The Georgia Center's Expanding Role in Child Care Provider Training

Comprehensive Child Caregiver Program

"The first level is basic and introductory. It consists of seven units ranging from 'Ages and Stages' to 'Child Abuse and Neglect,' " says Karen Shetterley, child development program specialist at the Georgia Center. Each unit consists of several parts with one being activities to complete with children, other care providers, or parents. This interaction and observation is important because as Shetterley says, "one of the best ways to learn about children is to watch somebody else who's good."

"At the second level, curriculum topics include first aid, food and nutrition, and fire safety. The third level presents professional development topics, such as getting the family involved and caring for sick children," Shetterley says. "Each level is designed to translate sound child development theory into everyday, practical information for the care provider." This program was developed by child development professionals at The University of Georgia through funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. It began in the late 1980s and the curriculum and texts are updated regularly.

"When you consider this educational requirement from the practitioner's point of view," she says, "you want this to count toward accreditation or something. That way, it's much more motivating to continue to grow and learn in the child care field and makes it worthwhile. Their efforts may be rewarded with financial compensation and professional recognition, and they could be eligible for further professional development opportunities or grants for tuition assistance," Shetterley says.

Georgia Child Care Council and Licensing Standards

"This committee is for anyone interested in child care of any type. Because of the diversity of the group, a Collaborative Leadership Team was selected to serve as a decision-making body," Shetterley says. "Their input will go into the final professional development plan for Child Care Providers in Georgia."

"It's a unique group with lots of collaboration," says Shetterley. "This committee represents educational associations, state government departments, businesses and parents who want to set standards for professional positions and career advancement pathways for child care practitioners. The more trained and educated the child care providers, the better the quality of child care," she says.

The licensing standards for child care that are now in place are rendered by Georgia's Department of Human Resources Child Licensing Division, but, according to Shetterley, they are only minimal. "Current standards require 10 hours of training per year for each child care provider," she says.

"The Georgia Child Care Council can help child care centers improve the quality of their centers. Developing requests for proposals, or RFPs, is one of the responsibilities assigned to the Council," she says. "Grants are open to anyone wanting to improve their facility or provide additional slots in centers for children."

For more information about the Comprehensive Child Caregiver Program or other Georgia Center efforts in child care, contact Karen Shetterley, child care program specialist, Family and Consumer Sciences Program Section, Georgia Center for Continuing Education, The University of Georgia, Athens, Ga. 30602-3603, 706-542-5654. Or send e-mail to shetterlyk@gactr.uga.edu