ExchangeEveryDay Past Issues

I was wondering if you would post the results of this survey so that we can all see it. I think it will be valuable information.
Thanks,
Beth

The more you work in your field when dealing with children, the more experience you get, & the day to day interactions you both encounter are enhanced throughout time. If you are able to further your education then do it, but don't forget to listen & learn while at work. I have a BA in English, & part of my Masters in Arts & Humanities. I have worked for the University at Buffalo Child Care Center for 19 years as Receptionist, & can still say that I never stop learning.

I'm currently the Program Director for a Family Child Care Home Education Network. The early childhood education professionals I work with take care of children in their homes. Although some of them have degrees or units, most of them have had hands-on training and technical support through their local Resource and Referral Agency. Since I've worked in a variety of early childhood settings for almost twenty years, I observed that it takes more than eduation and training to provide high-quality environments for young children (frankly, children of all ages...including college students). It's going to take more than education and training to raise the quality of care and/or learning experiences for students. Caregivers and teachers must be able to connect with people and have a genuine interest in meeting students and children's needs. It's my experience that teaching skills is achieveable...teaching someone how to connect and fully be present has to come from within. As advocates for young children and learners, we must figure out a way to ensure children have adults who are emotionally attuned to their needs....which requires adults to attune to themselves first.

I think the survey would provide a broader picture if it had asked for years of experience in association with holding a high school diploma. Three of my four teachers who do not have higher ed degrees each have 25 years or more of experience and countless hours of in service training to go with those years. My program was NAEYC accredited for three years until the restructuring came into effect. Now suddenly my staff, which I consider extremely well-qualified for teaching in a part time preschool situation (of 8 teachers 2 hold Masters, 1 a double BS, 1 an Associates and 3 of the remaining 4 have more than 25 years of experience), is not qualified enough to meet accreditation standards. And this because they do not have an "education plan" leading to a degree. I find it somewhat ridiculous to expect women in their 60's to be required to be in college and I also find it demeaning to them to discount their important experience and the passion they still exhibit for teaching young children. Certainly someone who has taught and been in continuous training for 25 years is a better teacher than a 21 year old who is in college but has no experience.

I am right there with Raymond Friedrich. Any serious discussion about qualifications for early learning staff have to go hand in hand about those individuals making a living wage to resolve the eternal question of retention.