Volume 1, Issue 5 - December, 2006

Welcome to ChildCare Education Institute’s December, 2006 newsletter!  This month CCEI discusses professional development and continuing education for early childhood professionals. What are you doing to increase your knowledge and dedication to the field of early childhood education?  If you’re new to the field, check out 10 Tips for Beginning Child Care Providers by Carolyn Ross Tomlin.  More seasoned professionals will find interesting commentary on the many roles early childhood educators play in The Seven Faces of the Early Childhood Educator by Jill Miels, Ph.D. As you wrap up the year, consider the many ways you can advance your own professional development and increase your knowledge as an early childhood professional. The children in your care will reap the benefits!

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As a professional in early childhood education, it is important to take steps to increase your knowledge of the early childhood education field and develop your professional image. Creating a professional portfolio is an excellent way to foster and document professional development and growth. By creating a portfolio you can more easily and concretely show others your teaching experiences, educational background, and strengths as an educator. If you are a center director, a portfolio may be a good resource for evaluating current and future teachers in your center. 
A portfolio is a collection of assembled work and materials that documents knowledge and skills. Teacher portfolios are organized and constructed by teachers to highlight, document, and demonstrate their professional growth, knowledge, and skills in teaching. They include documents and materials that collectively suggest the scope and quality of a teacher’s growth and performance. 

Many different materials should be considered for inclusion in the portfolio, including: material you have generated (such as lesson plans), documents from others (such as awards and evaluations), documentation of education (including college coursework and relevant credentials), and any products of your teaching or learning experiences.  Materials should be grouped and prioritized according to the goal of the portfolio. There should be reflective statements about the items in the portfolio in order to provide additional insight for the reviewer. 

Before submitting your portfolio, be certain to proofread each document you have included.  Contents should be carefully checked for thoroughness and accuracy. Many teachers find it helpful to have a trusted friend or advisor review the portfolio and offer suggestions for improvement. Upon completion, the portfolio should be an excellent representation of your skills as an early childhood professional as well as an opportunity for self-evaluation and reflection.

Are you interested in learning more about the development of a professional portfolio?  ChildCare Education Institute is pleased to offer CCEI800 “The Teacher’s Portfolio: Fostering and Documenting Professional Development”. This course provides  in-depth information about the creation and maintenance of a professional portfolio. CCEI954 “An Environment Built for A TEAM” discusses the importance of creating an environment where teachers can thrive as well as the value of being a team player.

The Seven Faces of the Early Childhood Educator
By Jill Miels, Ph.D.

Over the last decade, the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) has brought us into a new era of working with young children. They have encouraged us to implement developmentally appropriate practices, to establish child-centered programs, and to value the importance of what we do. As this new era unfolds, we must prepare ourselves for new roles and responsibilities.
Read Article

10 Tips for Beginning Child Care Providers
By Carolyn Ross Tomlin

1. Learn from others. Listen to more experienced mentors. Observe how they handle disruptive situations. Watch how they diffuse a tense situation.

2. Expect great things to happen. Be excited about your work each day. A child’s first teacher is often the one he or she remembers the most. You could be that person in the life of the children you teach... Read Article

Printed courtesy of Early Childhood News

CHILDCARE EDUCATION INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES THE $750 ONLINE CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (CDA) CERTIFICATE PROGRAM!

CCEI is pleased to announce the $750 Online CDA Certificate Program. This certificate program is custom tailored for independent study by self-motivated students pursuing the CDA Credential from the Council for Professional Recognition. Coursework in the Online CDA Certificate Program meets the educational requirements established by the Council for Professional Recognition, with courses targeting each of the eight (8) specified content areas. Students have access to coursework  24X7, allowing the utmost in flexibility for busy professionals! 

For more information, please call 1-888-418-5358 or visit CCEI Online for details.

ONLINE INSTRUCTOR LED CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (CDA) CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

CCEI is an approved provider of Child Care professional development and the CDA Credential Coursework. The Online Instructor Led Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate Program provides each student with an Education Coach, who is an experienced child care professional, to assist with coursework and applying for the credential.

You can earn 120 hours or 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which meet the coursework requirements of the CDA, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with our online access. College Credit for this course of study program can be articulated to an AA Degree in Early Childhood Education for students enrolled in the college CDA Program. Non-college credit options are available.

ONLINE CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE (CDA) CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

The Online Child Development Associate (CDA) Certificate Program allows students to work independently on the coursework needed to earn the required 120 hours.

You can earn 120 hours or 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs) which meet the coursework requirements of the CDA, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with our online access.

CDA RENEWAL

A CDA Renewal is valid for three years from the date of the award, after which time it may be renewed for five year periods. CCEI offers the required professional development coursework for CDA Renewal Candidates.

CHILD CARE DIRECTOR'S CERTIFICATE

CCEI provides a specialized professional development credential for the child care director. Courses provide a concentrated study in the areas that must be mastered to be successful as a child care management team member. College credits are available when dual enrolled through University of Cincinnati .

CHILD CARE DIRECTOR'S CERTIFICATE RENEWAL

An annual renewal program will be offered which requires 25 clock hour training in early childhood administration. These advanced courses can be taken as a part of CCEI's ongoing professional development subscription program. There is no college credit available for this renewal certificate. Renewal must be kept up to date annually in order to maintain the CCDC certificate standard.

ASSOCIATES DEGREE COLLEGE CREDIT PROGRAM

ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI) has an articulation agreement with the University of Cincinnati to offer students the ability to pursue a college degree. Many CCEI courses are eligible for articulation to the University of Cincinnati Online Early Childhood Associate Degree.

Did you know... Most certificate programs are supported by a "live" member of the CCEI faculty. These Education Coaches are all Early Childhood Experts.

ChildCare Education Institute is excited to announce the launch of the FACCM Professional Development Portal in partnership with the Florida Association for Child Care Management (FACCM). CCEI and FACCM are committed to the development and implementation of programs, techniques and strategies, which improve the quality and affordability of early childhood education.

For enrollment information visit the FACCM professional development learning portal on line at  www.faccm.org and click on the FACCM Professional Development Learning Portal.  (http://faccm.cceifame.com/)  or call 1.800.499.9907, Ext 547 and speak to Tyson Sliger, the CCEI Admissions Representative specializing in the enrollment needs for FACCM members.

CCEI is a proud Professional Development Partner of:

     

Online Learning Community:

December 22nd - How does your Professional Development assist in classroom management?

January 5th - What methods are used to communicate to parents at your school?

Visit CCEI Online for details.

Coming in next month's issue...Parent Communication.

ChildCare Education Institute will be closed December 26th, 2006 - January 1st, 2007. 
Happy Holidays!

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