South Suburban College Earns Approval as an Entitled Institution for Gateways to Opportunity Credentials

SOUTH HOLLAND, IL–South Suburban College (SSC) is pleased to announce that Gateways to Opportunity has approved South Suburban College as an entitled institution for the ECE Credentials, levels 2 and 3. As an entitled institution, students at SSC will now have the opportunity to qualify for these credentials as they take courses or complete their degree through the college’s Teacher Aide/Child Development Program. SSC is entitled for these Gateways to Opportunity Credentials through 2019.

“I am so excited that our students will have the added benefit of earning credentials while completing their education,” said Dr. Donna Walker, SSC Program Coordinator. “These credentials will greatly increase their employability in the childcare field.”

Gateways to Opportunity, Illinois Professional Development System, is designed to provide guidance, support and recognition to practitioners who serve children and families in Illinois. SSC is among a select group of institutions in Illinois to be entitled for the Gateways to Opportunity Credentials. All Gateways to Opportunity Credentials have competencies that reflect multiple professional standards, including National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and the Illinois Professional Teaching Standards. The Teacher Aide/Child Development faculty at SSC worked diligently to align their courses with the Gateways to Opportunity competencies.

In a time when Early Childhood Education is defining itself as a field that promotes professional development, SSC has become entitled to help further this goal by graduating students ready to provide quality care and education to young children.

SSC’s Teacher Aide/Child Development Program awards short-term certificates and an Associate Degree track, as well as preparing students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities. The program combines hands-on application and classroom experience using up-to-date curriculum, texts and new sources for field work. Two semester internships also provide students with valuable practical field experience. Admission requirements are detailed in the college catalog and online at www.ssc.edu. All of the Teacher Aide/Child Development instructors are educators with real experience, and all are credentialed with Masters or Doctorate Degrees.

Gateways to Opportunity is administered by the Illinois Network of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (INCCRRA). Visit the Gateways to Opportunity website at www.ilgateways.com today to learn more.

For additional information about the Teacher Aide/Child Development Program, please contact Dr. Walker at (708) 596-2000, ext. 2659. SSC is located at 15800 South State Street, South Holland, Illinois.