Open Discussion Forum

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

I have been saying for a while that NAEYC is out of touch with challenges that the childcare centers in the rural communities are facing.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve quality and elevate the educational training of individuals that work in early education.  But the realities of what that would cost and what families would have to pay for rural providers to achieve that goal is unrealistic.  Until we address the funding issues behind being able to provide high quality childcare, there is no  reason to continue to push for the higher training requirments.  Unfunded mandates by the state, federal government or private pac groups like NAYEC will ultimately decimate the childcare industry and put birth through age 3 year old children at risk.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Totally agree with the challenge rural child care centers have in finding teachers with the increased qualifications that NAEYC wants.
Traditionally, child care centers train child care staff, then some move on to Head Start and then some move on the board of education positions. That is the reality due to increased salaries and benefits that are available outside of childcare. While training and education are important, there are excellent teachers that may have no more than a CDA or ACDS (2 yr. non degree early childcare training), and may have been in the field for years.  They certainly do NOT lack training, as they have had continual education through center sponsored in-service trainings and early childcare conferences and workshops (some for 15 or 20 years), but they don't count as 'college credit'.
  In rural settings it is hard to find people with the educational requirements at all, let alone expect them to work for the lower salaries that childcare centers can pay.  Childcare is not supplemented by state and federal government funds like Head Start and board of educations are, so they are a unique breed.
​

------------------------------
Judy Olson
Friends-R-Fun Child Dev. Ctr.
Summersville WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 12:38 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have been saying for a while that NAEYC is out of touch with challenges that the childcare centers in the rural communities are facing.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve quality and elevate the educational training of individuals that work in early education.  But the realities of what that would cost and what families would have to pay for rural providers to achieve that goal is unrealistic.  Until we address the funding issues behind being able to provide high quality childcare, there is no  reason to continue to push for the higher training requirments.  Unfunded mandates by the state, federal government or private pac groups like NAYEC will ultimately decimate the childcare industry and put birth through age 3 year old children at risk.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Diana,

I also hear that some centers anticipate an increase in the minimum wage in Pennsylvania which could make a big impact on a program's budget. An increase at the lower level of the pay scale could mean an increase in the upper levels also. One center in the Philadelphia area has raised their rates twice this year already citing this reason for having to charge families more for care.

How might an increase in the minimum wage impact your program?

Linda

------------------------------
Linda Boss
Instructor
University of WI - Platteville
Lewistown PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 12:38 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have been saying for a while that NAEYC is out of touch with challenges that the childcare centers in the rural communities are facing.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve quality and elevate the educational training of individuals that work in early education.  But the realities of what that would cost and what families would have to pay for rural providers to achieve that goal is unrealistic.  Until we address the funding issues behind being able to provide high quality childcare, there is no  reason to continue to push for the higher training requirments.  Unfunded mandates by the state, federal government or private pac groups like NAYEC will ultimately decimate the childcare industry and put birth through age 3 year old children at risk.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Linda,

It will cost us about $80k to do a minimum wage increase (min wage that would be $11/hr, not the proposed $15) that also accounts for compression on our salary scale, but does not include any increases to program leadership (which is 6 employees, including myself).  The subsequent increase to our families would be approximately a 7% tuition increase.  We figured that based upon what we were hearing from our Association lobbyists and other entities with lobbyists and connections to state govt.  So, $15/hr would be unattainable without a significant increase to our tuition.  We have a small subsidy population (less than 15%) so any increase the Gov. would tie into reimbursement rates would have minimal impact and private pay families would shoulder the burden, as they do already.

There was discussion on doing a two part tuition increase this fiscal year in case an increase in min. wage was looming and we could also do a smaller salary scale increase to assist in hiring, but my board was strongly opposed. (But they don't have to try and do the hiring and tell staff they can't have off bc we are short staffed either...lol).

And BTW, my career in this crazy field started in Lewistown at Mifflin Co Child Development (before it merged with SUMCD)

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 03:20 PM
From: Linda Boss
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Diana,

I also hear that some centers anticipate an increase in the minimum wage in Pennsylvania which could make a big impact on a program's budget. An increase at the lower level of the pay scale could mean an increase in the upper levels also. One center in the Philadelphia area has raised their rates twice this year already citing this reason for having to charge families more for care.

How might an increase in the minimum wage impact your program?

