JVS students sign paperwork agreeing to receive license
BLOOMINGDALE — Early childhood education students signed on the dotted line Oct. 4, committing to completing child development associate training during their senior year at the Jefferson County Joint Vocational School.
Instructor Rebecca Kelley explained eight seniors in her class took part in Ohio’s first statewide Health and Human Services Signing Day.
By agreeing to complete the program’s requirements, students will earn the nationally-recognized CDA credential.
Those who signed included, Leona Clutter, Claire Watkins, Kaley Joynson-Beebe, Serenity Monigold, Hannah Sherbondy, Raeni Kerr, Raelynn Woodworth and Lea Riggs.
Kelley stated this is a pathway toward career advancement in early childhood education.
“Almost all daycare facilities with a Step Up to Quality rating want an employee to have a CDA,” Kelley said. “We’ve done CDA for the last eight years, but last year was the first year for the signing.”
Students must complete 120 hours of child development education and 480 hours of working with young children to receive their CDA.
Ways to earn those hours include the program’s classes, a preschool lab where students interact with preschoolers, preparing them for kindergarten; taking a test at Belmont College; being observed by a professional development specialist and creating a portfolio to also keep track of trainings and education.
Students can earn college credit toward higher education degrees.
“We build that portfolio through their senior year and a lot of the information is pertinent to early childhood,” Kelley stated. “This is the first time all of the seniors are on track to get it.”
The training enables students to become qualified early education teachers for children ages birth to 5, and ensures they graduate high school with the skills employers are seeking.
She noted highly-trained, certified teachers are in great demand across the state and this credential could open doors to job prospects, including teacher’s aides and substitute teachers, among others. Students can obtain administrative roles in childcare and preschool programs, as well.
The Health and Human Services Signing Day was made possible by the Career Compass for Health and Human Services and is funded by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services.