Finding childcare can be difficult for any parent. It’s tough as well for area residents who wish to pursue Early Childhood Careers or to own/operate a childcare facility. To support candidates who are interested in earning their credentials or the start-up funds required to open their own childcare facility, PEACE, Inc. collaborates with Child Care Solutions of CNY and offers the Early Childhood Career Pathway Project Program. Coordinated by Karen Barry, the program offers the following 3 pathways:
Education. Clients receive assistance obtaining their 120-hour Children Development Associate Credential (CDA) or their Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Employment. Clients receive assistance with resume building and job placement in Head Start and other Early Childhood/Childcare Centers.
Entrepreneurship. To start a Family Daycare business, clients receive $1,000 start-up funds and technical support to navigate the 90-page application, pass 3 home inspections, and attend CPR/Health/Safety trainings.
Since 2019, Karen’s program has opened 15 family daycares and helped 14 clients gain CDAs. Among these many successes, Charlee Crosby completed her CDA and works at Merrick Head Start. People praise Charlee for her creativity, and the children love her art projects!
Likewise, Ashley Saulle earned her CDA in April 2021 and is now happily employed at a local daycare. Her words best capture her excitement and impact about the work, “The road to getting my CDA has been long due to COVID but well worth it! Working with kids is what makes me happy and I strongly suggest pursuing a career in child care! You won’t regret it!”
To learn more about this exciting program, call Karen at 315-849-7019.