Linda

------------------------------
Linda Boss
Instructor
University of WI - Platteville
Lewistown PA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 12:38 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have been saying for a while that NAEYC is out of touch with challenges that the childcare centers in the rural communities are facing.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve quality and elevate the educational training of individuals that work in early education.  But the realities of what that would cost and what families would have to pay for rural providers to achieve that goal is unrealistic.  Until we address the funding issues behind being able to provide high quality childcare, there is no  reason to continue to push for the higher training requirments.  Unfunded mandates by the state, federal government or private pac groups like NAYEC will ultimately decimate the childcare industry and put birth through age 3 year old children at risk.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Currently our highest paid staff/teacher in a classroom is making $11.00 per hour.  We currently have 20 employees at one of our centers.  If we across the board gave all of our staff a $1.00 per hour increase it would cost us before taxes an additional $3,200.00 per month.  We currently have a 120 students enrolled in that program.  In order for that pay increase to not impact our bottom line, we would have to raise our tuition by $6.60 per student.  That is of course if we were able to maintain the 120 students we currently have.

A year ago we raised our tuition by $5.00 per week after not having an increase for 3 years and our parents lost their minds.  I had to explain to them that the increase came out to be about  $.10 cents per hour if there child was with us for 40 hours per week and less than that if there child was with us for 60 hours per week.  We still had some that complained the increase was to much.

So even though our costs to operate were going up, parents still complained that things were too expensive.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 03:34 PM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Linda,

It will cost us about $80k to do a minimum wage increase (min wage that would be $11/hr, not the proposed $15) that also accounts for compression on our salary scale, but does not include any increases to program leadership (which is 6 employees, including myself).  The subsequent increase to our families would be approximately a 7% tuition increase.  We figured that based upon what we were hearing from our Association lobbyists and other entities with lobbyists and connections to state govt.  So, $15/hr would be unattainable without a significant increase to our tuition.  We have a small subsidy population (less than 15%) so any increase the Gov. would tie into reimbursement rates would have minimal impact and private pay families would shoulder the burden, as they do already.

There was discussion on doing a two part tuition increase this fiscal year in case an increase in min. wage was looming and we could also do a smaller salary scale increase to assist in hiring, but my board was strongly opposed. (But they don't have to try and do the hiring and tell staff they can't have off bc we are short staffed either...lol).

And BTW, my career in this crazy field started in Lewistown at Mifflin Co Child Development (before it merged with SUMCD)

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 03:20 PM
From: Linda Boss
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Diana,

I also hear that some centers anticipate an increase in the minimum wage in Pennsylvania which could make a big impact on a program's budget. An increase at the lower level of the pay scale could mean an increase in the upper levels also. One center in the Philadelphia area has raised their rates twice this year already citing this reason for having to charge families more for care.

How might an increase in the minimum wage impact your program?

Linda

------------------------------
Linda Boss
Instructor
University of WI - Platteville
Lewistown PA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 12:38 AM
From: Tim Kaminski
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have been saying for a while that NAEYC is out of touch with challenges that the childcare centers in the rural communities are facing.  There is nothing wrong with wanting to improve quality and elevate the educational training of individuals that work in early education.  But the realities of what that would cost and what families would have to pay for rural providers to achieve that goal is unrealistic.  Until we address the funding issues behind being able to provide high quality childcare, there is no  reason to continue to push for the higher training requirments.  Unfunded mandates by the state, federal government or private pac groups like NAYEC will ultimately decimate the childcare industry and put birth through age 3 year old children at risk.

------------------------------
Tim Kaminski
Director/Owner
Gingerbread Kids Academy
Richmond TX

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

I have read this before about how "college can't teach you experience" but I don't know of any ECE program that doesn't have hands on, practicum and student teaching components; the one I taught in had multiple experiences, increasing in the level of engagement each year. These placements also include an experienced mentor teacher for guidance.  If there is a 2 year or 4 year ECE degree that can be earned without stepping outside a college classroom, I'd like to talk to whoever accredits that institution.

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

​Hello to you all!
I too am challenged by this topic. I went to a community college for 1 year and then started teaching. That wasn't enough so I had to get my CDA. Later that wasn't enough and I went back and got my AA degree. Now they want a 4 year degree and I'm too far into the 'game' to go back now. Yes I did practicums, labs within early childhood settings, and student teaching. Yes you can learn many things from being educated in the field and doing labs and practicums, etc. But they can't teach you everything you are going to face/ deal with until you actually experience it.I might have been interested in a 4 year degree if there had been one designed only for early childhood. Here in Iowa where I work, you can only get a BA in elementary ed with an early childhood endorsement. I didn't want anything to do with elementary - I'm in preschool. Also they can teach you the basics and give you ideas of how to deal with others/ face challenges/solve problems with children and families, BUT as we well know every child is unique with their own genetics and life situations & history. To handle that you need to experience these situations first. Did the AA degree boost my pay - not much. I have been doing this for 23 years and still am under $15.00 an hour. I don't do the job for the money. Just my thoughts on the subject

