Jobs/Roles in the ECE Community: National/Federal Level

Illinois Network of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (INCCRRA)
Excelerate Illinois
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)

The “quality rating and improvement system gives [centers] a process for pursuing quality efforts that will help [them] learn more, do better and improve developmental skills among the children [they] impact.  ExceleRate Illinois also provides standards, guidelines, resources and supports to help [them] make sensible changes that lead to better quality outcomes” (Excelerate Illinois, 2014).

This program is a circle of quality ratings that gives centers a standard for early childhood programs and professionalism. Each circle (Bronze, Silver and Gold) has their own set of standards and achievements that are recognized by NAEYC and the National Accreditation Center.

Training and Technical Assistance Specialist
McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership
(http://mccormickcenter.nl.edu/job-listing/training-and-technical-assistance-specialist-2/)

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University seeks an individual interested in full-time employment as state- certified Training and Technical Assistance Specialist. The ability to speak Spanish is required. This individual will assess the Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool for All Children 3-5 Years Old programs for compliance and quality improvement and the Illinois Department of Human Services early childhood programs in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Additionally, the certified Assessor will conduct program quality assessments using the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R, ITERS-R, SACERS, FCCERS-R), CLASS, Programs Administration Scale (PAS), Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) and compliance checklists.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to speak Spanish.
• Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree desired, in early childhood education or related field.
• Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education.
• Experience working in an early childhood programs.
• Willingness to travel around the state of Illinois.
• Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills.

I believe that I could do this job unfortunately I am not proficient in speaking Spanish.

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

“The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation was established in 1991 to encourage quality and recognize excellence in early childhood programs throughout the United States and other countries.  We pledge to remain focused on the interests of children by promoting benchmarks for high quality standards throughout the early care and education profession.  We are ‘The Next Generation in Accreditation’" (NECPA, 2014).

NECPA is another accreditation program that makes sure that all early childhood centers are high quality programs with high quality staff for the children and families that attend those centers.  I would like to work as an agent to go to early childhood centers to verify that they are following licensing standards.

Verifier
National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)
http://www.necpa.net/verifierapply.php

Responsibilities & Expectations

The role of an NECPA Verifier is physically demanding, as well as emotionally. Anticipate lengthy work days with minimal breaks on a verification visit. Verifiers will maintain a respectful demeanor and adhere to NECPA Commission policies and procedures. Verifiers will be evaluated by the program director upon the completion of each verification visit. Applicants qualified for candidature meet and execute Verifier requirements essential to the position.

Qualifications:

The site never really states the exact qualifications needed but I believe that a verifier should have the following:

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood or related field

·       Experience at an early childhood center

·       Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education

·       Willing to travel via airplane or car (overnights)

·       Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds.

• Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet.
• Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills.

As a verifier we do have to conduct at least three (3) verification visits a year and remain conflict free with those centers they are verifying.  I believe that this is a position that I could do in order to ensure that the children and families are receiving high quality care.

 

Child Care Aware
National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
http://www.naccrra.org/

Our Mission

To promote national policies and partnerships to advance the development and learning of all children and to provide vision, leadership and support to community Child Care Resource and Referral (NACCRRA, 2014)

Professional Development Coordinator

Professional development coordinators help teachers and programs assess, plan and achieve personal professional development goals. They serve as community leaders and catalysts for professional development opportunities to meet the needs of the early childhood and school-age workforce (Child Care Services, 2008).

 

I am an advocate for teachers advancing their education; whether they go back to school or they receive professional development training. As a professional development coordinator I can ensure that all teachers continue their education in order to deliver high quality education to their students and their families.

Qualifications

·       Graduate Degree in Early Childhood, Child Development, or Youth Development

·       good written and oral communication skills

·       be able to collaborate, plan and partner with other agencies and institutions providing professional development opportunities

·       be able to provide professional development opportunities on a wide variety of topics

·       know how to provide follow-up support

·       document and evaluate services provided

·       advocate for policies, standards, practices and efforts necessary for ensuring and retaining a well-educated, compensated, and skilled early childhood workforce

(Child Care Services, 2008)

 

References:

 

Child Care Services. (2008) Careers in Early Childhood: A North Carolina Directory. 3^rd Edition. Chapel Hill, NC

Excelerate Illinois. (2014). ExceleRate Illinois: Preparing Children for Success Retrieved from http://excelerateillinois.com/

NACCRRA. (2014). Child Care Aware of America: Our Mission. Retrieved from http://www.naccrra.org/

NECPA (2014). National Early Childhood Program Accreditation: About Us. Retrieved from www.necpa.net

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

There are several career options that I would like to get into.  Here are a few that I was able to find that are currently available for me to apply to.  These are also ones that I realize that I need to improve my education beyond getting my Masters Degree.

