IECE Scholarships Available for Child Care Workers

November 13 is the deadline for child care workers to apply for spring scholarships in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) at Ashland Community and Technical College.

The Early Childhood Education scholarships are administered by the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) to help working early child care employees earn additional credentials.

The scholarships are available to Kentuckys child care providers who work at least 20 hours per week or provide training in early childhood development at least 12 times per year for an approved organization. Kentuckians employed as a preschool associate teacher or instructional assistant in a state-funded preschool or blended Head Start program are also eligible.

These scholarships can help our IECE students, graduates and others working in child care facilities increase their job skills and qualifications, said Robin Johns, IECE Program Coordinator at ACTC. The demand for pre-school teachers is expected to grow 15% according to Kentucky Occupational outlook to 2022, and the average wage is $16.09 per hour.

Scholarship applicants must be working toward an associate or bachelors degree in early childhood education or other approved credential. Depending on funding, the scholarship will pay up to $1,800 for tuition each year. Students may not take more than nine hours of classes per semester.

Students can earn an Associate in Applied Science Degree in IECE, an IECE Diploma and six certificates at ACTC. Graduates who go on to earn a Bachelors Degree are qualified to work as developmental interventionists through Kentuckys First Steps Program.

Four online IECE courses are offered next spring: Literacy and Language in, Administration of Early Childhood Education, Sciences and Math in IECE and Infant amp; Toddler Education amp; Programs. On campus classes include Observation and Assessment, Curriculum, Applied Experiences and Early Childhood Development.

To apply, students must submit an Early Childhood Development Scholarship application to KHEAA at www.kheaa.com. Students must also fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), available at www.fafsa.gov. For more information, emailRobin Johns at: rjohns0006@kctcs.edu.

Shown above flanking ICEC Coordinator Robin Johns are scholarship recipients Rebecka Colegrove (left) and Donna Barber. Both students received Kentucky Early Childhood Education Scholarships for fall semester, and both work at the Preschool and Nursery of First United Methodist Church in Ashland. Colegrove, the Two-year-old Teacher, is starting on a career in child care and is working on her CDA. Barber, the Director, is a retired teacher who has started a second career. She is working toward an associate degree.