------------------------------
Sue Miller
team leader
Child Development Center
Hawarden IA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 12:57 PM
From: Vicki Knauerhase
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have read this before about how "college can't teach you experience" but I don't know of any ECE program that doesn't have hands on, practicum and student teaching components; the one I taught in had multiple experiences, increasing in the level of engagement each year. These placements also include an experienced mentor teacher for guidance.  If there is a 2 year or 4 year ECE degree that can be earned without stepping outside a college classroom, I'd like to talk to whoever accredits that institution.

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

I think the 'experience' director's are talking about when they say 'college doesn't give experience' is that even though ECE programs do have hands-on learning in the classrooms, it is not the same as daily being in charge of a classroom as the lead teacher.  I have had teacher's in my program (some for 15 or more years) that became 'experts' with their age group and were able to decide if a new child needed a referral within the first or second day​ of being in their classroom - based on their knowledge and 'experience' in working with children. That is the kind of thing that new grads can't know.  It is no different than the medical field - there are things only 'experience' can teach that are of major value.

------------------------------
Judy Olson
Friends-R-Fun Child Dev. Ctr.
Summersville WV
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 12:57 PM
From: Vicki Knauerhase
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have read this before about how "college can't teach you experience" but I don't know of any ECE program that doesn't have hands on, practicum and student teaching components; the one I taught in had multiple experiences, increasing in the level of engagement each year. These placements also include an experienced mentor teacher for guidance.  If there is a 2 year or 4 year ECE degree that can be earned without stepping outside a college classroom, I'd like to talk to whoever accredits that institution.

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

​Judy,
 I agree with both of your posts. You are right on target. My program is a state funded one but we are down to 3 days a week and 4 hours a day & it used to be 5 days a week & 6.5 hours a day. This is all due to budget cuts on the state level. We are in a rural setting here in Iowa. The daycare here has a waiting list a year out on infants, 6 months out on Toddlers, and full in the preschool room for now. The staff turnover is large and they have no benefits. Some have a  CDA and others don't. They all do professional development yearly. It is sad cause they are a top rated daycare.

------------------------------
Sue Miller
team leader
Child Development Center
Hawarden IA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 01:05 PM
From: Judy Olson
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I think the 'experience' director's are talking about when they say 'college doesn't give experience' is that even though ECE programs do have hands-on learning in the classrooms, it is not the same as daily being in charge of a classroom as the lead teacher.  I have had teacher's in my program (some for 15 or more years) that became 'experts' with their age group and were able to decide if a new child needed a referral within the first or second day​ of being in their classroom - based on their knowledge and 'experience' in working with children. That is the kind of thing that new grads can't know.  It is no different than the medical field - there are things only 'experience' can teach that are of major value.

------------------------------
Judy Olson
Friends-R-Fun Child Dev. Ctr.
Summersville WV

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 12:57 PM
From: Vicki Knauerhase
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have read this before about how "college can't teach you experience" but I don't know of any ECE program that doesn't have hands on, practicum and student teaching components; the one I taught in had multiple experiences, increasing in the level of engagement each year. These placements also include an experienced mentor teacher for guidance.  If there is a 2 year or 4 year ECE degree that can be earned without stepping outside a college classroom, I'd like to talk to whoever accredits that institution.

------------------------------
Vicki Knauerhase M.Ed.
Child Development Specialist (retired)
Weston OH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

There should not be a dichotomy between knowledge/degrees and experience. Really good teacher preparation program combine both. Passion and love for children are not enough. This needs to be combined with a thorough understanding of child development, content knowledge that is appropriate for young children, and pedagogical strategies for planning engaging activities that grow children in all developmental areas.

------------------------------
Nora Krieger, PhD
Associate Professor Emerita/Past Chair NJEEPRE
Bloomfield College/NJ Educators Exploring the Practices of Reggio Emilia
Highland Park, NJ
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

I have a vision...

What if you took the best that Home Child Care had to offer, and combined it with the best that an Early Childhood Education Center had to offer?

