Policy and Procedures Regarding Training Approval for Child Care Licensing and Registration This brochure has been developed to provide concise information regarding the training requirements for child-care licensing and registration with the State of New Mexico. Trainer approval procedures and trainer requirements established by the Children, Youth and Families Department are included as well. New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
Transcript
Policy and Procedures Regarding Training Approval for Child Care Licensing and Registration
This brochure has been developed to provide concise information regarding the trainingrequirements for child-care licensing and registration with the State of New Mexico. Trainer approval procedures and trainer requirements established by the Children, Youthand Families Department are included as well.
New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department
1
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHY DO I NEED SPECIALIZED TRAINING AND EDUCATIONTO WORK WITH CHILDREN? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
WHAT WILL I STUDY TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL IN EARLY CARE,EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
WHAT DO EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS DO? . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
WHAT COUNTS IN FULFILLMENT OF TRAINING REQUIREMENTS? . . . . . . . . . . . .4
DOES THE STATE SPONSOR ANY TRAINING? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE 45-HOUR ENTRY LEVEL COURSE? . . . . . . . . . . .6
WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE 6-HOUR COURSE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
CAN COLLEGE COURSES COUNT AS THE EQUIVALENT TO THE45-HOUR ENTRY LEVEL COURSE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
WHAT ARE THE REGIONAL EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION CONFERENCES? . .8
I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND LEARN MORE ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOODEDUCATION. ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
I WANT TO PROVIDE TRAINING. WHAT ARE THE TRAINER REQUIREMENTS? . .10
WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT TO BE A FACILITATOR OF THE 45-HOURENTRY LEVEL COURSE? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR AN ON-LINE COURSE TO BE APPROVEDAS THE EQUIVALENT TO THE 45-HOUR ENTRY LEVEL COURSE? . . . . . . . . . . .15
2
Because….• the early years are the most important for learning
• young children learn in unique ways
• quality programs for young children require staff who
understand developmentally appropriate practices
facilitate all aspects of child development and learning
establish partnerships with parents and community
model language and support literacy skills
design their program and curriculum based on children’s needs
provide a healthy, safe, challenging learning environment
seek on-going training and professional development
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
WHY DO I NEED SPECIALIZED TRAINING ANDEDUCATION TO WORK WITH CHILDREN?
Seven areas of competency with multiple indicators have been identified as essential for individuals workingwith young children and their families.
WHAT WILL I STUDY TO BECOMEA PROFESSIONAL IN EARLY CARE,EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT?
Professionalism
Child Growth,Development,and Learning
Health,Safety,andNutrition
Family andCommunityCollaboration
DevelopmentallyAppropriateContent
LearningEnvironment
and Curriculum
Implementation
Assessment ofChildren andEvaluation ofPrograms
3
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t
Demonstrate competence in:
I. Child Growth, Development, and Learning.Use knowledge of child development to plan meaningful experiences and activities that promote physical,motor, social, emotional, language, and cognitive development.
II. Health, Safety, and Nutrition.
Establish and maintain an environment that ensures children’s safety and healthy development, good nutrition, safe surroundings and practices, and the building of self-confidence and competence.
III. Family and Community Collaboration.Develop positive and productive relationships with families and community members.
IV. Developmentally Appropriate Content.Implement a program that is age appropriate, individually appropriate, linguistically appropriate, and culturally appropriate.
V. Learning Environment and Curriculum Implementation.Provide meaningful, child involving, stimulating, active learning activities for children that advance all areas of development.
VI. Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs.Engage in on-going program assessment to maintain high quality and observe children’s behavior to planand individualize teaching and learning practices.
VII. Professionalism.Demonstrate understanding of the early childhood profession and implement best practices through continued learning and study.
WHAT DO EARLY CARE AND EDUCATIONPROFESSIONALS DO?
This is a summary of the
competency areas.
