Early Childhood Career Pathways

Professional Development for staff working in early childhood programs includes:

  • Core knowledge areas: defines and guides what staff should know and do. The core competencies detail the 5 Core knowledge areas. 
  • Career Ladder: 6 levels based on the core knowledge areas and competencies,  and the Vermont Department of Education Professional Standards topic areas for early childhood endorsement.
  • Career Ladder Certificates: One is awarded for achievement of each level.  Requires are: completed education, a current Individual Professional Development Plan (IPDP) and experience in the field.
  • Courses, trainings and other learning opportunities:  are available across the state  based on the core competencies.  They also support achievement of certificates and credentials.
  • Credentials: some are integrated into the Career Ladder and others branch from it.  These recognize specific professional achievement.

Everything is aligned: When you earn a Career Ladder certificate, you may earn a Child Development Division Recognition Bonus and a higher score in your program’s application for STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System) – Staff Qualifications and Annual Professional Development arena.

Below is the interactive Early Childhood Career Ladder.  It  is a tool for tracking and planning professional growth.   Scroll further down this page to find important guidelines for its use.  Also find many resources related to the Career Ladder on the side bar of this page.

Level I Level II Level III Level IV Level V & VI
1. Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals course (45 hours)
or
2. NL approved Level I Portfolio with documentation, 45 hours of verified professional development and one approved observation of the practitioner
or
3. NL approved 3 related college credits in child development including early childhood + basic specialized care, introduction to licensing and one approved observation		 1. Current Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
or
2. NL  approved Level II Portfolio with documentaiton, 125 hours of verified professional development and two approved observations of the practitioner
or
3. NL approved 12 related college credits in at least 2 VT Core Knowledge areas and two approved observations of the practitioner		 A) 1.Completed Vermont Child Care Registered Apprentice
or
2. CCV’s Child Care Certificate program
or
3. Highly Qualified Paraprofessional
or
4. NL approved equivalent: 21 related college credits in at least 3 of the VT Core Knowledge areas and two approved observations of the practitioner		 A) 1. Bachelor Degree in early childhood education or related field or
2. Bachelor Degree  with NL approved 30 related college credits within at least 3 of the VT Core Knowledge Areas		 A) Master Degree in early childhood education or related field Level VI: Doctorate degree in a related field.
B) Associate Degree in early childhood education or related field
or
Associates Degree with 21 related college credits in at least 3 VT Core Knowledge areas
B) Above with VT Department of Education teaching license with endorsement in early childhood, early childhood special education or elementary education
Experience:
One year		 2 years or more 2 years or more 2 years or more including student teaching

Important Information about the Career Ladder:

  • The Early Childhood Career Lattice shows how different jobs in various settings fit into the Early Childhood Career Ladder.  Find the Lattice and other resources in the side bar on this page.  Always check with your employer to make sure you are meeting the program’s job requirements.
  • You do not need to start at Level I; you can apply for any level for which you meet the requirements.
  • Once you achieve a Level Certificate, you may also be eligible for a Professional Recognition Bonus from the Child Development Division. Northern Lights will pass your application on to them.  On the side bar of this page is a W-9 tax form.  You can complete it and send it in with your application, if you think you will be eligible for a Recognition Bonus.
  • A current Individual Development Plan (IPDP) is a required for every Level and Credential application. Your IPDP must be updated or created within the past 3 months.
  • All credits and degrees must be from an accredited college or university. 
  • Related Fields refer to degrees with a major or concentration in: Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Education (early childhood or elementary or special education), or Child and Family Studies (including Home Economics)
  • Related Credits: include courses in the related fields plus Health (including nutrition and nursing), Psychology/ mental health/ child and family studies, Sociology/ human services/ social sciences/social services, Business /administration (related to instruction on early childhood or afterschool program management)
  • VT Core Knowledge areas include: Families and Communities, Child Development, Healthy and Safe Environments, Teaching and Learning, Professionalism and Program Organization
  • “Experience” required to achieve the certificate is defined as: total months working or volunteering as an early childhood professional, full or part time. Experience at Level I may be in any setting with groups of children who are not family members.  Experience at Level II-VI must be in a regulated child care setting.