Here is a basic picture:

Set up the groups in mixed age format such as:
  2 infants under age 1
  2 under 2
  2 under 3
  2 under 4
  2 under 5
  2 under 6
  and 2 adult caregivers (with training/experience)  with a total of 12 children.
The facility layout would look like a series of little apartments so each group would have a small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom (napping), and a family room (playroom) with adjacent outdoor playground.

In this vision, the facility also has at least one, (more depending on the size of the program) separate preschool room where the PreK children would all meet up three 1/2 days/week, (and the 3 year olds: two 1/2 days/week) It is there/then that they would engage in preschool activities planned/facilitated by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher (with ECE degree).

In an ideal setting, there would also be a gross motor room for music/movement, as well as a library, and enrichment programs for the toddlers. 

In this scenario, the children stay with the same caregivers from birth until they graduate preschool.  Siblings can grow up together.  The preschoolers leave the "apartments" for their preschool experience 3-4 hours each day, 2-3 days/wk, allowing the Caregivers to concentrate this time with infants/toddlers. Although their playroom would be set up in a way that allows for quality play experiences for a mixed age group, they would not be responsible for the "education" piece of the program. The Early Childhood Teacher would have time between preschool sessions for planning and preparation, since she is not also responsible for the "caring" piece of a 9-10 hour day.

In this scenario, a quality program could arise while employing larger numbers of highly talented caregivers (less expensive) and smaller numbers of highly educated Early Childhood Teachers (higher wage).  WIN/WIN  :)

I would sure love to hear if anyone has tried this...or is willing to give it a shot.  (I would love to do it but too old to start something new at this point of my career.)
 
 

------------------------------
Elizabeth Werner
Blessed Beginnings
Cody WY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

Elizabeth,

Check out an approach called LifeWays

http://lifewaysnorthamerica.org/lifeways-principles/

I observed one of their sites in Wisconsin that was very similar to your suggestions. The field of Early Childhood is certainly ready to do some "reimagining" of our work.

Linda

------------------------------
Linda Boss
Instructor
University of WI - Platteville
Lewistown PA
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 05:15 PM
From: Elizabeth Werner
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have a vision...

What if you took the best that Home Child Care had to offer, and combined it with the best that an Early Childhood Education Center had to offer?

Here is a basic picture:

Set up the groups in mixed age format such as:
  2 infants under age 1
  2 under 2
  2 under 3
  2 under 4
  2 under 5
  2 under 6
  and 2 adult caregivers (with training/experience)  with a total of 12 children.
The facility layout would look like a series of little apartments so each group would have a small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom (napping), and a family room (playroom) with adjacent outdoor playground.

In this vision, the facility also has at least one, (more depending on the size of the program) separate preschool room where the PreK children would all meet up three 1/2 days/week, (and the 3 year olds: two 1/2 days/week) It is there/then that they would engage in preschool activities planned/facilitated by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher (with ECE degree).

In an ideal setting, there would also be a gross motor room for music/movement, as well as a library, and enrichment programs for the toddlers. 

In this scenario, the children stay with the same caregivers from birth until they graduate preschool.  Siblings can grow up together.  The preschoolers leave the "apartments" for their preschool experience 3-4 hours each day, 2-3 days/wk, allowing the Caregivers to concentrate this time with infants/toddlers. Although their playroom would be set up in a way that allows for quality play experiences for a mixed age group, they would not be responsible for the "education" piece of the program. The Early Childhood Teacher would have time between preschool sessions for planning and preparation, since she is not also responsible for the "caring" piece of a 9-10 hour day.

In this scenario, a quality program could arise while employing larger numbers of highly talented caregivers (less expensive) and smaller numbers of highly educated Early Childhood Teachers (higher wage).  WIN/WIN  :)

I would sure love to hear if anyone has tried this...or is willing to give it a shot.  (I would love to do it but too old to start something new at this point of my career.)
 
 

------------------------------
Elizabeth Werner
Blessed Beginnings
Cody WY

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------

WOW!! Linda.  My "vision" in practice!!  Thank you for directing me to this website.  EVERYONE should have a look... what early care and education should look like.  Not everyone will have the ability to replicate, but should definitely take as much as possible and apply it to their program.  Our center directors really need to reflect on what early childhood can be and how they can take steps to get closer.

------------------------------
Elizabeth Werner
Blessed Beginnings
Cody WY
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-06-2019 10:37 AM
From: Linda Boss
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Elizabeth,

Check out an approach called LifeWays

http://lifewaysnorthamerica.org/lifeways-principles/

I observed one of their sites in Wisconsin that was very similar to your suggestions. The field of Early Childhood is certainly ready to do some "reimagining" of our work.