To obtain New Mexico’s
Common Core Content
competencies, go to
www.NewMexicoKids.org
4
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
Licensed Centers: All staff members workingtwenty hours or more per week, including thedirector will have twenty-four (24) hours of train-ing each year. Training must address 1st aid, CPR,infection control and at least three competencyareas within one year and all seven competencyareas within two years. Substitutes, volunteers, andcaregivers routinely employed in a center butworking twenty hours or fewer a week will com-plete half the required training hours. Staff mem-bers working directly with children regardless ofthe number of hours per week will complete the45-Hour Entry Level Course or approved 3 creditearly care and education course or an equivalentapproved by the Children, Youth and FamiliesDepartment prior to or within six months ofemployment. This includes work/study studentsand volunteers who are included in the child/staffratio. Substitutes are exempt from this require-ment. The 45-Hour Entry Level Course or anyequivalent course that has been taken to meet thisrequirement can count as meeting the 24 hourtraining requirement for that year.
Additionally, infant and toddler caregivers musthave at lease four (4) hours of training in infantand toddler care within six (6) months of startingwork. The four (4) hours will count toward the 24-hour requirement.
Programs with a 3-STAR, 4-STAR and 5-STARlicense must insure that all classroom and adminis-trative staff in child care centers and family childcare providers complete the 6-Hour Course titledQuality Early Childhood Programs for ALL or anequivalent approved by the Department.
A licensee will keep a complete file regardingtraining requirements for each staff member,including substitutes and volunteers working morethan eight hours of any week and having directcontact with the children. Training records mustcontain documentation of current first-aid and car-diopulmonary resuscitation training, documenta-tion of all appropriate training by date, time, hours
and area of competency, and a written professionaldevelopment plan for each staff member, based onthe seven areas of competency that is consistentwith the New Mexico career lattice based on theindividual’s goals.
Licensed out of school time care programs: Allcaregivers will have at least twenty four (24) hoursof training each year. Training must address atleast three competency areas within one year andall seven competency areas within two years.
Licensed Group Homes, Licensed Family ChildCare Homes: Home-based caregivers working ina home must receive at least twelve (12) docu-mented hours of training each year, including sixhours in child growth and development and threehours in health, safety, nutrition, and infection con-trol. The three remaining training hours must bewithin the seven competency areas. Infant and toddler caregivers must have at least two hours oftraining in infant and toddler care within sixmonths of starting work. Primary caregivers willbe required to complete the 45-Hour Entry LevelCourse or approved 3 credit early care and educa-tion course or equivalent approved by theChildren, Youth and Families Department prior tooperating or within six months of operation. The45-Hour Entry Level Course or any equivalentcourse that has been taken to meet this requirementwill count as meeting the 12 hour training require-ment for that year.
Registered Family Child Care Homes: Primaryand secondary caregivers are required to attend sixhours of training annually. Primary caregivers car-ing for infants shall receive two hours of infantspecific training within six months of registration.Primary caregivers are required to attend first aidtraining during their first year of registration.Remaining hours of training shall be within theseven competency areas. Second caregivers arerequired to meet all training requirements if theyare authorized to provide care in the absence of theprimary caregiver.
WHAT TRAINING IS REQUIRED?
In licensed centers, staff members working directlywith children will have at least twenty-four (24)hours of training each year. Caregivers working ina licensed family child care home will have at least
twelve (12) hours of training each year. Registeredhome providers are required to have at lease six(6) hours of training each year. The following is alist of training that will fulfill the annual trainingrequirements.
WHAT COUNTS IN FULFILLMENT OFTRAINING REQUIREMENTS?
5
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t• Participation in face-to-face training regarding
the seven competency areas primarily throughattendance at a conference, workshop, seminaror course.
• On-Line training with a face-to-face discussioncomponent facilitated by a trainer who has beenapproved for the specific competency area. Amaximum of 4 hours for registered family childcare providers, 6 hours for licensed family childcare homes, and 16 hours for center-based staffper year are allowed through on-line training.On-line training that is repeated will not counttoward child care training hours. Approval ofon-line training does not indicate training will beacceptable for college credit and/or transfer toany institution of higher education. Approval ofthe on-line training does not imply endorsementof the training class or training organization bythe Children, Youth and Families Department.
• Viewing an appropriate video or series of videoswith a face-to-face discussion component facili-tated by a trainer who has been approved for thespecific competency area.
NOTE: Reading an article in a magazine or pro-fessional journal, preparing a class, doing home-work for a college course, conducting a workshop,or teaching a course will NOT count toward meet-ing required training hours.
Training must be provided by people who are reg-istered on the New Mexico Trainer Registry (seepage 10 and page 11). Training provided by centeremployees and directors shall count for not morethan half (1/2) of the required training hours eachyear. Directors may count hours in personnel andbusiness training toward the training requirement.
