Child Care and Administrator Certification System

The goals of the Child Care and Administrator Certification System are:

	to create achievable steps on the Child Care Career Ladder that motivate practitioners to view training as a means for building a career rather than simply satisfying a licensing requirement,
	to provide the framework for utilizing workshop training provided outside of secondary and higher education that meets designated criteria and offers potential for articulation by addressing content sequence that builds a core knowledge base,
	to make required training become a means of supporting child care as a career, thus helping it be more meaningful and engaging to practitioners so that it changes practice and improves the quality of care and education provided to the children,
	to seek continuity of instruction that builds on the experiences practitioners have on a daily basis as they work with children,
	coordination of training that simulates the college format of prerequisites, electives and general education, for directors to implement strategies in staffing for advancement, and
	establishing administrative support for giving priority in employment, promotion, and rates of pay based on training and certification levels.

Research has documented the importance of raising provider's perception of the importance of their work. In addition to supporting increases in rate of pay, a system of recognition and rewards will be developed and instituted. Recognition and rewards to caregivers and administrators will include:

	issuing certificates to caregivers and directors according to the levels achieved,
	providing ribbons, pins, buttons, tote bags, notebooks, and other identifiers for participants to wear or use at state conferences, community meetings and other early childhood related functions, and
	supporting and providing public recognition through news releases and recognition events.

Major goals for the Caregiver Certification System are:

	to recognize and show appreciation to caregivers who take their training seriously and are motivated to improve their practice with children,
	to provide a core knowledge base for caregivers to build upon as they continue up the career ladder,
	to raise the level of training for all practitioners so that children in Louisiana will have personnel who are prepared to work effectively with children,
	to support the achievement of specialized knowledge relevant to the ages of children for whom care is provided,
	to begin a paradigm shift leading to caregivers becoming responsible for their own training and career rather than as a means toward a center's license,
	to reduce turnover in the field which is a major issue in quality and costs to child care centers, and
	Encouraging increases in pay or bonuses for specific levels of achievement.

Major goals for the Administration Certification System are:

	to provide the specialized training that directors want and need,
	to encourage aspiring directors to receive training prior to seeking a director position,
	to facilitate caregivers' ability to apply what they learn in their training by addressing the knowledge and skill required of directors who may need help in supporting caregiver efforts, and
	to assist administrators in designing staffing patterns and financial incentives to create opportunities for promotion, increased responsibilities, and financial benefits.