Kentucky’s Early Childhood PD Framework provides multiple opportunities to acquire increasing levels of professional credentials. Each credential represents a discrete entry/exit point, and each credential represents a building block to the next level of credentialing and competency.
In addition to the national Child Development Associate (CDA), three specific early childhood credentials are available in Kentucky. The credentials were created to acknowledge that differing competencies and skill areas are required for different aspects of the early childhood profession. Credential programs are offered in several kinds of education settings to recognize that different types of early childhood professionals may wish to access education and training settings appropriate to their needs. Lead agencies/institutions are described in the context of each credential.
[ms_panel title=”Professional Development Framework” title_color=”#1a72bf” border_color=”#1a72bf ” title_background_color=”#f5f5f5″ border_radius=”0″ class=”” id=””]Please refer to the PDF pages 5-12. [/ms_panel]
The Early Childhood Credentials specific to Kentucky are:
Director’s Credential:
The Director’s Credential is intended to provide education and development in the skill areas needed to manage an early childhood program. The program may be a discrete course of study or may build on the candidate’s existing experience and proficiency through portfolio development or individualized assessment. Candidates work through the higher education institution of their choice for information related to the specific program of study for the Director’s Credential.
Candidates who meet eligibility guidelines for the Early Childhood Scholarship Program may use this program as a resource for financial assistance with coursework leading to the award of a Director’s Credential. The Director’s Credential is awarded by the Division of Child Care upon successful completion of the requirements and upon recommendation by an approved higher education institution. Requirements include 12 college credit hours in early childhood education and related administrative subjects. These hours can be earned as part of a degree program in early childhood education or individuals may enroll specifically for Director’s Credential course work. Course work may be offered by approved state technical and community colleges, or at universities or colleges offering Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) programs.
Major areas of core knowledge and competencies for the Director’s Credential include:
Regulations and laws
Ethics
Programming for families and children
Supervision and staff development
Health and Safety
Financial management and marketing
Community collaboration/resource engagement
For more information regarding scholarships and locations of courses contact the Professional Development Coach in your region. http://kentuckypartnership.org/about/map
Commonwealth Child Care Credential (CCCC):
Commonwealth Child Care Credential (CCCC):
The Commonwealth Child Care Credential (CCCC) provides additional training to professionals wishing to exceed the minimum training hours required by Child Care Licensing Regulations. The CCCC is a planned program of education and training based on the Core Competencies. The hours of instruction (60) are intended to fulfill half of the time requirements and skill mastery level necessary for the Child Development Associate Credential.
The CCCC is awarded by the Division of Child Care. In order to maintain the CCCC, 15 clock hours of training is required annually.
Scholarships are available for the CCCC, contact the Professional Development Coach in your region. http://kentuckypartnership.org/about/map
Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential:
Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential:
The Kentucky Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential includes the competencies and standards for those who provide training to early childhood practitioners. The level of education, training, and experience of the trainer is correlated with the content levels at which training may be offered. At the more complex content and expected competency levels of the trainees, the qualifications for the trainer become more stringent.
Individuals who participate in training have a way to identify the level of content at which training will be delivered so as to key the selection of training to their individual needs and skill levels. Trainers have a way to individualize training content to meet specific skill levels of the trainees and competency areas of EC Core Content.
There are specific steps necessary to acquire a Trainer’s Credential, including information related to levels of training and trainer qualifications that are necessary to maintain a multi-level training system. Specialty trainers who are highly qualified in a specific area related to children and families must meet defined credential requirements.
In general, all trainers must be at least 21 years old, meet the educational requirements, and have experience relevant to the following areas: child growth and development; learning environments and curriculum; health, safety and nutrition; family and community partnerships; child assessment; professional development/professionalism; and program management/evaluation.
Requirements for the Early Care and Educations Trainer’s Credential include:
• FET seminar – a 17 hour hybrid course
• Introduction to Resources for Early Care and Education Trainers – a 2 hour online training – www.kentuckypartnership.org/services/training
• ECE-TRIS Data Entry – a 2 hour online training – https://tris.eku.edu/ece/ece-training
• Applications must be submitted online
The current Trainer’s Credential Regulations can be found at: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/922/002/240.pdf
Pages 8-11 provide information about the Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential. We will not go into detail as a more in depth look at the Early Care and Education Trainer’s Credential since it has already been reviewed in a previous lesson.
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) Certification:
Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education (IECE) Certification:
IECE certification is Kentucky’s early childhood teacher licensure program for teaching children birth through kindergarten in public school, private school and intervention settings. Programs that lead to the IECE certificate are offered through Kentucky’s colleges and universities at the bachelor’s and graduate levels. Certification requires at least a bachelor’s degree and oversight is provided by the Kentucky Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB).For more information regarding scholarships and locations of courses contact the Professional Development Coach in your region. http://kentuckypartnership.org/about/map
Scholarships are available for some of the credentials, as funding allows. Please contact the Professional Development Coach in your region for more information. http://kentuckypartnership.org/about/map
