August 2010

1. August 2010 North Carolina Early Educator Certification

2. Session Overview NC Institute for Child Development Professionals Early Educator Certification defined Certification numbers to date Mandatory Certification Implementation and application details Renewal Benefits Future plans Contact info

3. NC Institute for Child Development Professionals (Institute) Non-profit with mission to advocate for and develop a comprehensive early childhood professional development system Board Task Groups & Committees Partner participation Hundreds of volunteers annually Thousands in E-network Services Systems development, outreach, trainings, webinars, resources & NC Early Educator Certification (EEC)

4. What is Early Educator Certification? Early Educator Certification (EEC)is acknowledgement of an individual’s verified level of educational achievement, based on a standardized scale.

5. Mirroring other Occupations Public School teachers have it! Tree Growers have it! Plumbers have it! Bug Exterminators have it! Hairdressers have it! Nurses have it!

6. Group mission or identity Standards of behavior and practice Specialized body of knowledge Set of skills Individual certification …and salary supplements Creating a Profession

7. Over 9,700 Certified! All 100 counties represented! 9,771 certified 9,700 ECE Scale, 71 SA Scale By Role (at time of application) 7,502 teaching (608 indicate some time with school age) 863 administrative 217 combined teaching/administrative (108 indicate some time with school age) 983 small home providers (682 indicate some time with school age) 206 on behalf, other, student or not yet employed in child care

8. Exciting News! On August 2, 2010, a new law was passed affecting all child care facilities licensed by the North Carolina Division of Child Development. The law requires all teaching staff, administrators and family child care home providers working in or operating a licensed child care facility to be by the NC Institute for Child Development Professionals.

9. Why? • Provides a “one stop shop” for educational review which will increase efficiency and reduce paperwork • Establishes a system of individual provider recognition • Creates a streamlined education evaluation process

10. Who does this affect?

11. Implementation & Application Two Certification Scales Early Care and Education (ECE) Professional Scale School Age (SA) Professional Scale Application Who? How? Cost Implementation facts Certification materials

12. What is certification based upon? Official transcripts are assessed against a leveled scale. Two scales are available: Early Care and Education Professional Scale and School Age Professional Scale.

13. What does the scale look like? A place for everyone on the scale 14 levels, including PP, on the scales Early Care and Education Scale is designed for individuals working with or on behalf of children ages’ birth to five. The SA Scale is designed for individuals working with or on behalf of children ages five to twelve who are served in school age care settings. Levels 1 - 13 require education from regionally accredited colleges or universities

14. Who can apply for EEC? For free, thanks to DCD: First come, first served through September 30, 2010 Up to 9,000 individuals working in licensed child care facilities in teaching or administrative positions. For a reduced fee: From October 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010 there will be a reduced fee for individuals working in licensed child care facilities in teaching or administrative positions. For a fee: Those working for or on the behalf of children ages birth to twelve that do not qualify for a grant The $50 fee will be applicable for everyone as of January 1, 2011.

15. How do I apply? Submit application education documentation Official transcripts DCD Transcript Release Form Internet Permission Form $50/$65 fee (as applicable)

16. What else do I need to know? Level is based on education earned, not a specific certification class No test required Does not replace licensure Required by law

17. What do I receive? Official, frame-ready certificate Professional Personalized Leveled Silver & gold seals Individual Certification card List of EEC Rewards

18. What does my EEC documentation look like?

20. Renewal • Certificate expires • Validity periods • Requirements • Cost

21. What is a validity period?

22. What is renewal based on? Formal, credit bearing education or Continuing Education Units Mirroring public school teacher requirements for ongoing education

23. What continuing education is required? Certified professionals must complete four (4) formal college credits* or six (6) Continuing Education Units (CEUs), or a combination of the two. CEUs must be at least .5 credits (5 contact hours) to count for renewal. *Individuals certified with fewer than six focus semester hours who choose to take formal coursework toward renewal must take classes in their content area.

24. What continuing education is required? Professionals certified at levels 10 (BA/BS plus or including 12 birth to five focused semester hours) and above might receive credit for teaching a CEU session for a minimum of 5 contact hours that meets renewal requirements.* Professionals certified at levels 12 or 13 may also receive credit for teaching formal coursework that meets renewal requirements. * The same CEU session or formal course may only receive credit toward renewal once per validity period.

25. What is a Continuing Education Unit? The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized measure of participation in an approved non-credit continuing education program. One Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is defined as ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience under responsible sponsorship, capable direction, and qualified instruction.

26. CEU requirements for EEC Fall under one of DCD’s Nine Topic Areas: 1. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment 2. Children’s physical & intellectual development 3. Children’s social & emotional development 4. Productive relationships with families 5. Program management 6. Professionalism 7. Observing & recording children’s behavior 8. Child growth development 9. Inclusion of children with special needs

27. CEU requirements for EEC Issued by one of the following Regionally accredited College/University NC DPI IACET (International Association for Continuing Education and Training) members (www.iacet.org)

28. How much does it cost? Self-supporting system For initial certification $50 on one scale and $65 on both scales For renewal $25 on one scale and $35 on both scales (if prior to deadline) No charge to submit additional education EEC Rewards 15% Discount School Supply 20% Barnes and Noble 25% Borders 15% Kaplan 20% Kids Like Us Free admission to Winston Salem Children’s Museum More in process!!

29. Numerous Benefits Personal/workforce Program Children & families System

30. Workforce Benefits Today • Recognition • Professional Certification • Tied to compensation for salary supplement recipients • No charge for grant funded certifications

31. Child & Family Benefits Encourages an increase in teacher education which has been shown to reduce child abuse and neglect in regulated child care settings. Impacts child dependents of workforce participants as early childhood educators model accomplishment of professional goals and responsibilities, and demonstrate participation in professional activities. Provides evidence of teacher education.

32. Program Benefits Serves as a workforce recruitment tool for the early childhood field Improves cost-efficiency

33. Systems Benefits Creating a portal so that we leverage investments in the workforce, create efficiencies and align systems.

34. What’s Next? Increased number of EEC Rewards Further scale development (administrator endorsements) Professional development portal EEC linked with other opportunities

35. Who do I contact with questions? Certification Office info@nceec.org|919-942-7442 - Or - Institute director@ncicdp.org