Programs that do not currently meet the program administrator qualifications will have five years to do so. In the interim, the program should document progress toward meeting the qualifications with a professional development plan on its annual report.
In addition, recognizing that many successful program administrators completed their baccalaureate degree or higher without completing the required 9 hours of coursework in administration, leadership and/or management, a guideline will be defined that specifies alternative ways by which this requirement may be met through a combination of years of successful work experience as an early childhood program administrator and completion of relevant professional development experiences prior to a specific date. See table below.
Table 2. Alternative Pathways to Achieve Educational Qualifications of a Program Administrator
Individuals who can provide documentation of having achieved a combination of formal education, experience and relevant training equaling at least 100 points by the values assigned below are considered to meet the qualifications identified in the NAEYC Accreditation Criteria.
|
| Formal Education |
Experience |
Relevant Training/Credentials |
| Must be able to document educational experiences equaling a minimum of 50 points and a maximum of 70 points from this column |
Must be able to document work experiences equaling a minimum of 15 and a maximum of 50 points from this column |
Must be able to document a minimum of 5 points and a maximum of 35 points from this column |
| Baccalaureate degree or higher in early childhood education, child development & family studies, early childhood special education, or elementary education that encompasses development and learning of children birth through kindergarten; but lacking 9 credit hours in leadership, management and/or administration |
70 |
At least 5 years experience as a program administrator that includes leading a program through and maintaining NAEYC Accreditation for at least 2 years |
50 |
College credits or training hours must be related to management knowledge/skills and early childhood knowledge/skills
1 college credit = 4 points
4 contact hours of training within past 5 years = 1 point
State director credential approved by NAEYC = 35 pts
|
| Baccalaureate degree or higher in educational leadership, management or a related field (human services administration, business administration, organizational development, public administration) but lacking 24 credit hours that encompass development and learning of children birth through kindergarten |
65 |
At least 3 years experience as a program administrator that includes successfully leading the program through the NAEYC Accreditation process (at least 12 months prior to visit) |
40 |
| Baccalaureate degree or higher in ECE-related field (social work, psychology) without 24 credit hours that encompass development and learning of children birth through kindergarten and without 9 credit hours in leadership, management, and/or administration |
60 |
At least 5 years of experience as a program administrator in a program not accredited by NAEYC |
25 |
| Associate degree in ECE/CD |
55 |
At least 3 years of experience as a program administrator in a program not accredited by NAEYC |
15 |
| Baccalaureate degree or higher in any other field |
50
|