New requirements for some pre-school teachers could mean a better start to your child's education. Soon, Head Start instructors will have to have at least two years of schooling in childhood education.
It may look like fun and games, but at the Volunteers of America childcare center, teachers don't waste a minute.
"Times have changed. It used to be basic childcare, and now we're structured. We have learning areas all day long," VOA Program Coordinator Mary Decker said.
One example of that is that Volunteers of America teachers need to write up lesson plans for their daily activities.
Even though VOA has its own internal rules, soon all of its teachers will be required to have a two-year degree in early childhood education because it's home to the Head Start program.
VOA approached Kilian Community College in Sioux Falls and asked it to consider developing such a degree. The school will debut its Early Childhood Education degree program this fall.
"In conversations with others in the community, it became very apparent that the need is there," Kilian President Mark Millage said.
Decker already has her child development associate's degree and is looking into the program for herself and her teachers.
"We have that opportunity for our staff, but it also brings in new people seeking that degree that we can hire from," Decker said.
Decker says it's a great way for her employees to grow their knowledge base, and it'll only make her childcare center a better place.
"The parents expect it of us, and we expect it from our staff. And our staff want to do it; they want to make a difference," Decker said.
In addition to Kilian, Southeast Technical Institute in Sioux Falls has just been approved to offer an Early Childhood Specialist degree. Both programs begin this fall.
Katie Janssen
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