Pathways to Professional Development
Career Lattice Requirements
Level 1 Introductory Informal Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Current CPR certification and first aid training
- Six additional hours of training (within the last year) in two or more of the 15 Professional Training Areas
- Work directly with children in a child care, preschool, Head Start, or school-age program
Level 2 Advanced Informal Education
- High school diploma or GED
- Current CPR certification and first aid training
- 20 additional hours of training (within the last year) in four or more of the 15 Professional Training Areas
- Work directly with children in a state-registered or licensed child care, preschool, Head Start, or school-age program
- Membership in a recognized professional organization or attend six hours of professional development conference training
Level 3 Professional Credential
- Current CPR certification and first aid training (if working with children)
- CDA or other similar credential which includes a minimum of 120 hours of training or a vocational certificate with early childhood emphasis
- Work directly with children in a state-registered or licensed child care, preschool, Head Start, or school-age program
or provide leadership or instruction that promotes the development of other practitioners
- Membership in a recognized professional organization
- Attend six hours of professional development conference training
Level 4 Apprenticeship or Higher Education Coursework
- Current CPR certification and first aid training (if working with children)
- Completion of apprenticeship training and certification or 12 college credits in early childhood
- Two years experience working in a program with children in the past six years or two years experience providing leadership or instruction that promotes the development of
other practitioners
- Membership in a recognized professional organization
- Attend six hours of professional development conference training
Level 5 Early Childhood Associate’s Degree
- Current CPR certification and first aid training (if working with children)
- Associate’s degree with a minimum of 18 early childhood credits or unrelated bachelor’s degree with work experience and training in early childhood or school-age
- Two years experience working in a program with children in the past four years or supervised practicum/field experience as required by associate’s degree program or minimum of two years of experience providing leadership/instruction promoting the development of other practitioners
- Membership in a recognized professional organization
- Attend six hours of professional development conference training
Level 6 Baccalaureate Degree
- Current CPR certification and first aid training (if working with children)
- Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 24 credits in early childhood education or bachelor’s degree in a related field of study combined with work experience and professional
training
- Four years experience in a state-registered or licensed early childhood or school-age program or supervised field experience as required by a bachelor’s degree program
or two years experience providing leadership or instruction that promotes the development of other practitioners
- Membership in a recognized professional organization
- Attend six hours of professional development conference training
Level 7 Master’s and Doctoral Degree
- Current CPR certification and first aid training (if working with children)
- Master’s or doctoral degree in early childhood or a closely-related field
- Four years of experience providing leadership or instruction that promotes the development of other practitioners
- Serve as a mentor and educator to others in the field
- Membership in a recognized professional organization
- Attend six hours of professional development conference training
- Demonstration of professional leadership
