National Organizations

NAEYC- National Association for the Education of Young Children

http://www.naeyc.org/

This organization appealed to me because it is probably the most widely known in the early childhood field. It is a great resource for early childhood professionals, teachers and families with children. "The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a professional membership organization that works to promote high-quality early learning for all young children, birth through age 8, by connecting early childhood practice, policy, and research" (NAEYC, n.d.). On the NAEYC website there is a link for job openings in the association. Currently, there are a few director positions that would manage programs within the organization, a couple of positions in the accounting department, and an editor position. None of those interest me at this time.

NECPA- National Early Childhood Program Accreditation

http://www.necpa.net/necpastandards.php

This organization creates standards and offers an accreditation program for early childhood programs to demonstrate high quality. "The NECPA has a heritage of supporting the profession of early care and education by encouraging the availability of high quality, affordable child care and preschool programs for children, families and communities" (NECPA, 2015). The website also has a page with resources that would be helpful to ECE professionals. I didn't see any jobs listed on the website but there is a link to apply to become a certified verifier. A member of the certified verifier team gets to visit programs going through the accreditation process to observe, document, and gather information related to the quality standards. I think that job would be so much fun. I would love to see what other quality programs are doing around the state.

The Ounce of Prevention Fund

http://www.theounce.org/who-we-are/why-investments-in-early-childhood-work?gclid=CLXr78vrjcgCFURlfgodhXgH9Q

This organization helps fund programs that work to provide quality early experiences to infants and young children, especially those living in poverty. The organization works together with other advocacy programs, they use research to help design quality programs for families and children, and they advocate for additional funding to support children and families. "Since 1982, the Ounce of Prevention Fund has persistently pursued a single goal: that all American children—particularly those born into poverty—have quality early childhood experiences in the crucial first five years of life" (Ounce of Prevention Fund, 2015). The website has a link for careers which lists many job openings ranging from teachers to web designers to research associates. I would be interested in becoming a "parent, family, and community engagement coordinator." I am currently not qualified but the job sounded challenging and interesting.  It entails working with Early/Head Start in developing, supporting, and providing training in the area of parent, family and community partnerships. 

Personal characteristics, qualities, and skills that would be necessary to work for these organizations include:

-Professionalism

-A strong understanding of the NAEYC Code of Ethics

-Leadership skills

-Organization skills

-Confidence

-Public speaking skills

-A strong background in the early childhood field

-strong skills in writing

-self-motivated

-cultural competency

References:

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (n.d.). About NAEYC. Retrieved from http://www.naeyc.org/content/about-naeyc

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation. (2015). History. Retrieved fromhttp://www.necpa.net/history.php

The Ounce of Prevention Fund. (2015). Who we are. Retrieved from http://www.theounce.org/archived%20pages/about-us-archive