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

The three national and federal organizations that appeal to me are The National Association of Child Care Resources and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA), National Child Care Association (NCCA), and American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS).  These three sites provide me with different insights to increase the quality of care for childcare centers.

The NACCRRA is the nation’s leading voice for childcare.  They work to achieve their mission to lead projects that increase the quality of childcare in more than 600 state and local childcare and resource agencies nationwide.  They believe that all children have the rights to be cared for in safe, healthy, and nurturing environments.  In addition, to have access to early learning experiences that will help them be ready for kindergarten.  Therefore, I chose this agency because they focus on the goal I want for all childcare centers in our community and the nation.  The NACCRRA will provide me with updated information regarding the expectations for high quality childcare, along with valuable state, federal, and local community representatives that I can add to my community of Practice.

Then there is the NCCA that focus on the need of licensed childcare centers to promote growth and safety for all children.  They ensure opportunities for the private sector in the changes of state, federal, and local policies to make childcare high quality for all.  I chose this website for a reference site because they give me contacts to personnel concerning the government and allow for our community of practice to voice our opinion on the policies that are up for changes or any new policies that affect childcare.    

The last one that I could find that is beneficial to my community of practice is the AAFCS.  This organization brings people together to improve the lives of families, communities, and individuals.  This organization can give our community of practice insight on the needs of families, individuals, and communities concerning childcare.  I found the articles very open to the need of quality childcare in communities to make changes in individual and family education for the future.

As I looked for job opportunities available for me now, I ran into a position for an Instructional Assistant at a community college to teach Early Childhood Education Courses.  I applied for the position however; the qualifications include a pre-kindergarten license, which I do not have.  I just have my experience for the last 20 years of head start and other years working in elementary schools.  In addition, they want you to have current drivers license, which I have.  Another opportunity that I ran across was an early childhood education trainer for action for children but I have not applied due to the reason that the position is only temporary through a six-month contract.  I would like to find a way to become a certified educator and step up to quality trainer.

 Reference

http://www.naccrra.org/policy/state_licensing/ National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies

http://www.nccanet.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=7 National Child Care Association

http://www.aafcs.org/Advocacy/childcare.asp American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences (AAFCS

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three state or local organizations that I found within Ohio are the Ohio Association for the Education for Young Children, Action for Children, and Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association. These three organizations specialize in the growth and well-being of young children. I have an affiliation of each one for the past twenty years.

Ohio association for the Education for Young Children is a web site and organization that childcare workers are to be a member. This organization gives you professional trainings, new trends and updates in quality care for young children. In addition, it provides an opportunity to meet and socialize with other early childhood professionals.

Action for Children is a non-profit organization that brings high quality care to all childcare centers. They focus on a program called Step-Up-To-Quality. The program allows childcare centers to move in steps to achieve high quality care while providing assistants to the centers to achieve the highest level of a Star 3 rating. My center is a Star 2 rating. The ratings look at the classroom environment, agency protocols to maintain high quality, and the professional development of Staff. It is an honor to be in this program from the state licensing.

Then there is Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral association. This association is a professional development association. All early childhood educators can maintain their trainings in a permanent file and use it as they increase their education levels and carry it from one agency to another without having paper files. It also, provides access to enrolling in trainings throughout local counties within a twenty-five mile area to meet the needs of the step-Up-to-Quality requirements for high quality childcare. In addition, it links to the State licensing board for child Care centers.

If you are interested in these programs visit their websites:

http://www.oaeyc.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3313 (Ohio Association for the Education for Young Children)

http://www.actionforchildren.org/  (Action for Children)

http://www.occrra.org/ (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association)

Job opportunities that interest me are at Columbus State Community College in Early Childhood Development as a Professor, Department of Education as Preschool Program Coordinator, and an Early Childhood Trainer in quality childcare requirements through the Ohio State Childcare Licensing Agency. The reason I focus my career toward these aspects is to make a change in the quality of care for young children.

In order for me fulfill these roles the requirements are to have experience in the field of early childhood and to have a masters degree in Early Childhood. In addition, have well-written and verbal communication, child development knowledge, and able to manage group successfully. I have the skills and experience to fulfill all of the needed requirements to make the career change.