The Children, Youth and Families Departmentsponsors the following training opportunities:
• The 45-Hour Entry Level Course. This courseis designed as a broad-based introduction to theearly care, education and family support profes-sion. It is intended to provide awareness of theseven competency areas that are the foundationfor New Mexico’s professional developmentsystem (career lattice). The course is open toanyone working directly with young children;particularly staff working in licensed centers andprimary caregivers in licensed family child carehomes. There are fees for this course. Go towww.NewMexicoKids.org for information onwhere and when the 45-Hour Entry LevelCourse is offered. Click on Caregivers andEducators.
• The 18-Hour Course. This course is designedfor registered family child care providers. Thisnew training opportunity bridges a gap in ourearly childhood professional development sys-tem for family child care providers. There arefees for this course.
• The 6-Hour Quality Early ChildhoodPrograms for ALL Course. This course isdesigned as an introduction to special servicesand inclusion resources available to supportearly childhood professionals so that every childis included in early childhood programs. Ideasfor building family partnerships and information
about service providers will be highlighted. Areview of related laws is also included in thecourse. This training is free and is offered by theEarly Childhood Training and TechnicalAssistance Program (TTAP) that serves yourcommunity.
• The Regional Early Care and EducationConferences. These conferences are designedfor anyone working in licensed centers andhomes as well as for registered family child careproviders. Fees may be charged if a provider isnot participating with the child care food pro-gram that is sponsoring the conference.
• Workshops offered by the Early ChildhoodTraining and Technical Assistance (T&TA)Programs. They offer training to professionalswho work in early care and education. Pleaserefer to their current training calendar for infor-mation on available training opportunities.
The Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsorsoffer some training. Check with your local foodprogram sponsor.
To obtain information regarding all state-sponsoredtraining, go to www.NewMexicoKids.org. At thiswebsite you will find information about whentraining is offered, where the training will takeplace and how to contact the regional EarlyChildhood Training and Technical AssistancePrograms.
DOES THE STATE SPONSOR ANY TRAINING?
6
New staff members working directly with childrenregardless of the number of hours per week willcomplete the 45-Hour Entry Level Course orapproved three credit course in early care and education or an equivalent approved by theDepartment prior to or within six months ofemployment. Existing staff will meet this require-ment by December 31, 2005. The Department hasapproved the following alternatives to the 45-HourEntry Level Course:
• If an individual has obtained a ChildDevelopment Associate credential or Child CareProfessional certificate within the past 15 years,they meet and exceed the requirement.
• If an individual has a current Montessori orWaldorf Teacher Certificate from a recognizedMontessori or Waldorf Teacher EducationProgram, they meet and exceed this requirement.
• Early childhood coursework taken online orthrough correspondence or distance learning ful-fills this requirement IF taken from an accredit-ed institution of higher education.
• Three transcripted semester credits in earlychildhood education, family studies, early child-hood special education or child developmenttaken at an accredited institution of higher edu-cation within the past fifteen years that clearlyaddresses one or more of the seven competencyareas is considered to be equivalent to the 45-Hour Entry Level Course. These courses can betaken online, through distance learning orthrough correspondence, but must be transcript-ed and be from an accredited institution. NOTE: If the above-mentioned early childhood
coursework is more than 15 years old and theindividual has been continuously working inchild care and has met the annual trainingrequirements for the last five years, the course-work will count as the equivalent to the 45-HourEntry Level Course.
• Courses that have been audited in early child-hood education, family studies, early childhoodspecial education or child development willmeet the requirement if the course/s are transcripted by an accredited institution of higher education.
• Transcripted early childhood education coursesobtained through the Prior Learning Assessment(PLA) process.
NOTE: Other college courses, such as elementaryeducation whose title doesn’t clearly reflect thecompetency area, must be submitted to the Officeof Child Development for approval. Criteria usedwill be whether or not the course significantlyaddresses one or more of the seven competencyareas at the “awareness” level. The course syllabiand course description must be submitted alongwith a transcript indicating successful completionof the course.
