Recommended Staff
Qualifications
The National Association for the Education of Young Children (1991) lists the criteria devised by the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs for various early childhood staff positions:
"Goal: The program is staffed by adults who understand child development and who recognize and provide for children's needs.
Rationale: The quality of the staff is the most important determinant of the quality of an early childhood program. Research has found that staff training in child development and/or early childhood education is related to positive outcomes for children, such as increased social interaction with adults, development of prosocial behaviors, and improved language and cognitive development.
D-1. The program is staffed by individuals who are 18 years of age or older, who have been trainined in Early Childhood Education/Child Development, and who demonstrate the appropriate personal characteristics for working with children....Staff working with school-age children have been trained in early childhood, elementary education, child development, recreation, or a related field. The amount of training required will vary depending on the level of professional responsibility of the position. Staff who are in charge of a group of children should have at least a CDA credential or an associate degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development." (p. 30)
"D-2. An early childhood specialist is employed to direct the educational program. The qualifications of an early childhood specialist are a baccalaureate degree in Early Childhood Education/Child Development and at least 3 years of full-time teaching experience with young children, and/or a graduate degree in ECE/CD. This individual may or may not be the chief administrative office of the program. The chief administrative officer has training and/or experience relevant to early childhood program administration such as human resource and financial management. In public schools, the individual who provides support to prekindergarten and kindergarten teachers and/or who is responsible for program development is a qualified early childhood specialist.
The word director is used to refer to a number of different positions in an early childhood program. The individual who functions as the administrator or manager of the program needs training in business administration. All programs should have an Early Childhood Specialist on staff to direct the educational portion of the program. This individual may also be the chief administrator or may function as a head teacher in a small program." (p. 32)
