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