Kankakee Area Career Center

Foundations of Education Program Information

KACC’s Foundations of Education program offers comprehensive training in early child development. In addition to developing professional skills in this rewarding field, students have an opportunity to develop competency in basic principles of child growth and development, engage in hands-on experiences with 3, 4, and 5 year-olds in the onsite preschool lab, and actively participate in planning and implementing curriculum activities within our lab.

Students gain skills and knowledge in guiding children's behavior, growth and development, preschool operation, safety, and first-aid.
Expose Students to career profiles in home, public, and private teaching settings.
Students plan and implement activities designed as formal lesson plans utilized in the preschool.
Students experience acting as both a teaching team member and leader.
Second-year students may gain experience through internships or job shadowing at local daycare or preschool facilities.

Review the Foundations of Education sections below:

College Credits

Industry Certifications

Requirements & Costs

Career Opportunities

Personal Qualities

Schoolwide KACC Training

Questions on Education program? Contact KACC Today!

Foundations of Education College Credits*

KACC's Foundations of Education curriculum has been designed to include college-level material each year. Students completing two years in this program can earn credits at either Kankakee Community College or Prairie State College.

* Dual College Credits are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Kankakee Community College
ECED2223-7D0: Art/Music Activities for Young Children - 3 Credit Hours (2nd year students)
ECED2253-7D0: Motor Development/Physical Activities- 3 Credit Hours (2nd year students)

Foundations of Education Industry Certifications*

* Industry certifications are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Gateways/ECE Credential Level 1(1st year students

American Heart Association C.P.R and First Aid Certification(2nd year students)

Foundations of Education Requirements & Costs*

* Requirements & Costs are subject to change (last reviewed Sep 2023). Please email KACC for more information.

Foundation of Education I: Class Fee $40 (Includes CPR Training & First Aid, workbook)

Foundations of Education II: Class Fee $80 (Includes Fingerprinting, background check, picture ID Badge, CPR Training, and First Aid Certification)

Class fee $50 for book

Full Set of Scrubs (top and bottom)

One 3" binder	One 2" binder
1 set of dividers	Notebook paper
Post-it notepad	Pens/pencils, highlighter

Foundations of Education Career Opportunities

Several career opportunities exist for students who complete the Foundations of Education program. Here are a few examples.

Child Care Instructor

Preschool Teacher

Curriculum Development

Private Child Care (Nanny)

Children's Advocate

Child Care Aide

Foundations of Education Personal Qualities

Students can enhance their experience in the Foundations of Education program by possessing the following key personal qualities.

Patience and Emotional Stability

Get Along With Others

Warm Personality

Enjoy working with children

Ability to Handle Medium Physical Activity

Ability to Plan and Organize

Schoolwide KACC Training

Significant benefits are available to students who remain focused and diligent at KACC. The staff at KACC enjoys supporting our youth in achieving their dreams beyond high school. We have established the following to assist our community to flourish post-high school years. Please review our Workplace Excellence Badges, Career Coaching, and Specific Benefits Gained Through KACC sections below.

Workplace Excellence Soft/Essential Skill Badges Earned

ADAPTability	COMMUNICATIONability
DEPENDability	REASONability
PRESENTability	WORKability
SUITability	TRANSITIONability
RESPECTability	WRITEability

Super Badge: Solidifying collective competency in all of the above areas

Career Coaching

Online Portfolio

Cover Letter

Introduction Letter

Resume

Reference Letters

LinkedIn Profile

Interviewing Skills

Career Exploration

Financial Planning

Scholarship Essay Writing

Specific Benefits Gained Through KACC

2 Year CTE Diploma - Recognizing students who attended KACC for 2 consecutive years
- Received an Attendance of 90% or higher
- Received a "B" Average or better (1st year entirety, and at least the first 3 semesters of the 2nd year)
- Received competency (90% or higher) in employability skills, and
- Received a Workplace Excellence Super Badge

KACC Student Advisory Committee

SkillsUSA participation and recognition on state and national levels & scholarships offered

National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) qualification & scholarships offered

KACC Scholarships are offered to all KACC Seniors who apply

Hands-on experiences through KACC class and internship opportunities through established connections to business and industry through KACC

Classes taught by those who have succeeded in the jobs they represent

Positive referrals and evaluations from KACC teachers about work students have completed while at KACC further student engagement to showcase their skills.