LCC offers free program for early learning, care providers

Child care providers and educators can receive college training at no cost from Lower Columbia College as part of Washington’s Early Achievers program.

An Open House will be held Tuesday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the LCC Home and Family Life Building, Room 129, to share information about the program.

This is the second year that LCC has participated in the grant program that covers the cost of tuition, books and other support services for current child care providers who wish to gain additional training and college credentials in the Early Childhood Education field. Participants can earn initial certification, a state credential, a short-term certificate or an associate degree in Early Childhood Education.

The benefits of early learning programs for young children have received growing support on both state and national levels over the past decade. To accommodate work schedules, LCC courses are offered days, evenings and online, and students participate in observation experiences at their own centers and other sites.

Centers and family home providers who participate in the Early Achievers program earn quality level ratings which are then posted on the State Department of Early Learning website.