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Child Care Specialist
Course Outline

Program Overview

The Child Care Specialist program prepares students to serve as teacher’s aides and lead teachers in a variety of childcare facilities that serve infants, toddlers, and pre-school-age children.  Core concepts to be addressed include the developmental stages (physical, social, intellectual, and emotional) of infants, toddlers, and pre-school-aged children; legal and ethical considerations in child care; observing and recording children’s behavior, and building relationships with the children’s families and the community at large.

*Students in this program are eligible for the Kansas Promise Act Scholarship.

Degree and Certificate Options

Associate of Applied Science (or Technical Certificate)

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Child Care Specialist program, students will be able to:

  • Plan a safe and healthy learning environment for infants, toddlers, and pre-school-aged children
  • Advance children’s physical development
  • Advance children’s intellectual development
  • Advance children’s social development
  • Advance children’s emotional development
  • Implement strategies for building relationships with families and communities
  • Observe and record children’s behavior
  • Abide by principles of ethical conduct and professionalism, following local, state, and federal laws pertaining to child care.

Career Outcomes in
Child Care Specialist

Projected Salary
$25,000– $35,000 per year

Job Placement

New program since 2022.

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Estimated Costs

Download the Estimated Program Costs Worksheet

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Schedule Tour

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Faculty

View the program faculty

Faculty & Advisors

Tara Neitzel-Simmonds

Tara Neitzel-Simmonds
Child Care Specialist Instructor

tara.neitzel-simmonds@fhnw.edu

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Admissions Checklist

Below is a list of items Fort Hays Tech | Northwest’s Admissions Team will need prior to your acceptance into the Automotive Technology program.

  • A Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Application Completed and Submitted

  • High School or GED Transcript Submitted

  • (If Applicable) College Transcript Submitted

  • ACT or AccuPlacer Scores Submitted (AccuPlacer Testing can be scheduled on-site at the Northwest Tech campus)

Required items can be submitted in person at the Fort Hays Tech | Northwest campus, Via postal mail addressed to:
Fort Hays Tech | Northwest Admissions,1209 Harrison, Goodland, KS or through email communications with admissions@fhnw.edu.