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

The four national/federal organizations or communities of practice that I took interest in for this assignment are found below:

  

      1.  Association of Childhood Education International (ACEI).

I choose this association because it promotes as well as supports the global community in achieving the optimal quality of education and development of children, and to influence the professional growth of educators and the efforts of those committed to children’s needs in a dynamic world.

No job opportunities offered

Training opportunities – sharing expertise

2.  National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

I chose this association because the NAEYC promotes high-quality early learning for all children, birth through age 8, by connecting practice, policy, and research (www.naeyc.org).   The ultimate goal is to reach full potential of every child.  All children thrive and learn in a society dedicated to ensuring they reach their full potential.

Job opportunities:  Consultant Early Childhood

Skills/experiences – Social & Human Science

3.  Zero to three is a national non-profit organization that provides parents, professionals, and policy makers the knowledge and know-how to nurture early development.  Their mission is to ensure all babies and toddlers have a strong start in life (zerotothree.org).

Job opportunities – Resource Development Director

Qualifications: 

Bachelor, Master’s, or Doctoral degree preferred. 6 years of experience in Early Childhood Education minimum; Public policy or community development;

Experience in Head Start and/or Child Care a plus;

Experience in project development

                Salary:  Open, Full-time.

4.  Kentucky Association for Early Childhood Education (KAECE)

Mission:  To serve and support the early care and education community to improve the lives of children and their families (www.kaece.org).

Job opportunities -  Assistant Director, Louisville, Kentucky

                Provider of private Childhood Education

                Child Enrichment Coordinator

Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

Early-On

This organization is a system designed to coordinate early intervention and other services for families who have children (ages 0-36 months) experiencing developmental delays or who have disabilities or special needs (www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org).

I choose this organization because I have always felt discovery of a problem early can assist in accomplishing goals early and opportunities to find the necessary treatment or resources to assist a child’s daily living.   

Head Start

The Head Start is a Federal program that promotes the school readiness of children from birth to age give from low-income families by enhancing their cognitive, social, and emotional development.  Head Start provides a learning environment that supports children’s growth in many areas such as language, literacy, and social and emotional development.  Head Start emphasizes the role of parents as their child’s first and most important teacher.  These programs help build relationships with families that support family we-being and many other important areas (michheadstart.org).

NAEYC

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organized that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research.  The NAAEYC advance a diverse, dynamic early childhood profession and support all who care for, educate, and work on behalf of young children (www.naeyc.org).

I choose this organization because it centers its focus directly those involve in the lives of our children, our future.  Early in a child’s life you can find them mimicking after older youth or adults and at that point they are developing for their future.  They take in a wealth of information and later in life they are able to put it to work.  The NAEYC validates the task of being leaders in this society.  They shoot for excellence within our classrooms and also of each individual they support.  They also have an ongoing learning environment in which Early Childhood Educators can reach out to on a continuous basis and get the support they need. 

Out of the three organizations I research the job opportunity I found that were of interest to me were Education Specialist – Early Head Start RFT.  This position requires a Bachelor’s degree Early Childhood Education/Child Development; or a Bachelor’s of Science/Arts in Elementary Education with a ZA endorsement.  The work hours are approximately 37.5 hours a week and a requirement is excellent knowledge and understanding of early childhood development.  There is a minimum of 3 years of experience.

References

www.earlychildhoodmichigan.org

www.michheadstart.org

www.naeyc.org