Students are required to demonstrate competency in the following areas: health and safety, interaction with children, implementation of curriculum, personal qualities, professionalism and working with staff. These are aligned to NAEYC Associate Degree Standards. Students are required to respond to weekly journals through the Blackboard Online System. Students are also required to complete a minimum of 96 clock hours of observation and working with young children. Of those 96 clock hours, 13 hours of observation are required in additional mandatory childcare sites. Students must have completed the required paperwork for these observations and be employed or volunteer in a licensed childcare facility in order to apply the skills learned in the previous three courses. Observation of the student’s work and evaluation of student skills are conducted by instructors.