From writing lesson plans to student teaching, the students in the Child Care Program at the Levittown Vocational Center learn the many different aspects of early childhood education, while at the same time providing a nursery school for families in the community.

Over the last 10 years, Levittown Memorial Vocational Child Care students have sent approximately 400 toddlers from their nursery school classrooms into kindergarten, prepared and anxious to start elementary school. High school students who completed the child care program have gone on to college and obtained two and four year degrees in many related fields.

Students who complete the child care program can go on to become elementary school teachers, nursery school teachers, child care workers, licensed nannies, recreation leaders, psychologists, physical therapists, pediatric nurses or physicians, or have a health related career, become a children's clothing designer, or work in the children's entertainment business.

The child care program is an in-depth study of the growth and development of children from prenatal care through adolescence. This includes all aspects of infant care; social, emotional, intellectual, and physical and recreational needs. The students do everything from planning and preparing meals for the children, to studying the principles of buying children's clothes, supplies and furniture. The students also study preschooler development, the development of elementary school-aged children, and adolescent development.

LVC's child care program is divided into Child Care I and II. In Child Care I the students coordinate and teach in the preschool at Levittown Memorial, which gives them experience with 3 to 5 year olds. In Child Care II, the students are placed in local elementary schools and special education facilities. Other experiences may include the students working in a hospital or day care center. Through these experiences students gain valuable knowledge about working with children of different ages and different needs. Besides this practical experience, the instruction for the students in the child care program includes: guest speakers, field trips, volunteer work with the handicapped, and other hands-on experiences.

In addition to the valuable experience these students gain, they may also earn three college credits toward an education major. The Long Island High School program, sponsored by Adelphi University, awards these credits for a small fee. The earned credits are transferable to 95 percent of colleges in the nation, giving the Levittown Vocational Center's Child Care students a head start in their chosen field.