Council and WestEd Join in Infant/Toddler Teacher Preparation
by Deborah Jordan, Council of Early Childhood Professional Recognition, CDA National Credentialing Program
The Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition (the Council) has an agreement with WestEd (formerly known as Far West Laboratory for Education Research and Development)- for providing technical assistance to its staff and Early Head Start (EHS) trainers who participate in its Module Training Institutes. While the Council has established CDA Competency Standards for competent child care workers under its Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program, it does not conduct training towards fulfilling these standards. Therefore, WestEd's Training Institutes provide a unique opportunity for a partnership that focuses on continuing professional development and education.
WestEd was established in 1965 as an educational research and development organization, and is now recognized as a leader in training qualified caregivers who work with children from birth through age 5. In response to the growing number of child care programs serving infants and toddlers across the country, WestEd, in collaboration with the California Department of Education, produced in 1986 the 12 videotapes used as a basis for the training modules. The topics cover Socio-Emotional Growth and Socialization; Group Care; Learning and Development; and Culture, Family and Providers. the Module Training Institutes provide program managers and other professionals who rain early childhood caregivers with the skills necessary to develop knowledge of infant and toddler care.
The joint effort between the Council and WestEd ties in with the Head Start Program Performance Standards requirements that teachers of infants and toddlers must obtain a CDA Credential for Infant and Toddler Caregivers or an equivalent credential within one year of the effective date of the rule- January 1, 1998- or thereafter within one year of hire. The ruling also established that teachers for infants and toddlers have "the training and expertise necessary to develop consistent, stable, and supportive relationships with very young children." The Council awards credentials for four different settings- Center-based Infant/Toddler, Center-based Preschool, Family Child Care, and Home Visitor.
The Council provides assistance to WestEd by clarifying CDA assessment procedures and qualifications. Staff anticipates that some trainers may later serve as advisors, early childhood specialists who play an important role in the CDA credentialing process by observing the candidate's actual work with children.
WestEd's Training Institutes will cover some of the eight subject areas the Council requires candidates to document for formal child acre education. After completing the training, representatives will return to their centers and train other teachers, thereby increasing exponentially the number of EHS caregivers exposed to the knowledge and principles of good early childhood practices. For Head Start caregivers, this training should facilitate the process of earning the CDA credential because the Council will accept the clock hours toward meeting the eligibility requirements. Participants may go on to become certified trainers if they complete the additional assignments required by WestEd.
The many recent positive changes in infant/toddler teacher certification and education are small steps toward assuring quality care for infants and toddlers. WestEd and the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition will continue to work together and to ensure quality standards in teacher preparation.
For more information, contact:
Council of Early Childhood
Professional Recognition,
CDA National Credentialing Program,
1341 G Street NW, Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20005.
T: 800/424-4310, F:202/265-9161.
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