By Debra Higginson, QUALITYstarsNY Quality Improvement Specialist, North Country
Whether you are looking to increase your knowledge about a topic related to early childhood education, earn a degree or credential, or ensure you are meeting training-related requirements for your job, choosing high-quality professional development is an important step in increasing your knowledge, skills, and abilities which in turn have a valuable impact on your work with children. With a little help from available professional resources, you can ensure that the professional development you take part in is vetted for quality and helps you to meet your professional goals.
Evidence tells us that high-quality training and education have a significant impact on children’s learning and development. It recognizes that children are individuals with their own strengths and challenges and sees them within the unique context of their families, communities, and cultures. It honors the child wherever they are on the developmental continuum and seeks to understand and support. It increases knowledge, provides opportunity to practice, and encourages reflection.
The importance of high-quality professional development is evident in the QUALITYstarsNY Standards. Both the training-related Standards and the Qualifications and Experience Standards recognize that ongoing training and education are necessary to ensure educators are prepared with the latest knowledge for implementing quality practices. Verified through the Aspire Registry, programs can earn points toward their Star Rating based on education and training.
The Aspire Registry is a key part of keeping a verified record of your professional development. Educators are also assigned a level on the Career Ladder. This tool breaks down professional levels based on education, credentials, and experience and can offer valuable guidance as you begin planning for your own professional goals. An important feature of the Aspire Registry is the ability to search for high-quality professional development. Using the PD Finder, you can search for high-quality training that will help you reach your goals.
Professional development can take many forms and serve a variety of purposes. Training, credentials, degrees, learning communities, and coaching are some of the opportunities available to support you in deepening your practice and potentially help you advance in your career as an early childhood professional. To help you refine your options, you can seek the guidance of your local NYS Child Care Resource Center, connect with a career advisor through the Career Development Center, find a credentialed coach or trainer using the PD Finder, or participate in QUALITYstarsNY—New York State’s Quality Rating and Improvement System for early childhood education.
Choosing which professional development to invest in should be about more than checking off items on a list of training requirements. High-quality professional development can have a tremendous impact on your work and should be given the consideration it deserves. Luckily, there are several resources to help navigate the options available to you on your professional journey.
