The
Apprenticeship For Child Development
Specialist Training Program
The Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) is
a four-semester training program developed in West Virginia
for staff in child care centers, Head Start, preschool, school-age
care programs and public schools. ACDS is based on the U.S.
Department of Labor’s (USDL) apprenticeship model and requires
a total of 300 hours of course work and 3,200 to 4,000 hours
of on-the-job experience. It also requires the commitment of
the apprentice’s employer to provide supervision and support
of the apprentice’s laboratory work and an increase in
wages upon successful completion of the training. Graduates
receive national certification through the USDL.
In West Virginia, the ACDS is a collaborative effort of the
State Office of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, U.S.
Department of Labor; the Bureau of Vocational, Technical and
Adult Education, West Virginia Department of Education; River
Valley Child Development Services; and local vocational schools.
This training program can be implemented in any state through
the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training, and does not need
to be in conjunction with the State Department of Education.
While the two publications, ACDS Instructor’s Guide
and Starting Point II: A Collection of Curriculum Ideas for
Teaching Child Development Specialists, are based on the
B.A.T. model, the content of both manuals can be useful in any
early care and education staff training program. The materials
are based on NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice
in Early Childhood Programs, the 13 functional areas of
the CDA model, and the philosophy that adults learn best through
interactive, experienced-based teaching methods.
The Instructor’s Guide includes the rationale for
using the developmental, hands-on approach to teaching adults;
information on adult life-cycle phases, developmental stages,
traits and temperaments, and learning styles; and the use of
inquiry and creative thinking methods of teaching adults.
Starting Point II includes over 120 concepts on stages
of children’s development, behavior, DAP curriculum, health,
safety, child management, diversity in the classroom, problem-solving,
ethical and professional conduct, administration, and effective
communication. Each concept includes a brief discussion of the
concept, several interactive classroom activities and several
assignments (laboratory work) to reinforce the concept. This
manual is in a loose-leaf binder to allow the trainees to add
resource materials.
The two publications are a package deal. Both are necessary
to fully understand and implement this training program. The
total cost for both is $250.00, plus cost of mailing or shipping.
The ACDS Reference Manual was developed in 1998 with
technical assistance from The Center for Career Development
in Early Care and Education at Wheelock College. This 135-page
loose-leaf manual includes the rationale, organization, policies
and sample forms developed by West Virginia ACDS. It is available
for $75.00.
The ACDS video, "Journey to the Future", produced
in 1999 by Mountainside Media, features historical and organizational
program information, actual ACDS classroom and graduation scenes
as well as interviews with instructors and apprentices. The
video is available for $20.00.
RVCDS is also offering consultant and training services to anyone
interested in replicating the ACDS as developed for West Virginia.
Our agency has trained 126 instructors and provided consultation
as new programs started in different areas of the state during
the past ten years. 39 out of 55 counties in West Virginia have
participated in ACDS. During the first ten years, 800 apprentices
completed the program.
The ACDS has proven to be a very successful program in West
Virginia and is recognized as a national model. Early childhood
program directors affirm the effectiveness of the ACDS program
as a great tool for increasing the quality of child care. They
observe a higher level of self-esteem among those who are in
the training program. Apprentices benefit as they learn to relate
theory to practice.
As the program expanded, several steps were taken to assure
the continuation of the quality, consistency and integrity of
the program:
- A state executive council was organized to develop guidelines
and policies and serve as a decision-making body for questions
referred by local councils.
- Local councils were formed to provide structure to the program
and make decisions at the local level.
- The Instructor’s Academy was established to ensure the
philosophical integrity of the program.
The
dynamics of being a part of the Instructor’s Academy set
the tone for implementing the
ACDS program. An introduction to the program and an overview
of Starting Point: A Collection of Ideas for Teaching Child
Care Apprentices provide the framework for the Instructor’s
Academy. Developmental approaches, adult learning styles and
interactive teaching strategies comprise the instructional thrust
of the training event.
The cost of consultation is $300 per day plus travel expenses,
if necessary. The cost of the five-day Instructor’s Academy
is $2000.00 if located in Huntington, West Virginia, or $3000.00
plus expenses (transportation, hotel and meals) if held at other
locations. The cost of the Academy does not include manuals.
Academy classes are limited to 25 participants.
For more information about the instructional materials and the
Instructor’s Academy contact:
River Valley Child Development Services
611 7th Ave. Suite 208
Huntington, WV 25701
304-523-0433 or 1-866-982-2237
For more information about program certification, contact the
Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training in your state.
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