Because of today’s large number of families with both parents who work outside of the home and large number of single-parent families, there is a growing need for quality childcare and childcare-worker training. To meet the needs of CGTC students for childcare career training and to meet the needs of students for whom childcare is an obstacle to education, this initiative includes:
• Expanding childcare and education programs and services

º	offer expanded credit and non-credit childcare and education programs
º	develop collegiate partnerships for childcare and education bridge programs
º	provide programs and services for parents

• Constructing a comprehensive childcare center and demonstration training lab

In Bibb County, the need for trained childcare personnel is even more acute than average. In Bibb County in 2003, the percentage of people living below the poverty level was 19%, and the percentage of children in the 0 to 17 age group living below the poverty level was 28.5%, both of which significantly exceeded the state average percentages. Additionally, the percentage of households headed by a female with no husband and children under 18 years old, the percentage of births to unwed mothers, and the percentage of unwed births to teen mothers all significantly exceeded the statewide averages. In 2005, in Bibb County, there were 34,469 children (22.25% of the population) ages 0 to 14. All of these factors contribute to the need for childcare in Bibb County; however, in 2006, the county had only 72 licensed child day care facilities.

There is a significant and growing need for trained childcare and education personnel in the area. Georgia Department of Labor projections indicate that there will be approximately 1,500 childcare workers and preschool teachers needed in Bibb County alone by 2014 and approximately 60 openings each year for these positions. However, expansion of childcare and education training is limited by restricted program resources; CGTC is approved to offer six Childcare and Education program specializations, but can offer only three due to limited faculty and space.

A. Expanded Childcare and Education Programs and Services

    Expanded Credit and Non-credit Childcare and Education Programs

The College plans to provide additional Childcare and Education program specializations and improved opportunities for student observation and fieldwork experiences. Expanded programs will enable greater numbers of students to prepare for jobs in this critical career area.

Currently, CGTC has articulation agreements through which CGTC students can receive transfer credits to four-year colleges for courses in the ECE/Special Education program and the middle grades education program. CGTC will seek additional articulation agreements with additional four-year colleges and universities to provide a “two-plus-two” bridge program for Childcare and Education for those students who wish to continue their education.

In the past, concerns associated with childcare careers were moderately low wages and perceived lack of advancement possibilities. Program partnerships with four-year colleges will provide a career ladder for professional advancement and accompanying salary increases that will make childcare and education training more attractive to students and will offer a viable career choice for increased numbers of students.

The expanded Childcare and Education programs will benefit parents, especially parents who are students in credit and adult education programs, by offering care for children, both day and evening, and by offering continuing education classes and related workshops.

Priority for childcare services will be given to CGTC students, faculty, and staff. Parent services will be provided through referrals.

B. Establishment of New Childcare Centers and Demonstration Training Labs

The College plans to construct or renovate a 14,000-square-foot childcare center on or in close proximity to the CGTC Macon Campus including classrooms and observation rooms for College students as well as appropriated rooms for care of approximately 100 children from ages 12 months to ten years old. The facility will also offer a large indoor play area and a parent resource center. The Center will include developmentally appropriate outdoor playgrounds, not included in the building square footage, and a covered drive to accommodate delivery and pick-up of children in inclement weather. It is planned that the facility will have both state-or-the-art furnishings and equipment for children and instructional technology for College students. It is envisioned that the Center will house a comprehensive program offering childcare services, workforce training in credit and non-credit programs, collegiate bridge programs, and parent services.

A similar center is envisioned for establishment at or near the Milledgeville Campus. A possible location for such a center is in the Board of Education facility in Milledgeville across from the existing CGTC campus.