Linda

------------------------------
Linda Boss
Instructor
University of WI - Platteville
Lewistown PA

Original Message:
Sent: 08-05-2019 05:15 PM
From: Elizabeth Werner
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I have a vision...

What if you took the best that Home Child Care had to offer, and combined it with the best that an Early Childhood Education Center had to offer?

Here is a basic picture:

Set up the groups in mixed age format such as:
  2 infants under age 1
  2 under 2
  2 under 3
  2 under 4
  2 under 5
  2 under 6
  and 2 adult caregivers (with training/experience)  with a total of 12 children.
The facility layout would look like a series of little apartments so each group would have a small kitchen, bathroom, bedroom (napping), and a family room (playroom) with adjacent outdoor playground.

In this vision, the facility also has at least one, (more depending on the size of the program) separate preschool room where the PreK children would all meet up three 1/2 days/week, (and the 3 year olds: two 1/2 days/week) It is there/then that they would engage in preschool activities planned/facilitated by a qualified Early Childhood Teacher (with ECE degree).

In an ideal setting, there would also be a gross motor room for music/movement, as well as a library, and enrichment programs for the toddlers. 

In this scenario, the children stay with the same caregivers from birth until they graduate preschool.  Siblings can grow up together.  The preschoolers leave the "apartments" for their preschool experience 3-4 hours each day, 2-3 days/wk, allowing the Caregivers to concentrate this time with infants/toddlers. Although their playroom would be set up in a way that allows for quality play experiences for a mixed age group, they would not be responsible for the "education" piece of the program. The Early Childhood Teacher would have time between preschool sessions for planning and preparation, since she is not also responsible for the "caring" piece of a 9-10 hour day.

In this scenario, a quality program could arise while employing larger numbers of highly talented caregivers (less expensive) and smaller numbers of highly educated Early Childhood Teachers (higher wage).  WIN/WIN  :)

I would sure love to hear if anyone has tried this...or is willing to give it a shot.  (I would love to do it but too old to start something new at this point of my career.)
 
 

------------------------------
Elizabeth Werner
Blessed Beginnings
Cody WY

Original Message:
Sent: 08-04-2019 03:47 AM
From: Rebekah Mogee
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

I totally agree. I was just having a conversation with one of our state reps today about this topic. I love running a center, but get frustrated with the childcare licensing services changes the teacher qualifications so often. It is difficult to hire people with either too many qualifications (bc then you can't afford them) or people with not enough qualifications.
I believe early childhood teachers should have a love and passion to work with children.  They need experience not so many titles or degrees behind their names. You could have a doctorate degree and still lack experience.  College classes cannot teach you life experiences!! While they are good to have as a learning resource, it cannot teach you to work with children until you are amongst those little ones.

------------------------------
Rebekah Mogee
Center Director
Under His Wings Preschool LLC
Gilford NH

Original Message:
Sent: 08-03-2019 11:13 AM
From: Hazel Osborn
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Abysmal wages nationwide make child care a non-starter for qualified people who otherwise would love to work with children. Sadly, so many child care workers find they have to leave the field as well, unless a life partner or parents are willing to subsidize their career choice by paying the bulk of living expenses - or they are living on the margins, at best. At the same time, parents are financially devastated by the cost of care, if they can find it. And who suffers most, of course, are the children. All this despite decades of advocacy.
This probably sounds pretty dark - but I've spent my whole career bumping into this roadblock. There have been a few sparks of hope, but unless our society and culture starts valuing child care at a level it should be, it seems another generation of children, families, and programs are fated to struggle as past ones have. Meanwhile, how can we ethically encourage anyone to enter the field?
Wish I had a better answer! Best of luck -

------------------------------
Hazel Osborn
Consultant
Loveland CO

Original Message:
Sent: 08-02-2019 11:10 AM
From: Diana Verbeck
Subject: Teacher Qualifications

Wondering how other programs are doing with meeting NAEYC's current (and upcoming 2020) Teacher Qualification requirements.  Is anyone finding it to be challenged to recruit and retain qualified teachers and teacher aides?  Or to encourage those without degrees to pursue additional education?  We are in a rural community, and our state has seen a significant decline in education majors, coupled with a steady increase of state funded pre-k classrooms, with higher compensation levels, further compounding the issue of meeting NAEYC's requirements.  I am genuinely concerned for my ability to maintain our accreditation.

------------------------------
Diana Verbeck
Executive Director
Danville Child Development Center
Danville PA
------------------------------