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

National organizations and federal agencies

One organization that appealed to me is the National Black Child Development Institute. This is a national organization with affiliates in different states. The mission of this organization is To improve and advance the quality of life for Black children and their families through education and advocacy. This organization serves as a national resource agency by partnering with children, families and other organizations to implement culturally-relevant and research-based programs. These programs promote literacy by ensuring that children are reading proficiently by third grade. Health is promoted by engaging children three to five years old in healthy eating and physical activity. This is done by introducing children to a diverse range of fruits and vegetables, and engaging them in active play. The Parent Empowerment Program uses meaningful, culturally-relevant activities to help parents reflect on and strengthen their parenting practices, and promote healthy relationship between parents and children. It also helps them to reinforce their sense of pride and confidence in themselves, their community, their culture and their history; and to bond with and learn from other parents/families. The organization also engages parents/families in advocacy and trainings related to early childhood care and education, while advocating at the local, state and federal levels for better, stronger and more effective policies for children whose ages range from 0 to 8. I have chosen this organization because at the school where I work, the majority of the students are of minority background. The organization would be of benefit to the families because of the work it does in advocating at the local, state and federal levels for policies that support and promote equity, excellence and effectiveness for minorities; and the resources which it offers. Although this organization has no job opportunities I have joined it and have become a member. In this way I would be able to share with families the information which I receive.

Another organization which appealed to me is Child Care Aware of America. This is a national membership based non-profit organization which works to advance affordability, accessibility, development and learning of children in health care. The organization works in collaboration with national Child Care Resource and Referral agencies to achieve its vision and mission. The organization’s vision is to ensure that every family in the United States has access to a high quality, affordable childcare system, and that the childcare system supports children’s growth, development and educational advancement, and creates positive economic impact for families and communities. Child Care Aware of America provides information, referrals and resources to families who seek child care. It places special emphasis on helping vulnerable and special populations including refugees, military families and low income families. The organization provides both parents/families and child care providers with information about child care; and referrals to local child care and referral agencies where they can receive individualized assistance. It also provides child care providers with access to resources for their child care program. Other information with which the organization supplies families concerns eligibility and access to funding such as Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and other federal grants, tips on how to form an advocacy group, free child care for members of the military and other persons who meet a special criteria, healthy and safe child care funding, and grant funding efforts to help create healthy environments for children to learn and grow in. I am impressed with this organization because it assists not only families but also child care providers. By doing so it is ensuring that childcare providers have the necessary qualifications and resources to supply families with quality childcare.

Child Care Aware of America has a few job listings. The one that appealed to me is the Pre k Instructional Strategy coach. I have taught pre k for many years and have done so in different schools in a few states. Each of the schools in which I taught used different curriculums I think this would be a great job for me.

The job requirement is 3-5 years’ experience and a Bachelor’s degree. The skills are as follows:

• Establish a rapport with each Pre-K publicly funded program.
• Maintain relationships with Paths to QUALITY Coaches to ensure collaborative

coaching efforts.

• Support the implementation of high quality teaching and instructional practices for

the purpose of enhancing the powerful impact of teacher-child interactions and

intentional approaches.

• Develops and maintains positive, supportive relationships with program staff for the

purpose of supporting teacher growth through coaching process.

• Utilizes coaching components for the purpose of assessing needs, engaging in

focused observations and providing reflection and feedback in order to set goals and

develop action plans.

• Provides constructive feedback and onsite support for teaching practices for the

purpose of increasing teacher confidence and competence.  This may include

modeling, co-teaching, observing and providing resources.

• Gather and record data as required in the statewide system.
• Attends all meetings and required trainings as pertains to the position.
• Makes appropriate referrals, when necessary, to state and local agencies.

 

 

Zero to Three is my third organization of choice. Its mission is to ensure that all babies/infants and toddlers have a strong start in life, and that the society has the knowledge and will to support them in reaching their full potential. Some topics of focus are early development and well-being, early learning, parenting and policy and advocacy. The organization promotes good health, strong families, and positive early learning experiences for all infants and toddlers, with special emphasis on those who are the most vulnerable and in need. It also focuses on the importance of home visits. Zero to Three

endeavors to ensure that babies and toddlers have a strong start in life by supporting parents with practical resources and assisting with basic needs, by ensuring that professionals acquire knowledge and tools that help them support healthy early development and by supporting policymakers in advancing comprehensive and coherent policies which support and strengthen families, caregivers and infant toddler professionals. I have chosen this organization because it offers information and tools to support parents in developing their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development, and because of the emphasis which it places on all round early care and development. Policy and Advocacy also appealed to me.

 

They were numerous job postings at this organization. One of the jobs that appealed to me is the Early Childhood Home Visiting Program Supervisor. The responsibilities include:

·       – Supervise, train, and evaluate Home Visitors as they provide curriculum and services to children and ·              families. ·       – Monitor enrollment, attendance, and participation in services. ·       – Assist in the development, monitoring, and evaluation of program policies, procedures and curriculum. ·       – Ensure maintenance of accurate, up-to-date records. ·       – Prepare reports on progress toward program goals and service delivery. ·       – Work with community partners to coordinate child development services. ·       – Assist with the coordination of parent and staff activities and other events. ·       – Represent the program and agency to parents and the community.

Qualifications: ·       – Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or equivalent field. ·       – Three years’ experience working in Early Head Start, Head Start or other type of home visiting ·              program. ·       – Working knowledge of Creative Curriculum, Learning Games and/or Parents as Teachers preferred. ·       –   At least one year of experience in a supervisory or management role in a Head Start or Early Head ·              Start Program preferred. ·       – Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred. ·       – Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively with a wide range of audiences. ·       – Valid driver’s license, insurance, and reliable transportation required.

 

I like the description of the job. The only aspect I am missing is the one-year experience in the supervisory or management role.

 

The other position that appealed to me is Pre School Teacher. The skills required are as follows: – –     Communicate and work cooperatively and respectfully with all team-members.
Coordinate responsibilities with a team of teachers to develop consistent programming between classes.
Create learning experiences that support an emergent and inquiry-based curriculum.

 

The requirements for the job are :-

– Bachelor’s degree required.

– Minimum of 12 early childhood education units.

– California Associate Teacher Child Development Permit, or eligibility for a permit.

– Degree in Early childhood Education or related field preferred.

– Minimum of one year of teaching experience with children ages 6 weeks to 5 years.
Candidates for this position should submit: 1) a cover letter; 2) a philosophy statement; 3) a short description of a student project; 4) a resume; and 5) contact information for three to five references.

 

All three of these organizations have information that would be of great value to early childhood families.

 

References

Child Care of America. Retrieved from http://www.usa.childcareaware.org/

National Black Child Development Institute. Retrieved from https://www.nbcdi.org/

ZERO TO THREE: National Center for Infants, Toddlers, and Families.  Retrieved from https://www.zerotothree.org/