Credential Courses
School Age Care Credential (SAC)
The New York State School-Age Care (SAC) Credential is an in-depth study of competency standards that reflect best practices in after-school programs.
It is designed to promote specific standards, training, and evaluation of afterschool professionals to improve the quality of services provided to children and families.
This Child Care Council of Nassau, Inc. is a Host Agency for the Long Island Region which offers the SAC Credential course work to school age professionals who work with school age children on Long Island.
Host Agencies are required to instruct Candidates so that they are prepared to achieve the New York State School-Age Care Competency Standards:
• Skill Area 1: Professionalism
• Skill Area 2: Child Development
• Skill Area 3: Safety
• Skill Area 4: Health
• Skill Area 5: Self
• Skill Area 6: Guidance
• Skill Area 7: Out-of-School Environments
• Skill Area 8: Creative
• Skill Area 9: Physical
• Skill Area 10: Cognitive
• Skill Area 11: Communication
• Skill Area 12: Social & Emotional Development
• Skill Area 13: Families
• Skill Area 14: Operational Program Management
Course work in a structured program generally takes place over two semesters. Class members typically meet weekly for 3-4 hours, over the course of 12-16 weeks per semester for a total of 72 hours of coursework.
For more information on the SAC Credentialing process, contact Alissa Repetti, Early Childhood and School Age Manager at arepetti@childcarenassau.org or call 516-358-9250 Ext. 131
Intensive Technical Assistance For CDA Portfolio Support
The Child Care Council of Nassau provides free Technical Assistance to any provider who needs support in building their CDA Portfolio.
We offer one on one sessions, where candidates are supported in building and organizing their Portfolio/Resource Collection items, and Competency statements.
For more information regarding the CDA Credentialing process or Technical Assistance, contact Alissa Repetti, Early Childhood and School Age Manager at arepetti@childcarenassau.org or call 516-358-9250 Ext. 131
Child Development Associate (CDA)
The Council for Professional Recognition administers the CDA credential as part of a major national effort to improve the quality of child care. Focusing on the skills of the adults working with young children in child care settings, the program is designed to provide competency based education and assessment leading to a CDA credential.
CDA Candidate Eligibility Requirements:
Candidates seeking to apply for CDA in any of the three settings (center-based, family child care, and home visitor) must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be 18 years of age or older
- Hold a high school diploma or GED
- Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past three years
- Have 120 clock hours of formal child care education
Candidates applying for a Bilingual Endorsement must meet the above requirements and be able to speak, read, and write well enough in both English and another language to understand and be understood by both children and adults. All Candidates must also be able to identify an appropriate setting where they can be observed working as the lead caregiver. For more detailed information please visit the Council for Professional Recognition CDA website here.
Child Care Council of Nassau offers a CDA Preparation Course:
This course provides the 120 hours of education required to apply to receive a CDA. Individuals interested in enrolling in a CDA Course must be currently working with young children (6 weeks -5 years) in a group setting OR provide documentation of (a minimum of 12 hours each week) paid or volunteer work during the course.
CDA Renewal:
A CDA Credential is valid for three years from the award date. Please visit How to Renew Your CDA here for more information about renewal criteria. The purpose of the CDA renewal is to ensure that Child Development Associates are maintaining current knowledge and skills in their work with young children and families. Renewal of CDA Credential requires 45 hours of continuing education units (CEUs). Council also offers online E-Learning opportunities to gain CDA renewal credits. Child Care Council of Nassau offers CEUs for our workshops (unless otherwise noted) for an additional fee.
SUNY Empire State College/Early Childhood Education Studies:
Empire State College offers coursework that prepares you to work in the early child care and education profession, such as child care programs, infant/toddler and nursery school settings, pre-K and Head Start. Your individually designed degree program may be an associate or a bachelor's degree, or both. You develop a concentration in early childhood or a related field. Empire State College offers the flexibility a child care provider needs. You can choose from a variety of opportunities at the college including study groups, online courses, and guided independent study. Visit Empire State College's website for more information here.
Empire State College does not offer undergraduate teacher certification programs to teach in public schools. To find out about the teaching certification requirements go to www.nysed.gov.
NYSAEYC CREDENTIAL COURSES
NY State Association for the Education of Young Children (NYSAEYC) administers the following credential programs:
- Children's Program Administrator Credential
- Infant Toddler Care & Education Credential
- Early Learning Trainer Credential
- Family Child Care Credential
Visit the NYSAEYC website for more information here.