Program Objective Code: 5364

The Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) program prepares the student who works with children 3 – 5 years old in a licensed child care setting for the National CDA Credential. For information on applying for the National CDA Credential please visit their website at www.cdacouncil.org.

The ECPC program includes the State mandated introductory childcare certification training, 120 hours of ECPC coursework, 480 hours of work experience and on-site observation in a classroom setting.

Program Description
The student will successfully complete 120 hours of formal classroom instruction in the six competency goals, a 2-hour observation during Module 3, document 480 hours of work experience and complete all other Palm Beach State College requirements. Upon completion of the program the student will be awarded a Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC).
Syllabus: Early Childhood Professional Certificate Module I
Syllabus: Early Childhood Professional Certificate Module II
Syllabus: Early Childhood Professional Certificate Module III

Click here to register for one of the upcoming Information Sessions

Admission Requirements
These requirements must be met before registering for the ECPC program.

Prerequisites:
• Change Program Objective Code
• ECPC Information Session
• 40-Hour Introductory Child Care Training Certification with 10-Hour DAP in Preschool
• 5 Hour Emergent Literacy course
• High School diploma (or equivalent) and College Application submitted to Palm Beach State College (www.palmbeachstate.edu/admissions.xml)
• TABE (9D Survey)
• Employed in a licensed childcare setting working with children 3 to 5 years old (volunteering is not accepted) 
• Must be at least 18 years of age or older
• Mastery of the English language

Change Program Objective Code to: 5364  To make this change complete the POC change form and return to the Registrar's Office where you will be attending class. If you are faxing the form, it is always a good idea to follow up by phone to make sure that it was received. http://www.palmbeachstate.edu/documents/admissions/programobjectivechange.pdf 

You may fax the form to your campus Registrar at: Belle Glade 993.1170; Boca Raton 862.4350; Lake Worth 868.3584; PBG 207.5315

Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE) (9D survey) is offered on al 4 campuses.  For hours of operation and cost please visit www.palmbeachstate.edu/testing.xml.

For more information on TABE exemption or other program requirements contact the Program coordinator at (561)868-4049.   

An official high school diploma or GED transcript must be on file at the Registrar’s Office. The transcript must show that the student graduated with a standard diploma from an accredited high school accepted by Palm Beach State College. The transcript must be received and accepted by the registrar before registering for Module I.

The following requirements must be completed by the end of Module II for students to be eligible to continue in this program and register for Module III. It is the student’s responsibility to make sure all proper documentation has been submitted:

      • Current Child Care First Aid/CPR Certification

The following requirements must be completed by the end of Module III for students to be eligible to obtain an Early Childhood Professional Certificate.

      • 480 hours documented work experience working with children ages 5 years or younger in a licensed child care setting.  
        All 480 hours must be completed while enrolled in the training program. Proof of the 480 hours of work experience must
        be notarized and documented on the Practical Experience Summary form.

Completion Requirements
Students must successfully pass all three ECPC modules with a passing grade of A, B or C and complete all additional requirements for each of the modules in order to be eligible to continue in the program. Once the student has successfully passed each module, a Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) will be awarded.

Career Path Notes
The student who has earned a Department of Education ECPC Certificate, completed 15 college credits at Palm Beach State College towards their degree and has a program objective code of 2358 (Associate in Science Degree-ECE), will be eligible for articulation into 9 college credits upon request. The credits will be for the following courses: EEC2734, EEC2271 and CHD1220.

Many programs have transfer agreements with other colleges and universities that allow students to transfer course or program credit into a four-year program. For information on transfer agreements, visit http://palmbeachstate.edu/transfer.xml.

If you hold a degree (associate, baccalaureate, or advanced) and would like to explore the possibility of exemption from ECPC coursework or the 40-Hour training, please call the DCF Child Care Training Information Center at 1-888-352-2842 or visit www.myflorida.com/childcare.

Financial Assistance Financial aid is available for many of the child care courses offered at Palm Beach State College.  Florida Children's Forum (T.E.A.C.H.) visit their web site at www.fcforum.org and/or SEEK program at www.palmbeachstate.edu/x4820.xml

For information on Staff Credential and Renewal process visit  https://training01-dcf.myflorida.com/dcf/cct/staffcred.html

Total Required Hours: 600
Program offered on all Palm Beach State College campuses.

For More Information Contact:
Kimberly Allen
PSAV Coordinator
561.868.4049
allenk@palmbeachstate.edu