HistoryEarly childhood system partners have worked together for several years exploring similar strategies used in other states, examining education documentation collection and review processes in place within NC’s early childhood systems, and gathering feedback from the field. The goal of this work was to design an efficient process that would recognize education earned by the workforce, support reducing costs associated with submitting duplicate education documentation to multiple entities by individual Early Educators and programs, and provide benefits that would reward education earned by an individual. The resulting process, Early Educator Certification (EEC), was pilot tested in 2007 – 2008 with private funding through the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation and public funding from the NC Division of Child Development, NC Office of Early Learning and NC Head Start Collaboration Office. The pilot test certified over 4,000 Early Educators, after gathering feedback from early childhood system partners, parents, students, faculty, and Early Educators. Nearly 1,000 Early Educators — who administer programs, work directly with children, support the professional development of the workforce and more — from across the state informed the approach, the cost, the requirements, and even the design of the certificate. In 2009, additional funding was received which more than doubled the number of certified Early Educators in the state. This funding also supported creating a school age professional scale and revising the pilot tested scale to provide additional levels that would better reflect the multiple steps or education increments individuals achieve as they continue to pursue their education to build their knowledge and skills as working adults. The validity period for renewal was also expanded from two to three years to provide Early Educators who are certified as a Paraprofessional or who are seeking a degree to have more time to meet renewal requirements. In 2009, the NC Legislature mandated the creation of a joint task force to work toward the consolidation of early childhood services. The Task Force recommended to the Legislature that EEC be put in place to create a single portal of entry and reduce costs and duplication of effort in processing workforce education documentation. On August 2, 2010, a new law was passed in both the House and Senate that would support the recognition of the education of each individual working in licensed programs. The law requires teaching staff, administrators and family child care providers working in or operating a DCD licensed child care facility to be certified as of July 1, 2012. Staff newly hired on or after October 1, 2010 must be certified within 60 days of hire. The law authorized the NC Institute for Child Development Professionals, formed in 1993 and a non-profit organization, to certify those working in the field. As in many other states, non-profit entities collect and maintain early care and education and school age workforce professional development data. Guidance of a profession by the field is a long-standing approach used by many professions including nurses through the Board of Nursing and lawyers through the State Bar Association. EEC policies are guided by the Education, Compensation & Recognition Advisory Committee. The Institute is guided by a board which is composed of representatives of the field including child care providers (private and non-profit, home and center-based), representatives from higher education, child care resource and referral, Head Start, early care and education experts, business representatives and more. In addition, task groups and committees composed of dozens of individuals working in the field develop strategies and resources to strengthen the work of their peers and colleagues, continuously improving the field’s emerging professional development system. |
Application & ResourcesCertified Early Educators Overview
OverviewThe EEC law requires teaching staff, administrators and family child care providers working in or operating a DCD licensed child care facility to be certified as of July 1, 2012. Staff newly hired on or after October 1, 2010 must be certified within 60 days of hire. Download the EEC Flyer about the new law. Early Educator Certification (EEC) is North Carolina’s certification system for the field of Early Childhood. EEC is an acknowledgment of an individual’s verified level of educational achievement, based on a standardized scale. EEC does not replace teacher licensure and is designed to compliment that process. Education is the basis for EEC. Education is coursework taken at a regionally accredited college or university. All public community colleges and universities in North Carolina are regionally accredited. For a list of regionally accredited college and university programs go to the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. The NC Institute for Child Development Professionals is the certifying body for Early Educators. Early Educators include teachers and teacher assistants in child care, pre-kindergarten and Head Start settings, school age group leaders and coordinators, family child care providers, administrators, faculty, specialists, education coordinators, trainers, consultants, researchers and more. Benefits of Being CertifiedThe benefits of being a certified Early Educator are many – for Early Educators, for the field, and for children and families.
For more information about EEC contact staff at info@nceec.org or call 919-942-7442. |
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