Central Penn College Launches Childcare Management Courses

More than 65 percent of households with children are led by two working parents, meaning that safe, reliable childcare is a serious and growing need.

Central Penn College is helping to meet the needs of working parents and those who want to work with children at a childcare facility, summer camp, preschool, kindergarten, or home. The 141-year-old college will be offering a certificate in childcare management, along with an associate degree.

Students will learn how to effectively contribute to the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of newborns, toddlers, and young children. They will also gain practical knowledge in the business aspects of childcare, including finances, personnel, insurance, information technology, marketing, ethics, and more.

For the certificate, students are required to complete six three-credit courses, which can be done in as little as nine months. Students will then gain the most relevant, contemporary tools to work immediately at a daycare, preschool, summer camp, or home setting as a full or part-time nanny.

The Certificate in Child Care Management introduces students to child development, childcare regulatory structure, and best business practices. Courses are designed to heighten a student’s appreciation for age-appropriate developmental milestones and the resolution of real-world problems. Childcare managers will understand the implications of workplace diversity and organizational change and corporate culture, while tapping into critical thinking, problem-solving, research and outreach methods. 

They will also learn how to build an enriching curriculum geared to the physical, social, emotional and intellectual readiness of each child; acquire the skills to assess the developmental needs of each individual child; develop techniques to improve communication skills and build an inclusive child-centered environment; and categorize and demonstrate an understanding of how leadership decisions impact the workforce, work flow, and financial stability.

Classes begin in September at Central Penn and will be offered both online and in-person. Applications are being accepted now at www.centralpenn.edu.