Child development students earn credits through PRCC

POPLARVILLE – Fourteen students have completed a seven-week course making them eligible to apply for credentials as child development associates.

The women received educational credits through Pearl River Community College’s Workforce Training Program.

“This diverse group of women worked diligently over the course of the program and were committed to both achieving their goals of working with young children and expanding their career opportunities,” said Dr. Pamela Thomas, director of Early Childhood Programs for Picayune schools who taught the course.

The program requires completion of 120 hours of formal early childhood education covering the growth and development of children from infancy to 5 years of age, preparation of a portfolio of reference work and a minimum grade of 70 on final exams. The students must also complete 480 hours of professional work experience in a child setting. Many of the students have already completed the work.

Funds for the program came from Families First for Mississippi.

“We are thrilled to work with Pearl River Community College to better serve their students and our participants by providing a comprehensive service array at a single location,” said Rebecca Brown, Families First regional coordinator. “PRCC, through its adult education and workforce education departments, is constantly striving to provide relevant and accessible education and development programs that help individuals to better meet personal and professional goals.”

All of the students who completed the course are from Pearl River County. They are Payton Reed, Chrissy Moore, Keyonte Jenkins, Carol Brehm, Sherry Yarborough, Makea White, Connice Sylvas, Shamele Honeycutt, Brooke Seals, Rickena Hawkins, Bianca Peters, Nastassia Poole, Angela Boutwell and Crystal Pitt. 

Child development students
Dr. Pamela Thomas, director of Early Childhood Programs for Picayune schools, teaches a child development associate course.

Each community college president is asked to bring two (2) wrapped door prizes, minimum value of $50 each. We will have a station set up at the conference for you to drop off the door prizes.

Each community college is asked to provide name tags for their Board members, administration, and staff attending the conference.