, the diversity of lifestyles, issues of communication, and the role of the school and community as social agents within our changing society.

To get started, apply to Lewis and Clark Community College, then contact Phillips to schedule your PLA Assessment. He can be reached at jomphillips@lc.edu or (618) 468-4560.