Training and Technical Assistance Specialist

Description

The McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University seeks an individual interested in full-time employment as state- certified Training and Technical Assistance Specialist. This individual will assess the Early Childhood Block Grant Preschool for All Children 3-5 Years Old programs for compliance and quality improvement and the Illinois Department of Human Services early childhood programs in the Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). Additionally, the certified Assessor will conduct program quality assessments using the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R, ITERS-R, SACERS, FCCERS-R), CLASS, Programs Administration Scale (PAS), Business Administration Scale for Family Child Care (BAS) and compliance checklists.

Mandatory Job Qualifications

Achieve 85% reliability on the various assessment tools following a two-month training period, and maintain reliability on the scales and tools during employment; Generate highly detailed summary reports of each setting visited; Maintain a professional and ethical demeanor; Perform all duties in a manner that reflects the mission and vision of the McCormick Center for Early Childhood Leadership at National Louis University.

Desired Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree required, master’s degree desired, in early childhood education or related field. Knowledge of best practices in early childhood education. Experience working in an early childhood programs. Willingness to travel around the state of Illinois. Ability to relate to individuals from culturally diverse backgrounds. Must be detail-oriented and have strong oral and written communication skills. Must have a working knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Internet access, and be comfortable using e-mail and entering data on a PC tablet. Ability to speak Spanish is required.

My Thoughts

This would be a job that I am interested in working at because I will be able to work with and access area child care centers.  I have most of the qualifications for this job but I do not speak Spanish fluently.

 

Education Director
Governors State University

Job Description

Direct and manage all aspects of the education program for the Family Development Center. Assure the implementation of a developmentally appropriate, NAEYC accredited education program, using an emergent, project oriented curriculum. Assure that all aspects of Head Start Performance Standards, ISBE Common Core Standards, NAEYC accreditation standards, and DCFS 407 integrated into the schedule and curriculum. Acts as Director designee when Executive/Child Care Director is off site. Direct the Evening and School Age child care programs.  

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a Bachelor's degree with coursework equivalent to a major (minimum of 30 semester hours) in Early Childhood Education or Child Development with three years full time work experience supervising staff working with families with young children.
b. At least one year experience in a supervisory position
c. Successful Job history with progressively increasing responsibility.
d. Requires a background of working with children, families and low-income groups. Requires the ability to successfully complete a background check and a medical examination upon offer of employment.
e. Requires the ability to travel area-wide, and to access classroom sites and family homes to evaluate program activities. Requires ability to travel overnight for training and agency representation at professional meetings.
f. Requires minimum age of twenty-one (21) years to comply with regulations.
g. Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
h. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
I. Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
j. Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
k. Must possess a pleasing personality and ability to establish and maintain rapport with families and staff
l. Skill in Microsoft Office for Windows with an emphasis on Excel and Word  

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Special Education, Child Development or related field.
Type 04 teaching license
Experience working in Early Head Start or Head Start
Experience in programs working with Infants and toddlers

My Thoughts

 I would love to work for a local College or University that has an early childhood facility on site.  I have most of the qualifications to work here except for the biggest qualifications needed to work at the facility, which is having my Type 04 teaching license and experience working with a Head Start Program.

CDA PD Specialist
Child Development Associates/Professional Development Specialist

Description

CDA PD Specialist brings the mentoring/coaching skills and ECE expertise needed to assess the CDA Credential Candidate's competencies and facilitate the Candidate's self-reflection

Requirements

PERSONAL

·        Must be able to relate to people of various racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

·        Must be knowledgeable about local, state, and national requirements and standards for child care programs serving children aged birth through 5 years.

·        Must be able to schedule and conduct Verification Visits during normal operating hours of early childhood programs

·        PD Specialists conducting bilingual Verification Visits must be bilingual.

·        PD Specialists conducting monolingual Verification Visits must speak the language of the assessment.

EDUCATION

·        MUST hold a minimum of a Baccalaureate or Associate degree from an accredited college or university in one of the following disciplines:
- Early Childhood Education/Child Development
- Elementary Education/Early Childhood Education
- Home Economics/Child Development

·        The degree must include, at minimum, 18 semester or 24 quarter hours of coursework in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, studying children birth through 5 years.

EXPERIENCE

Option 1 For those with a Baccalaureate degree, two years in a child care setting serving children from birth to 5 years of age to include:

·        One year working directly with children as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role and one year facilitating the professional growth of at least one other adult.

Option 2 For those with an Associate degree, four years in a child care setting serving children from birth to 5 years of age, to include:

·        Two years working directly with children as a caregiver, teacher, child life worker, social worker, or similar role and two years facilitating the professional growth of at least one other adult.

My Thoughts

I am interested in this position because I can work with area teachers, guiding them in the Child Development Association Credential.  I also would like to conduct classes within my own district and cooperation to teacher assistants who are looking to improve their education in the early childhood field.