Advancing ECE As A Profession
Current Roundtable Update: Next Steps Toward Professional Recognition for ECE from the State of Vermont
It's time for early childhood education to be a well-prepared, well-compensated profession.
Advancing Early Childhood Education as a Profession is an initiative led by Vermont’s early childhood education workforce. Our aim is to create an early childhood education profession in Vermont that aligns with a future national early childhood education profession.
That each and every child, beginning at birth, has the opportunity to benefit from high-quality, affordable early childhood education, delivered by an effective, diverse, well-prepared, and well-compensated workforce.
Our Shared Vision
Our shared vision is an early childhood education profession with
- Clearly defined professional roles
- Pathways to enter and grow within the profession
- Individual and portable licenses to practice
- Professional-level wages and benefits
- All within a supportive state infrastructure.
How We Will Get There
“I believe this shift will take time and calm, consistent, organized effort. Educators from all levels should be welcome and welcomed to actively participate in realizing the end goals.”Â
– Vermont Early Childhood Educator
Our Process
Vermont's workforce-led, consensus-based process is based on the collaborative that created The Unifying Framework.
Respect For Today's Workforce
We need to honor the expertise of current early childhood educators as we transition to individual professional licensure.
Supports For Tomorrow
We're working with stakeholders to design a supportive system. We are taking steps toward professional recognition from the state. We are all invested in and accountable for the success of the new profession.
Project Leadership
This initiative is led by a Task Force of Vermont early childhood educators; resourced by a Core Team of stakeholders, funders, and consultants; supported by Design Teams; and energized by an engaged workforce.
Project Timeline
Since 2018, thousands of early childhood educators have contributed to our shared vision of an ECE profession.
Resources
Includes explainers, social media posts, flyers, toolkits, Consensus Documents, videos, Professional Development recordings and recaps, links to publications, and more.
What Can I Do?
Stay engaged with ongoing professional development and informational opportunities.
Roundtable Updates
New Roundtable Updates are designed for early childhood educators who are engaged and active in the work to advance as a profession. These are conversational, live 45 minute updates offered monthly or as needed.
Getting Up To Speed
These updates are designed for early childhood educators new to the work to advance as a profession. This professional development will bring you up to speed on this project. Learn:
- What it means to be a profession
- How and why Vermont ECEs are working to create an ECE profession
- What's happening next
Join us: say "I'm In!" for Advancing ECE As A Profession
Join more than 600 Vermont early childhood educators. Add your name in support of our shared vision.
In order to make the case for public investment, we need to show policy makers and legislators who we are, what we will be accountable for, and that we stand together behind our shared vision.
What Can I Do Next?​
Subscribe, share the Unifying Framework with your teaching community, and attend the next Roundtable Update.