Partnership Seeks Participants for Free Child Care Academy

Partnership Seeks Participants for Free Child Care Academy
Johnston County — The Partnership for Children of
Johnston County is now accepting participants for its Child
Care Academy this fall. The program provides free,
comprehensive training and support to individuals
interested in pursuing a career in child care. Participants
will complete all required training sessions, fingerprinting,
and a background check. The program also includes
professionalism training, interview practice,
classroom observations, and the creation of a
professional portfolio. The Child Care Academy is
designed for individuals with little to no prior
experience working in a licensed child care facility,
who will qualify as Teacher Assistants upon
completing the program. The program will run from October 6 th to 24 th , meeting five days a week
from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.
Jennifer Casillas, Program Director for Kids ‘R’ Kids Clayton, says she has struggled to hire
qualified teachers who truly understand the demands of the field. “The Child Care Academy
helps to remove hiring obstacles for directors and lays the groundwork for the graduates,
allowing them to enter the workforce well-equipped for success.” Kids ‘R’ Kids has hired four
educators from the program, describing the Academy as, “an essential resource that strengthens
the early childhood education workforce and benefits both teachers and the young children they
serve.” The program has already graduated 26 participants, with over half employed in local
child care facilities and another four pursuing higher education.
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be at least 18 years old, residents of Johnston
County, possess a valid North Carolina identification, have little to no prior child care
experience, and have personal transportation. Interested individuals can apply by September 29 th
at bit.ly/CCAcademy4 or contact Emily Englehart at 919-437-9524 or eenglehart@pfcjc.org.
This project received support from the Camber Foundation.
About the Partnership for Children of Johnston County
The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is a non-profit organization that has strived to
improve the safety, health, and emotional well-being of young children for more than 25 years.
The Partnership works to enhance the quality of early childhood education, promote strong
families, and ensure school readiness for all children in Johnston County.