Childcare changes put pressure on college

Holland College officials are working feverishly to put together two new early childhood certification programs to meet new standards announced by the P.E.I. government Friday.

Private daycares will be able to get more government money but will have to follow rules set up by the Early Childhood Development Department. There will be a set curriculum and better wages for teachers. Most importantly for Holland College, all the teachers will now have to be certified.

"This represents a significant expansion in the number of seats in our early childhood program," Rosemary White, program manager for health and community studies, told CBC News Monday.

In addition to the two-year program in early childhood education already offered at the College, two new programs will be introduced. The first level of certification will involve three 30-hour courses. The second will be a one year program.

"What we will be doing at Holland College is developing what we call a blended learning program, meaning students can take courses partly through classroom instruction but also through the internet," said White.

The courses will begin sometime in the fall, with classes being held in several locations across the Island. White said more teaching staff will have to be hired by the college.