Exploring Roles in the ECE Community: Local and State Levels

The three organizations listed below are communities of practices, as they are groups of people who share a passion for early childhood education and are working together towards ensuring all children have access to high quality learning experiences.  I chose to explore local, state, and global community of practices in the field of early childhood that are proactive in supporting high quality early learning experiences. The Florida Department of Children and Families and the Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County collaborate in providing Florida children the opportunity to attend the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program, funded by the state of Florida, which ensures school readiness. The Military Child and Youth Flight is responsible for providing high quality learning experiences for military children all over the world.

~ Florida Department of Children and Families/Florida Department of Education (STATE)

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childcare/    http://www.fldoe.org/earlylearning/

No current jobs were listed, but potential career of interest would be a childcare licensing agent, Educational Policy Consultant, and Program Assistant.

~ Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County (LOCAL)

http://www.elchc.org/

        No current  Jobs  were listed but a job of interst would be VPK Program Specialist:

Skills and Experience: MS in Early Childhood or equivalent and extensive knowledge of Florida’s VPK Standards and Program

~ Military Child and Youth Flight (GLOBAL)

http://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Search/GetRefineControlResults?Keyword=1701&Location=&SelectedRadiusOption=20&search=Search%21

Employment opportunities can include: Child Development Center Director,  Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist, Child Development Assistant Director, Flight Chief

Skills and experiences needed: For Child Development Training and Curriculum Specialist a 4 year degree in child development or early childhood education. For Child Development Director and Assistant Director, a 4 year degree in child development, early childhood education, home economics (early childhood emphasis), elementary education, special education, or other fields appropriate to the position to be filled. A combination of experience and education can be considered.

References:

DCF. (2012). Child, Youth and Families. Retrieved March 10, 2012, from Florida Department of Children and Families: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childcare/

Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County. (2012). Retrieved March 10, 2012, from Early Learning Coalition of Hillsborough County: http://www.elchc.org/

Early Learning/Prekindergarten. (2012). Retrieved March 10, 2012, from Florida Department of Education: http://www.fldoe.org/earlyLearning/

United States Office of Personnel Management. (2012). Retrieved March 12, 2012, from USAJOBS: http://www.usajobs.gov/JobSearch/Search/GetRefineControlResults?Keyword=1701&Location=&SelectedRadiusOption=20&search=Search%21