Preschool Associate Credential

• Introduction
• Requirements
• Training
• Transferable College Credit
• Virtual University
• Professional Portfolio
• Renewal Requirements
• Fees

Introduction:

At ACSI we believe that excellence in early education depends on quality Christian programs. Many ACSI member preschool and childcare centers are now required to be licensed with state or local requlatory agencies. The ACSI Preschool Associate Credential (PAC) answers the minimum competency standard requirements. It is equivalent to other nationally recognized credentials and comes from the perspective of a Christian worldview.

The Preschool Associate Credential (PAC) is valid for five years. Obtaining an Early Education Associate Credential qualifies a candidate for an ACSI Early Education Associate Certificate.

Requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Hold a high school diploma or GED
• Meet state regulatory requirements
• Hold a valid First Aid card
• Hold a valid Infant/Child CPR card
• Have completed a minimum of six months (no fewer than 480 hours) successful employment in the same early education program
• Be an active member of the International Association of Christian Early Educators

The following requirements are explained in detail in the ACSI Preschool Associate Credential (PAC) manual. The PAC manual is designed to guide a person step-by-step through the credentialing process. It is available through Purposeful Design Publications.

Training

Have completed 12 professional clock hours in each of the following required study areas (120 hours total):

• Understanding the growth and development of the young child
• Providing a safe and healthy learning environment
• Advancing the physical and intellectual development of children
• Encouraging the social and emotional development of young children
• Observing and recording the behavior of young children
• Providing effective classroom and program management
• Developing productive relationships with families and the community
• Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
• Have completed an additional 24 clock hours of professional study electives

Professional studies requirements may be fulfilled through First Aid and Infant/Child CPR training and in-service clock hours. The candidate may take clock hour electives for credit or noncredit. The agency or organization providing training must be qualified in early childhood teacher preparation and must provide a transcript, letter, or certificate verifying the candidate’s participation.

Transferable College Credit

Vanguard University's Child Development Program provides fully online early education classes, all taught from a Christian worldview. Students may enroll in individual classes as needed, or complete the entire 27-unit certificate. All classes are 5 weeks in length and each provides 3 semester units of credit. As a result of the University Collaboration Agreement between ACSI and Vanguard University, ACSI early educators are eligible to receive a 10% tuition discount on all Child Development Program classes at Vanguard. This results in a savings of $30 per class. For more information, please visit the website.

Virtual University (Online Training)

You can complete the 120 hour training requirement for the PAC by going through ACSI's Virtual University, an online training module that is convienient for everyone. This one year subscription will allow you to complete the 120 clock hour requirement in a timely manner that won't break your budget. Completing this training does not give you the PAC credential. You must complete the whole process in order to receive the credential.

Professional Portfolio:

A notebook organizing documentation of proficiency in the contents of Area II as described in the PAC instructional manual

• Include a personal professional biography and a written understanding of the biblical principles of authority in the relationship between teacher, administrators, and the school board
• Supply evidence that the candidate is proficient in each of the content areas listed in the professional study section
• Utilize the Parent Questionnaire for feedback regarding children’s experiences in the candidate’s classroom
• Choose an appropriate advisor who will guide the candidate through the credentialing process
• Submit to an ACSI credentialing representative’s observation of the candidate’s skills while working with the children as the primary teacher/caregiver
• Submit to an oral interview with the ACSI credentialing representative following the observation to evaluate the candidate’s skills and knowledge of age-appropriate early education practices. The credentialing representative will send a formal report of the observation and interview to ACSI
• Have completed the ACSI Principles and Practices of Christian Early Education course
• Have completed 12 clock hours in Bible

Renewal Requirements: 

• Hold a current first aid and infant/child CPR card.
• Complete 12 additional clock hours in Bible.
• Complete 30 additional clock hours of professional growth.
• Have a minimum of 180 hours of documented work with young children within the past year.
• Make an arrangement with an early education colleague who possesses a minimum of an associate credential or a degree in early education to verify applicant’s competency with young children by completing the
• Recommendation for Renewal form.

 Fees

 *This total does not include your 120 hours of training in early childhood education. Prices are subject to change without notice.

Total cost of program with ACSI's Virtual University (online training):
$709.00