Thirteen hurdle fifth Childcare Bootcamp at GCC

GUAM—Thirteen individuals have successfully completed the fifth Childcare Bootcamp and were recognized during a completion ceremony last Aug. 11, 2023. The Childcare Bootcamp was funded by the Department of Public Health and Social Services and developed by the Guam Economic Development Authority and the Guam Community College to provide island families with qualified daycare providers to meet the critical shortage in available and affordable daycare and after-school programs.

“Today, we celebrate the hard work and dedication of all of these completers,” said GCC president Dr. Mary A. Y. Okada. “They will help rebuild our economy, by providing day care services for our young ones so their parents and guardians can seek employment, or go to school. They will help to shape the minds of our children.”

Leanza Joy Selvidge, bootcamp completer and Sinajana Day Camp admissions and programs officer was asked by Mayor Robert Hoffman if she would like to participate in the bootcamp. Selvidge agreed and is happy that she signed up.

“The course enlightened me on how to deal with young children and how to encourage them while at our facility for day camp,” said Selvidge. “I also use the skills I have learned with my daughter. I will take the benefits of my training back to my community in Sinajana and apply it to our afterschool program, so that parents can rest assured that their children are in a safe environment and in a positive learning and nurturing setting so they may return to us year after year.”

Participants in this bootcamp completed a seven-week curriculum including Early Childhood Education Orientation and Child Growth & Development. Other courses included Heartsaver First Aid, CPR, AED, and WorkKeys®. This program is free to qualified applicants who are accepted into the program.

A Childcare Leadership Bootcamp is planned for October 2023. This bootcamp is targeted for childcare providers wanting to manage a childcare facility. Contact GCC’s Office of Continuing Education and Workforce Development to learn more about this or other bootcamps that you can avail of at no or little cost to you. Email workforce@guamcc.edu or call 671-735-5640. (GCC)