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

National Association for Family Child Care

http://nafcc.org/

This association is dedicated to promoting quality family child care by helping state and local associations through professional accreditation, advocating for provider’s needs , and to promote diversity through training family child care professionals.  This organization strives to provide resources to family child care programs in an effort to increase high quality learning experiences including appropriate curriculum and comprehensive services for the children and their families. 

Their vision is to help increase access to professional development, compensation that reflects their experience and achievements, and help providers meet licensing requirements.

 This association interested me because the focus is to help providers increase their professional development and create high quality childcare.  They are an important part of our communities and provide a large portion of care to children, giving them the opportunity to increase the quality of care is critical to the families and children within the communities they serve.

One of the jobs listed is an Observer:

Below is the job description and the skills needed .

An Observer must meet the following criteria:
	1.	Be an individual member of NAFCC
	2.	Be at least 21 years of age
	3.	Be NAFCC Accredited if a family child care provider
	4.	Successfully complete required training
	5.	Successfully complete reliable observations once assigned
	6.	Meet all of the requirements in one of the four combinations of education and experience outlined below:
		A.	Six semester hours of study from an accredited college or university covering children ages birth through school-age. At least eight years experience working as a family child care provider or someone who has worked closely with family child care.
		B.	Twelve semester hours of study from an accredited college or university covering children ages birth through age five. At least six years experience working as a family child care provider or someone who has worked closely with family child care.
		C.	Associate (two-year) degree in early childhood education/child development or a related field from an accredited college or university. Courses must include at least 12 semester hours covering children ages birth through age five. At least four years experience working as a family child care provider or someone who has worked closely with family child care.
		D.	Baccalaureate degree in early childhood education/child development or a related field from an accredited college or university. Courses must include at least 12 semester hours covering children ages birth through age five.

 

Council for Professional Recognition

http://www.cdacouncil.org/

I found this site during our week 3 application, it’s mission is to improve performance of professionals.  Its vision is to make sure that all professionals in the early childhood field met the development, emotional and educational needs of children.  This organization administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) credentialing Program which helps early childhood professionals in all types of early child care programs.

I started with my CDA back in the early 1990’s, I took the classes up at Bemidji State University once I got this certification I was hired by Head Start as a Home Visitor.  it was the beginning of my journey and gave me a great foundation for my future professional development. It is a great start for many people when they are looking at the early childhood field. 

I found two jobs the first is an Advisor: (below is the job requirements)

A. PERSONAL

·         Affirm their ability to relate to people of various racial, ethnic, and socio-economic backgrounds.

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

·         Be familiar with the center where the Candidate will be observed and with the needs of families and children in the community.

B. EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

·         Hold 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 5years.

C. PRACTICAL 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.

 

The other position is a manager of Early Childhood

The qualifications are listed:

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent; Master’s degree preferred, and relevant supervisory or management work experience.

2. Effective decision-making in the context of the Council’s goals/objectives/policies/etc.

3. Strong supervisory and leaderships skills.

4. Skilled and timely management of projects and initiatives.

5. Ability to respect/work well with all levels of personnel.

6. Ability to analyze and solve problems.

7. Ability to communicate clearly.

8. Detail oriented.

9. Assumes responsibility for outcomes; accountability.

10. Excellent time management skills.

11. Commitment to the goals/vision of the Council.

 

National Education Association (early childhood)

http://www.nea.org/home/18163.htm

 

This site is a great site to find out recent research and current events going on in the educational field.  The jobs listed are more business and Website work and I truly am not interested in this type of work.  But this site is a great resource for early childhood professionals.