Jobs/Roles in Early Childhood Education Community: National/Federal Level

The first National agencies I choose to explore are the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NEAYC).  NAEYC is the leading membership association for those working with and on behalf of children from birth through age 8. NAEYC convenes thought leaders, teachers and other practitioners, researchers, and other stakeholders and sets standards of excellence for programs and teachers in early childhood education. NAEYC members include teachers, Para-pros, center directors, trainers, college educators, families of young children, and the public at large. Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children. The NAEYC Academy sets and monitors standards for high-quality early childhood education programs and accredits programs that meet these standards. NAEYC Accreditation has been helping parents make the right choices and improving the quality of education and care provided in programs for young children since the early 1980s.  Parents looking for a high-quality program for their young child can watch the Right Choice for Kids video and search for an NAEYC-Accredited program. Programs interested in achieving NAEYC Accreditation can learn more at www.naeyc.org/academy. The only job opportunity available at this time is a Chief IT Officer in Washington DC.  This job required a BS in IT or related computer field.

The second national organization I choose to explore was National Head Start Association (NHSA). NHSA’s mission is to coalesce, inspire and support the Head Start field as a leader in early childhood development and education. NHSA is determined to play a valued leadership role in this country's efforts to educate and serve its most vulnerable children and families and actively committed to being a high-impact organization. This organization also values partnerships and collaboration and are intent on transforming ourselves into a relationship-based organization. There was only one job opportunity posted on the website which was for a Public Policy and Research Director in Washington DC. This job required a Doctorate degree and experience as a Director.

The third national organization I chose to explore was National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies (NACCRA). NACCRRA, the National Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, is our nation’s leading voice for child care. We work with more than 600 state and local Child Care Resource and Referral agencies to ensure that families in every local community have access to quality, affordable child care. To achieve our mission, we lead projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, offer comprehensive training to child care professionals, undertake groundbreaking research, and advocate for child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families. Since 1987, NACCRRA has been working to improve the system of early learning for children by Providing training, resources and best practices standards to local and state CCR&Rs that support high-quality, accountable services. Promoting national policies and partnerships which facilitate universal access to high quality child care. Collecting, analyzing, and reporting current child care data and research, including child care supply and demand trends. Offering child care and parenting information and resources to families and connecting families to local CCR&R services.  At this time there were no job openings listed under human resources.