MONTPELIER — As Vermont continues to struggle with a shortage of high-quality childcare for working families, Community College of Vermont (CCV) is offering a new way for educators to get the training they need. Beginning in spring 2019, CCV will deliver an accelerated online version of its childcare certificate program.
“There is currently high demand for qualified professionals available to work in the early childhood field in Vermont,” said Becky Millard, director of Northern Lights at CCV, the hub of the state’s early childhood professional development system. “The new accelerated format of the childcare certificate enables students to complete the certificate fully online in four semesters, providing them with the foundation they need to be successful in the early childhood workforce in a condensed time frame.”
CCV developed its new offering in response not only to the statewide workforce demand, but also to a growing trend among students. In recent semesters, early childhood education students have enrolled in accelerated online classes in higher numbers than any other program group.
Students in the accelerated program also have the option of moving directly into CCV’s early childhood education associate degree, and from there to Northern Vermont University’s online early childhood education bachelor’s degree.
The certificate program offers 24 college credits, and can be completed in as few as four semesters. CCV’s spring 2019 semester begins Jan. 22.