Exploring roles in the ECE community at the local and state levels

As I researched various organizations in my area I came across several organizations and communities of practice that appealed to me.  One of the local organizations that appealed to me was the Maryland Childcare Association (http://www.mscca.org/index.html). I found their mission to promote the growth and development of professional licensed child care and learning centers in Maryland very appealing because of my desire to see improvement in the quality of early childhood programs. In addition, I found that becoming a member of this organization would enable me to become a community of practice consisting of early childhood professionals, advocates and families all committed to making positive changes in the field of early childhood in our state. The benefits of membership are numerous and some of them include; the opportunity to network with early childhood professionals at the local, state and national level, access to active local chapters on a monthly basis, access to trainings, events and conferences, access to mentors, access to a registered state lobbyist who monitors Senate and House bills and advocates for children, families and teachers and the opportunity to have their interests represented Maryland State General Assembly. I believe that becoming a member of this community of practice would offer me numerous opportunities for professional development.

The second organization I was interested in is the Maryland Family Network http://www.friendsofthefamily.org/mission. The mission of this organization is to ensure that young children and families have the resources to learn and succeed. I feel strongly about ensuring that families and children have access to the community supports and services they need and therefore found the work of this organization very appealing. In addition to the services it provides to children and families in the form of Family Support Centers and Parent Leadership programs, the network works in the area of public policy, advocacy and legislation. According to the organization’s website, their work has helped to make Maryland one of the best states in the country for early education and childcare.

The third organization I was interested in was the Montgomery Child Care Association (http://www.mccaedu.org/about_mcca.html). In addition to providing high quality child care and play based education for the children in Montgomery County, Maryland, they provide professional development training for child care providers and advocate for affordable, quality child care for families of all income levels and better training, pay and benefits for child care professionals. I found the work of this organization to be of interest due to my own interest in these issues. While perusing their website I came across two openings, center director and program director. Except for the prior management experience required for both positions, I believe I possess the educational qualifications and skills required for these positions. Some of the required skills and abilities include the knowledge of best practices in child care administration and program management, ability to evaluate child care operations and financial management, excellent judgment and decision making skills, solid understanding of and the ability to assess child development and deliver developmentally appropriate practice, ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with program staff, families and children and effective conflict resolution skills with children, families and team members.

As an early childhood professional, there are many benefits to being a part of a community of practice and collaborating with other organizations committed to the young children and their families. Participating in this program has motivated me to actively seek out communities of practice that I believe will not assist me in my own professional development but assist me in making a difference in the field of early childhood.