Lewis and Clark Offers Childcare Workers College Credit for Job Experience

New program allows childcare workers to earn up to 12 credits for on-the-job skills.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 4:34pm

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An extremely abstracted, out-of-focus photograph in warm, soft tones depicting the blurred silhouettes of a childcare worker and young children in an indoor setting, conveying the hands-on, nurturing nature of the profession.A community college program in Illinois allows experienced childcare workers to earn college credits for their on-the-job skills, helping them advance their careers.Madison Today

Lewis and Clark Community College is now offering college course credit for work experience through its Prior Learning Assessment process. Childcare workers interested in pursuing a degree or certificate can save a semester's worth of courses by participating in an interactive assessment centered on virtual scenarios, which can earn them up to 12 credit hours.

Why it matters

This program recognizes the valuable on-the-job skills and competencies that childcare workers develop through hands-on experience, allowing them to earn college credits faster and more affordably as they pursue degrees or certifications in early childhood education.

The details

The assessment takes 60 to 90 minutes to complete and can be accessed remotely. After completing the virtual scenarios, an assessor will review the applicant's responses and determine if they have met the competencies for up to four applicable courses, each worth three credits. Participants only pay for the courses they demonstrate competency in, at a rate of $10 per credit hour.

  • The new Prior Learning Assessment program is now available at Lewis and Clark Community College.

The players

Lewis and Clark Community College

A community college located in Godfrey, Illinois that offers associate's degrees and certificate programs, including in early childhood education.

John Phillips

The Child Development Coordinator at Lewis and Clark Community College who oversees the new Prior Learning Assessment program.

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What they’re saying

“You can gain so much practical knowledge from real-world hands-on experience when working with children. People who have been working in the field deserve credit for the skills and competencies they have already gained. Participating in this opportunity will help them earn a credential or degree faster.”

— John Phillips, Child Development Coordinator

What’s next

Childcare workers interested in the Prior Learning Assessment program can contact John Phillips at jomphillips@lc.edu to get started.

The takeaway

This new program at Lewis and Clark Community College provides an innovative pathway for experienced childcare workers to earn college credits and advance their careers more efficiently, recognizing the valuable skills they've developed on the job.