Early Childhood Development Courses

PHSC offers two Early Childhood Development credentialing courses to further your knowledge and your career. The Operation of an Early Childhood Center is the Director Credential, and the Florida Childcare Professional Credential (FCCPC) is a Staff Credential. Both classes meet the credentialing requirements of the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

To determine the best pathway to success based on their interests and career goals students should consult with an Academic Advisor.

The opportunity may be available for career and job training scholarships.

Spring 2025 (2025-2) Individual Course Schedule

Note: No classes on January 20 and March 10–16

Florida Childcare Professional Staff Credential

Course: NCP0100 (online)
CRN: 22347
Dates: Jan. 21–Apr. 17
Days: Tues., Thurs.
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Hours: 120 hours (remote access and online)
Cost: $995 

Description: This 12-week course is designed to provide students with learning opportunities related to demonstration of written competencies for children ages birth to five years, in the functional areas of early childhood education. Students will be required to complete 480 work or volunteer hours in a childcare setting. Students are required to be evaluated on classroom seminars, field experiences, and performance observation in an early childhood setting. A classroom observation will be conducted by an early learning specialist. The E-portfolio, which will document successful mastery of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP), is required for course completion, and meets the Florida Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families' requirements. This documentation along with other required documents will be submitted directly to DCF for completion of the FCCPC.

This course is Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship eligible. Students interested should apply early as T.E.A.C.H. scholarships may take 6-8 weeks to process.

Operation of an Early Childhood Center Director Credential

Course: NCP0005 (online)
CRN: 22348
Dates: Jan. 27–Mar. 26
Days: Mon., Wed.
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Hours: 45 hours (remote access and online) 
Cost: $365

Description: This 8-week course addresses the role of the director and responsibilities of managing an early childhood center, as well as practices of time management, planning and goal setting as they pertain to early childhood centers. It covers the management and delivery of educational services, with an emphasis on planning, equipment, space, security, and educational goals. 

This course meets the Florida Department of Children and Families (FLDCF) requirements for the Director Credential, pursuant to section 402.305(2)(f), F.S.

Students must have an Active Professional Staff Credential (FCCPC; Excluding Employment Recognition Exemption) prior to registering for the Director Credential.

Course Co-requisites:

  • 30-Hour Part I Department of Children and Families (DCF) Introductory Child Care Training 

  • 8 hours of in-service training regarding children with Disabilities (DCF's Special Needs Appropriate Practices course will meet this requirement.)

This course is Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship eligible. Students interested should apply early as T.E.A.C.H. scholarships may take 6-8 weeks to process.

Operation of an Early Childhood Center Director Credential

Course: NCP0005 (online)
CRN: 22349
Dates: April 2–May 28
Days: Mon., Wed.
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Hours: 45 hours (remote access and online) 
Cost: $365

Description: This 8-week course addresses the role of the director and responsibilities of managing an early childhood center, as well as practices of time management, planning and goal setting as they pertain to early childhood centers. It covers the management and delivery of educational services, with an emphasis on planning, equipment, space, security, and educational goals. 

This course meets the Florida Department of Children and Families (FLDCF) requirements for the Director Credential, pursuant to section 402.305(2)(f), F.S.

Students must have an Active Professional Staff Credential (FCCPC; Excluding Employment Recognition Exemption) prior to registering for the Director Credential.

Course Co-requisites:

  • 30-Hour Part I Department of Children and Families (DCF) Introductory Child Care Training 

  • 8 hours of in-service training regarding children with Disabilities (DCF's Special Needs Appropriate Practices course will meet this requirement.)

This course is Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship eligible. Students interested should apply early as T.E.A.C.H. scholarships may take 6-8 weeks to process.

Summer 2025 (2025-3) Individual Course Schedule

Note: No classes on May 26

Florida Childcare Professional Staff Credential

Course: NCP0100 (online)
CRN: 33012
Dates: May 20–Aug. 6
Days: Tues., Thurs.
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Hours: 120 hours (remote access and online)
Cost: $995 

Description: This 12-week course is designed to provide students with learning opportunities related to demonstration of written competencies for children ages birth to five years, in the functional areas of early childhood education. Students will be required to complete 480 work or volunteer hours in a childcare setting. Students are required to be evaluated on classroom seminars, field experiences, and performance observation in an early childhood setting. A classroom observation will be conducted by an early learning specialist. The E-portfolio, which will document successful mastery of Developmentally Appropriate Practices (DAP), is required for course completion, and meets the Florida Department of Education and the Department of Children and Families' requirements. This documentation along with other required documents will be submitted directly to DCF for completion of the FCCPC.

This course is Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship eligible. Students interested should apply early as T.E.A.C.H. scholarships may take 6-8 weeks to process.

Operation of an Early Childhood Center Director Credential

Course: NCP0005 (online)
CRN: 30013
Dates: June 9–July 30
Days: Mon., Wed.
Time: 6–8 p.m.
Hours: 45 hours (remote access and online) 
Cost: $365

Description: This 8-week course addresses the role of the director and responsibilities of managing an early childhood center, as well as practices of time management, planning and goal setting as they pertain to early childhood centers. It covers the management and delivery of educational services, with an emphasis on planning, equipment, space, security, and educational goals. 

This course meets the Florida Department of Children and Families (FLDCF) requirements for the Director Credential, pursuant to section 402.305(2)(f), F.S.

Students must have an Active Professional Staff Credential (FCCPC; Excluding Employment Recognition Exemption) prior to registering for the Director Credential.

Course Co-requisites:

  • 30-Hour Part I Department of Children and Families (DCF) Introductory Child Care Training 

  • 8 hours of in-service training regarding children with Disabilities (DCF's Special Needs Appropriate Practices course will meet this requirement.)

This course is Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (T.E.A.C.H.) scholarship eligible. Students interested should apply early as T.E.A.C.H. scholarships may take 6-8 weeks to process.

Tuition Support

In partnership with the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando (ELCPH), limited tuition support is available on a first come, first served basis to those who are eligible.

Students who live in Pasco or Hernando counties who plan to become or are currently employed as early learning childcare providers may be eligible for ELCPH tuition support. Students who live outside of these counties but work at an early learning childcare establishment within these counties may also be eligible.

Verification documents will be requested for confirmation from students who receive tuition support once registered.

The ELCPH tuition support covers the cost of the course and the textbook.  

How to Register

Steps to Register

  1. If you are a current or previous PHSC student, please skip to Step 3. If you are a new student, visit PHSC Continuing Professional Education Course Registration website to complete a Career & Job Training Application: Apply Here

  2. Once your Career & Job Training Application has been processed and you have set up your Application Portal and your Bobcat Portal, you may move forward with registration steps outlined below.
    Please allow 7-10 business days for application processing. 
    For assistance with PHSC ID, email and login credentials/passwords, or setting up your Application Portal or Bobcat Portal, please contact the Help Desk at 727-816-3311 or helpdesk@phsc.edu.

  3. Go to the Register for Classes Link: Select a Term

  4. Select Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

  5. Subject: Type or select the three-digit course code from the drop-down menu. 

    • Business – NCB

    • Education – NCP

    • Engineering, Manufacturing, Welding – NCI

    • Health Science – NCH

    • Public Service – NCG

    • Technology – NCC

    • Transportation - NCJ

  6. Choose a course by clicking the ADD button.

  7. Click Submit to add the class to your schedule.

  8. Follow the prompts to pay for the course if not covered by a scholarship.
     

Questions?

Direct your questions, concerns, or requests for more information to the PHSC Workforce Development Office at 727-816-3123 or careertraining@phsc.edu. 

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