Early Childhood Professionals & Education

Providing quality childcare experiences hinges on a strong network of qualified professionals working within a supportive educational and economic environment. A critical component of quality childcare is quality teaching. Quality teaching depends on a strong foundation provided by excellent personnel preparation and appropriate wage based compensations.

Child care teachers, however, face many barriers to college education. In order to provide accessible education opportunities, these challenges must be addressed:

• lack of program funds for paid release time and substitute caregivers during work hours,
• time constraints of child care providers-many of whom have dependents- making after hours personnel preparation difficult,
• lack of personal access to computers to receive online courses and technical support,
• low wages with little incentive to pursue additional educational experiences,
• lack of knowledge about computer and Internet use

Distance learning can help teachers access education by removing the barriers of time, travel, dependent care and course availability. Distance learning courses offered through the SUNY System provide college credit that may be applied to an associate degree and articulated into a four-year degree with prior course approval by both institutions. Students who are interested in obtaining a college degree are encouraged to contact the early childhood or education department at their local community college to receive advisement on the courses required for completion of a degree.

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