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

Last time we blogged, we looked at State and local organizations, this week we are researching National and Federal employment opportunities. The three organizations that are of interest to me in the early childhood field are, National Child Care Association, Center for Child Care Workforce (CCW) and, National association for the education of young children (NAEYC). 

The National child care of Association (NCCA) is an organization with our nation’s children at heart; the NCCA supports policies that are beneficial to children and always seek to find out if policy or regulation is good for our children (National Child Care Association, n.d.). That is why I chose them, and the fact that they stand behind educators; “NCCA is committed to a high quality, skilled, and trained work force with the highest salaries and benefits based upon the free market place, demographics and competition”(National Child Care Association, n.d.). I really do believe that we are better off because of them.

The Center for Child Care Workforce (CCW) mission is to ensure that all children receive quality early care and education by promoting policy, research and making sure that the professionals and caregivers in early care and education are highly educated, receives appropriate salary and benefits and are heard in their workplace. They see to leadership and advocacy skills development so that there is respect and value to those in the work force (Center for Child Care Workforce, n.d.) I chose the CCW because I see it as an organization that stands for the welfare of children and the empowerment of early childhood professionals by building their leadership and other necessary skills.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization whose major goal is to promote high-quality early education for all children, birth through age 8. They do this by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research. They embrace a diverse and vibrant early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children ((NAEYC, n.d.). I chose them because I see where they bring about the needed change in the lives of children and families, and those who dedicate their lives to serving in the field.

Upon earning my degree I would like to pursue employment for jobs such as:

Director of an early childhood program

Family/ classroom counselor

Family and community liaison personnel

These jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree with skills ranging from: knowledge of early childhood field, leadership/ management skills, experience working with young children, experience working with diverse population, computer skills, excellent communication skills, knowledge of early childhood codes and regulations, and strong knowledge of code of ethics and behavioral standards.

References

Center for Child Care Workforce. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.ccw.org/

National Child Care Association. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.nccanet.org/

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). Retrieved November 28, 2011, from http://www.naeyc.org/

This week my blog assignment was to choose three organizations /communities of practice, either state or local, or in a state I would like to live. When I started teachers’ college I wanted to do early childhood education, by the time I was registered the EC program was discontinued. I wanted to connect with students in a life changing way so I chose Home Economics. A couple years after college, one of my professors informed me that I should apply to do the bachelors program in ECE at another college. I was excited but was turned down because I was not an early childhood teacher. A few years later I got the opportunity to attend an exchange program and was placed at Minneapolis Head start program for my field experience, I loved it and that is why I am here at Walden doing the Ms in ECS.

I am getting ready to move to Washington DC and is very excited about seeking employment in one of those organizations that supports EC. My choices are; Head start, NAEYC and Zero to three .I have learned a lot during this program, about various organizations that support early childhood. I have membership with a couple of them and will join others as I go along. I quickly came to trust and depend on the resources and information that I am able to get from the NAEYC of which I have the longest membership, a trustworthy community of practice. The websites for these organizations carry a wealth of resources, also information about professional development and training opportunities.

The first organization I choose is The Georgia Head Start Association, Inc. (GHSA, 2015) I believe in the work that the organization is doing to provide the kind of leadership that supports the delivery of, a high quality education and advocacy to children and families in the state of Georgia. Being a nonprofit organization, many families who would not otherwise benefit is able to receive the kind of quality services that is second to none. There are 31 Head Start and Early Head Start agencies across the state of Georgia, providing services to over 25,000 low-income preschool children birth through five-years-old and their families. Apart from its mission that is reflected in its work, I also trust its vision of being that positive voice for low income families all across Georgia (GHSA, 2007). There are no current job openings but I will continue to monitor the website for opportunities for employment in this great organization.

          The second organization that interests me is the NAEYC. I believe whole heartedly in the mission and vision statements, and I also believe in their values and beliefs. NAEYC is committed and determined to see that every young child is given the opportunities to reach his/her full potential. The organization promotes high-quality early learning, and they support all professionals care giver and educator that work with young children. The NAEYC website provides a link that can connect its readers to many valuable resources. There is a link that connects us with all the available positions for those of us who are seeking jobs to work for the NAEYC organization. I am excited because most of these positions are located at the headquarters in Washington DC. Positions available were; Communication specialists, Program Analysts, Early Childhood Education Specialists

Some of the required skills listed included; experience working in programs serving children, leadership skills, communication skills, experience in community organizing, and computer skills/ IT skills.

The third that I chose is Zero to Three, which is a national, nonprofit organization that is concerned with the wellbeing of babies in the 0 -3 age range. The organization is a source where parents are able to gain knowledge and expertise in nurturing their children’s early development appropriately and confidently. The organization does not only support parents but is also for policy makers and other professional who seek knowledge in their efforts of nurturing early development. I choose this organization because they believe that if babies succeed, then this contributes to building stronger families, more productive communities, and an overall strong economy. Their mission, their focus is for all babies to have equal opportunity for a strong start from the beginning of life. For thirty years they have been doing a yearly national training institute to meet the needs of those working in early childhood education with infants and toddlers , early Intervention, mental health, early head start, child welfare, parent education, and pediatrics (Zero to Three, 2015).

With reference to job opportunities, there were limited available positions which were mostly outside of my interest.  Senior Policy Analyst, Communications Manager. Again required skills included, experience in serving children, leadership skills, communication skills, experience in community organizing, and computer skills/ IT skills.

References

GHSA,(2015).Georgia Head Start Association. Retrieved from www.georgiaheadstart.org/

NAEYC, (2015). The national association for the education of young children. Retrieved

     From www.naeyc.org

Zero to Three, (2015). Zero to Three. Retrieved from www.zerotothree.org