Partnership for Children Launches Free Child Care Academy to Support Aspiring Child Care Professionals

Johnston County — The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is excited to announce the launch of its new Child Care Academy. The program is designed to provide free comprehensive training and support to individuals interested in pursuing a career in child care. Participants will complete all required trainings and health screenings, a background check and fingerprinting, professionalism training and interview practice, observations and shadowing, and receive educational materials and a professional portfolio. The Child Care Academy is for individuals with no experience working in a licensed child care facility who, by the end of the program, will have the knowledge and skills to start teaching immediately. The inaugural cohort will take place October 7^th through the 25^th, meeting five days a week from 9 am to 2:30 pm, with two additional cohorts in 2025.
 
"Staffing shortages make this a critical time for the child care field," stated Emily Englehart, the Partnership’s Professional Development Coordinator. “Our goal with the Child Care Academy is to support aspiring child care professionals and get more teachers in our classrooms.” In February of this year, the National Association for the Education of Young Children published national survey data that revealed more than half (53%) of center directors reported staffing shortages. “In the state of North Carolina, 60% of child care directors are experiencing shortages in staff. Through the Child Care Academy, we want to reduce those numbers by providing participants with a system of support and a foundation for success.”
 
To be eligible for the program, applicants must be 18 years of age or older, residents of Johnston County, and have no prior child care experience. Interested individuals can apply for the Child Care Academy by contacting Emily Englehart at 919-437-9524 or eenglehart@pfcjc.org. This project received support from Camber Foundation.
 
About the Partnership for Children of Johnston County
 
The Partnership for Children of Johnston County is a non-profit organization. For over 25 years, the Partnership has worked to improve the safety, health, and emotional well-being of young children by enhancing the quality of childcare and supporting strong families. The Partnership works collaboratively to improve the quality of early childhood education and school readiness for all of Johnston County’s children.
 
Together, we can improve the economic sustainability of Johnston County by ensuring that its future workforce is prepared for success in school and life. To learn more about the programs and services offered by the Partnership for Children, please call 919-202-0002 or follow us on social media @PFCJoCo.