Alexandria School offers students the opportunity to develop the knowledge, skills and experience needed to become successful in-home child care providers.

• 18-week Professional Nanny diploma program
• 9-week Accelerated Professional Nanny certificate program for college graduates
• 5-week Newborn Specialist certificate programs (become a "baby nurse"!) on evenings and weekends
• Experience a fun, hands-on, practical curriculum
• Learn from teachers who are highly educated professionals who are experts in their fields
• Receive personalized, individual placement support for your entire career as a nanny

Placement

Alexandria School provides comprehensive and personalized job placement services exclusively for its graduates. Portfolio and résumé development, interview preparation, contract negotiations and ongoing career support are all part of our commitment to our students. We strive for our graduates to earn competitive salaries*, benefits and to experience strong job demand in desirable locations.

*The INA Salary and Benefits Survey (www.nanny.org)

Apply

• Fall 2008 Term: October 8 - December 12, 2008
  Application deadline: September 24, 2008

Professional Nanny Diploma -- 18-week program

• Fall 2008 Term: August 18 - December 19, 2008
  Application deadline: August 1, 2008
• Spring 2009 Term: January 19 - May 22, 2009
  Application deadline: January 1, 2009

Newborn Specialist Certificate -- 5-week program

Admission

Alexandria School is a selective career school. As a prospective Professional Nanny, students should have a love and desire to work with children of all ages and their families. Students should have personal qualities that include warmth, patience and empathy for all family members. A high level of professionalism is expected of all graduates. Applicants also must:

• have completed high school or hold a GED for the Professional Nanny program.
• have attained a 4-year college degree (or a 2-year degree with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience) for the Accelerated Professional Nanny program.
• pass a background check, take part in an in-person interview, and successfully complete a psychosocial examination to evaluate levels of responsibility, patience and personal views on child care.

• submit four letters of recommendation based on child care experiences, at least three from non-family.

Please see Resources for Financing Your Alexandria School Education for more information.
                                         9-week      18-week
                                       Certificate    Diploma
Application:                        $   35           $   35
Registration (covers background check and psychosocial exam):                                    90                90
Material and lab fees:              250              250
Tuition due at registration:    4,000           4,000
Tuition due at mid-point:         ---             4,000
Total:                               $ 4,375         $ 8,375

Books: Prior to the start of the term, students are provided with a list of required books, all of which are available for purchase through major retailers.

Refund Policies:
A student who starts class and officially withdraws before the term is 15% completed will be obligated for 25% of the tuition plus the application and registration fees.
A student who starts class and officially withdraws before the term is 30% completed will be obligated for 50% of the tuition plus the application and registration fees.
A student who starts class and officially withdraws before the term is 40% completed will be obligated for 75% of the tuition plus the application and registration fees.
A student who starts class and officially withdraws after the term is 40% completed will not be entitled to a refund.

Professional Nanny Curriculum

A selection of courses that are part of the in-depth, current and hands-on training our nannies receive:
 

American Red Cross Courses
Child abuse awareness, communicable diseases, driving safety and infant, child and adult first aid, AED and CPR

Animal Safety
Safety and awareness around pets and wild animals

Art Appreciation
Art appreciation for young children, including how to make trips to the museum fun and educational

Baby Sign Language

Child Development
In-depth study of the stages of development for preemies through preteen; growth and development in the areas of cognitive, social, emotional and physical development with appropriate behavioral management theories at each stage

Communication
How to talk with and teach children effectively; promotion of open communication with your employer

Computer Skills
Ergonomics, age-appropriate games, computer and online safety, research, homework and fun

Creative Play
Theories and definitions of play including nature vs. nurture, arts and crafts, finger plays, games (large motor, small motor, board and card), math, science, dramatic play, performing arts and music; the benefits of interactive and independent play; practical hours of instruction in a leading preschool

Field Trips
Children’s Museum, Babies R Us, Natural History Museum, nature center, science museum and library

Health
Pediatric visits, immunizations, wellness, signs and symptoms of illness, SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome

Healthful Eating and Nutrition
Infant breast milk vs. formula, infant baby foods, introduction of new foods, allergies, age-appropriate meals, packing lunches, basic nutritional guidelines and creative, fun meals that kids will eat and can participate in making; includes cooking  demonstrations and hands-on time in kitchen lab

Household Childproofing

Household Management
Basic kitchen skills, laundry and stain removal, ironing, light house cleaning and products and household shopping; hands-on time in home economics lab

In-Home Work Experience
Experience with infants and older children; interactions with all family members for a typical work experience and evaluations

Independent Cumulative Learning Project
All aspects of planning and successfully completing an educational fun outing with a child, incorporating all major class areas and presented to the class

Independent Portfolio Development
Presentation and interview enhancement

Infant Care
Preemies, cord care, circumcision, bathing and infant massage, dressing, clothing, swaddling, diapers, rash prevention, feeding (breast vs. bottle), sleep adjustment, equipment, stimulation, calming methods, colic, current concepts and sibling adjustment

Injury Prevention
Home safety (indoor, outdoors), poison prevention, fire safety, vehicle safety, temperatures, water safety (pool, beach, lake, boating), bicycle and playground

Learning Styles
Various styles and methods of learning (i.e. visual, oral) and how to recognize signs of learning disabilities

Life Skills and Professionalism
Career management, résumés, interviewing techniques and contracts; personal banking and insurance; professionalism in appearance and self marketing, and living with a family (self protection and work-related boundaries)

Literacy for Children
How to choose books that are age appropriate and encourage imagination and education; making books, sharing books and reading aloud; benefits of the library and interactive story time

Music
Songs for education and play at various ages; basic instruments for young children

Parenting Classes
Participation in community classes practicing skills in communication with parents and interaction with infants and toddlers

Personal Safety
Personal awareness and self defense

Physical Education
Developmental physical activities for children including yoga and interactive stroller fitness

Postpartum Care of the Mother
Signs and symptoms of normal postpartum care and illness; C-section recovery and illness; emotional aspects of giving birth and what to expect from the recovering mother; sleep deprivation, episiotomy and hemorrhoid care; role of sleep, rest, hydration and healthy nutrition

Sewing Basics
Mending, sewing buttons and fun projects and crafts with which to engage children

Special Needs
Signs and symptoms of common special needs (i.e. ADD, ADHD, autism) and availability of programs and resources

Speech and Hearing
Common speech and hearing issues in children

Twins, Triplets and Multiples
Unique challenges of caring for multiples

Student Life and Housing

Host Family Program
Qualified local families provide room and board, serve as the student’s work experience evaluating family, and let students gain first-hand knowledge of live-in placement options while saving on living expenses.

Rental apartments
Many short-term leases of furnished and unfurnished apartments are available in the vicinity.

Local area
Situated in the upscale Cleveland suburb of Solon, Ohio, Alexandria School is convenient to many local dining, shopping and recreation options, and is just 20 minutes away from downtown Cleveland.