Figure 1.
Components of the military professional development system.
Service Branch Level
- Mandatory inspections aligned with NAEYC accreditation criteria
- Inspectors with extensive early childhood backgrounds
- Emphasis on continued NAEYC accreditation
CDC Level
- Directors with degrees and experience related to early childhood
- Well-equipped classrooms and playgrounds
- Emphasis on selective hiring
- Opportunity for on-the-job training
- "Not on your own" support and sense of community
Training & Curriculum Specialist Level
Preservice Qualifications
- BA with early childhood credits
- Experience with young children
Key Dispositions
- Committed to helping caregivers learn
- Willing to share with other T&Cs
- How can I do this better?
- Higher initial caregiver wages
- Raises tied to training milestones
- Recognition for completing training
Standardized
- Orientation
- Annual training
- Modules
As Needed
- CDA facilitation
- Outside training
- Role modeling
- Context-and person-specific feedback