Early Childhood Educators: Learn to advance your career at CLC

On March 2, the College of Lake County Early Childhood Education program will offer a Gateways to Opportunity Launch Event to explain how students can earn state-approved early childhood credentials while earning an Associate in Applied Science degree or Administration and Leadership certificate. The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. in Room C005 (Lower Level C Wing Auditorium) on the Grayslake Campus, 19351 W. Washington St.

As a Gateways to Opportunity Entitled Institution, CLC can offer the Gateway Credential to its Early Childhood Education associate degree graduates. Gateways Credentials recognize and validate educational accomplishments of early care and education, school-age and youth development professionals. They are awarded by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) Bureau of Child Care and Development and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. These credentials, and the Gateways Registry System, are increasingly being required for positions in early care and education.

The event will feature Andrew Hand, higher education liaison from the Gateways to Opportunity Illinois Professional Development System, who will highlight the process and benefits of ECE credentials. In addition, attendees can also schedule advising appointments with faculty.

According to Diane Wolter, chair of the CLC Early Childhood Education department, early childhood educators who receive the state's Gateways to Opportunity Credentials can earn higher wages and receive better job opportunities through employer recognition or salary supplement programs. "The credential also provides evidence of professional development when students apply to college or seek employment because it demonstrates they have early childhood education knowledge and skills."

"CLC is one of a growing list of Illinois community colleges to complete rigorous self-study and curriculum enhancements that are required to offer the entitled credentials (directly to students)," Wolter said. "We invested several years to revise and update ECE course work to meet both State of Illinois Professional Teaching Standards and NAEYC Associate Degree Program Standards that align with the Gateways benchmarks for early childhood professionals."

To attend the event, please RSVP by Feb. 24 to cwelzen@clcillinois.edu. For more information, contact Diane Wolter at dwolter@clcillinois.edu. To learn more about scholarship opportunities, visit www.ilgateways.com. To learn more about CLC's program, visit www.clcillinois.edu/programs/ece.