Professional Development

High-quality early childhood programs that narrow the academic achievement gap require a well-trained workforce. Both teachers and program administrators need to be fluent in the latest research and strategies on child development and education to effectively meet the diverse needs of children and families. An effective early childhood system gives professionals access to and funding for training, degree programs, and certification programs.

Illinois

The Ounce is a leader in statewide efforts to ensure that Illinois has a well-qualified, culturally diverse, multilingual, and stable early childhood workforce. The Ounce works in collaboration with the Illinois Early Learning Council and advocates to identify and address the educational needs of the early childhood workforce, and to establish an integrated professional development system. Our own Illinois Birth to Three Institute is a vital part of this work.

To promote better training for early childhood professionals, the Ounce successfully advocated for legislation to obtain state funding for early childhood teacher preparation programs. We also helped launch Gateways to Opportunity, the statewide professional development web site. In 2009, the Ounce helped rollout the Illinois Infant-Toddler Credential, a voluntary credential for practitioners who work with children under age three.



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