Quality Initiatives for Early Childhood and School-Age Educators

South Dakota Core Knowledge and Competencies (CKCs)

The South Dakota Core Knowledge and Competencies (CKCs) outline essential knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions that all early childhood and school-age educators should demonstrate to support children's development, learning, and well-being. These competencies apply to a variety of settings, including:

• Center-based care
• Family child care
• Head Start and Early Head Start
• Preschool classrooms
• School-age care programs
• Teaching and mentoring roles

Regardless of an individual’s professional status or background, the CKCs provide a framework to help educators assess their competency, set personal development goals, and work toward continuous improvement.

 

South Dakota Pathways to Professional Development

Pathways is a comprehensive tool designed to elevate the quality of care in early childhood and school-age settings. It provides professionals with a guide for their growth and development in the field. By using Pathways, educators can:

• Explore options for professional growth
• Pursue continuing education opportunities
• Be formally recognized for their commitment to advancing knowledge and competencies

Pathways supports professionals working with children from birth through age 12 and is essential for those dedicated to improving care standards across South Dakota.

 

South Dakota ECE Resources

South Dakota ECE Resources offers a robust hub of tools designed to support the efficient management of child care programs. This valuable resource is available at no cost to all licensed and registered child care providers in South Dakota. With over 2,600 practical, editable tools and templates, educators can access:

• State and federal regulations and guidance
• Samples of recordkeeping basics, policies, and procedures
• Child management forms, toolkits, and handbooks for parents and employees
• A user-friendly, 24/7 platform for resources that strengthen and stabilize child care businesses