Education and Training

Out-of-School Time (OST) Training Program

Course Requirements for the OST Credential

Phase One
OST ‘Core’ Training – 15 clock hours
*Each class is 1.5 hours.

1. Child Growth and Development
2. Activity Planning
3. Learning Environments
4. Communications and Relationships
5. Behavior Management and Guidance
6. Social and Cultural Awareness
7. Health and Safety
8. Children with Special Needs
9. Program Management and Professionalism
10. Families, Communities, Schools

Phase Two –
OST Certificate Series – 60 clock hours
*Consists of four ‘series’; each ‘series’ consists of six classes; each class is 2.5 hours.

SERIES I:
SCHOOL-AGE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

• Module 1: 
  Exploring the Continuum of Developmental Tasks of School-Age Children from 5 to 12 – Implications for Programming
• Module 2: 
  Exploring Four Areas of Development – Implications for Programming 
• Module 3: 
  Exploring Developmental Needs and Characteristics of Different Age Groups – Implications for Programming
• Module 4: 
  Exploring Individual Differences Among School-Age Children – Implications for Programming
• Module 5: 
  Managing School-Age Children in Groups
• Module 6: 
  Guiding the Behavior of Individual Children

SERIES II: 
BUILDING THE FOUNDATIONS FOR HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS

• Module 7: 
  Observation Skills – What’s Really Going on Here?
• Module 8: 
  Human Relations Skill Development
• Module 9: 
  OST as a Family Service – Part One (Emphasis on Relationship Building)
• Module 10: 
  OST as a Family Service – Part Two (Emphasis on Planning Opportunities for Family Involvement
• Module 11: 
  Building Relationships with School Personnel
• Module 12: 
  Growing as a Professional in OST Programs

SERIES III: 
DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING QUALITY OST PROGRAMS – PART ONE

• Module 13: 
  Creating and Maintaining Safe OST Environments
• Module 14: 
  Creating and Maintaining Healthy OST Environments
• Module 15: 
  Designing Effective Indoor OST Play and Learning Environments
• Module 16: 
  Developing and Implementing Effective Indoor Interest Areas
  
• Module 17: 
  Developing and Implementing Effective OST Outdoor Environments and Interest Areas
  
• Module 18: 
  Exploring Effective Schedules, Diverse Activity Formats, Planning Tools, and Staff Roles

SERIES IV: 
DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING QUALITY OST PROGRAMS – PART TWO

• Module 19: 
  Involving School-Age Children in Activity Planning and Implementation
• Module 20: 
  Developing Activities That Encourage Creativity and Cognitive Development
• Module 21: 
  Creating Successful Clubs, Special Events, and Field Trips in OST Programs
• Module 22: 
  Developing Activities That Support Character Development and Promote Social Interaction
• Module 23: 
  Providing Homework Support
• Module 24: 
  Helping Children with ADD Succeed in OST

Phase Three – OST Credential Series – 45 clock hours *Consists of 12 classes; each class is 2.5 hours. 
*Independent project work required totaling 15 hours.

Credential Series One: Management/Administration

• Module 1: 
  Observing Children in OST Programs
• Module 2: 
  Sharing Information with Parents and Other Professionals
• Module 3: 
  Commitment to Quality in OST
• Module 4:
  Creating Plans and Developing Policies
• Module 5:
  Creating and Managing Budgets in OST
• Module 6:
  The Six "P's" of Marketing OST Programs

Credential Series Two: Leadership/Professionalism

• Module 7:
  Growing as Professional: Focus on Health and Stress Management
• Module 8: 
  Human Relations Skill Development: Focus on Leadership Styles and Conflict Management
• Module 9:  
  Exploring Ethics in OST: Focus on a Professional Code of Ethics
• Module 10: 
  Current Trends and Issues in OST
• Module 11: 
  Youth Development Trends: Focus on Older Youth
• Module 12: 
  Creating Community Collaborations
• Independent Study: Resource File/Portfolio