Important: If you aspire to enter a certificate ordegree program in early childhood education, westrongly encourage you to NOT take the 45-HourEntry Level Course. Rather, you should contactyour local institution of higher education and beginyour early childhood education course of study.Information regarding New Mexico’s UniversalCatalogue of Courses may be obtained atwww.NewMexicoKids.org.
WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE 45-HOUR ENTRY LEVEL COURSE?
The 6-Hour Quality Early Childhood Programs for ALL Course is required for staff working in 3-STAR, 4-STAR, and 5-STAR programs. TheDepartment has approved the following as beingequivalent to the 6-Hour Course:
• Completion of a college level course that focuseson Special Education or Early Childhood SpecialEducation. A course taken online or through cor-respondence or distance learning or that has beenaudited fulfills the requirement IF taken from anaccredited institution of higher education.
• Training that focuses on early childhood specialeducation, inclusive practices, inclusion andearly intervention may be approved by theOffice of Child Development. Contact the Officeof Child Development to obtain the form to beused to document and demonstrate comparabili-ty to the 6-Hour Course. This form should becompleted and submitted to the Office of ChildDevelopment at least 45 days prior to the sched-uled training.
WHAT IS EQUIVALENT TO THE 6-HOUR QUALITYEARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS FOR ALL COURSE?
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
The following 3 credit hour courses are offered at 2-year and 4-year Institutions of Higher Education in NewMexico. These courses are approved as the equivalent of the 45-Hour Entry Level Course.
7
CAN COLLEGE COURSES COUNT ASTHE EQUIVALENT TO THE 45-HOURENTRY LEVEL COURSE?
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t
Associate Degree Level
Child Growth Development & Learning
Family and Community Collaboration
Curriculum Development Through Play*
Curriculum Development and Implementation*
Introduction to Reading, Language & Literacy
Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs
Guiding Young Children
*a 2 Credit Hour Practicum is required
Bachelor Degree Level
Research in Child Growth, Development &Learning
Family, Language and Culture
Young Children with Diverse Abilities
Advanced Caregiving for Infants and Toddlers
Emergent Literacy
Integrated Curriculum—Birth through Age 4*
*a 2 Credit Hour Practicum is required
8
The Regional Early Care and Education Conferences are offered in various locations throughout the state.The half-day conference offers workshops on a variety of competency areas related to the care of young children. Contact your local Child and Adult Care Food Program Sponsor or regional Early ChildhoodTraining and Technical Assistance Program (T&TA) to obtain dates and times for the conference in yourarea. For more information on these conferences, please call 1-800-EAT-COOL, or go towww.NewMexicoKids.org.
WHAT ARE THE REGIONAL EARLY CAREAND EDUCATION CONFERENCES?
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
9
It is important that you seek advisement from early childhood higher education faculty before taking collegecoursework to ensure that it will count toward a vocational certificate, degree program, teacher certification, orteacher licensure.
Staff working in a licensed center and any family child care provider that is licensed or registered by the Children,Youth and Families Department may be eligible for a scholarship through T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood NEWMEXICO. For more information, visit the following website www.NewMexicoKids.orgor call 505-243-5437.
Other scholarship and/or financial assistance awards may be available through your local institution of highereducation.
I WANT TO GO TO COLLEGE AND LEARNMORE ABOUT EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION.ARE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t
College/University Contact Person Phone E-Mail Address
Central New Mexico Erica Volkers (505) 224-3597 [email protected] College
For Child Care Licensing Training Hours: TheChild Care Licensing Regulations state that, train-ing must be provided by people who are registeredon the New Mexico Trainer Registry. Visitwww.NewMexicoKids.org for information. CYFDhas established a trainer registry for the approvalof those wanting to train providers working withyoung children in meeting the child care licensingregulations. The following is criteria for trainerapproval established by the Children, Youth andFamilies Department.
Criteria for Trainer ApprovalThe purpose of the Trainer Registry is to:• Ensure that early care professionals receive
instruction by qualified individuals based on the seven competency areas (refer to page 2 & page 3).
• Establish policies and procedures for the currentregulations.
Categories of TrainersCommunity Trainer – Approval for a SpecificTraining This approval would be for a specifictopic/competency area for a specific training eventin a topic other than early childhood education. An example of a Community Trainer would besomeone who has experience in the topic andwants to provide training on the related topic (for example, an individual who wants to provide training 1st Aid/CPR Training).
Criteria:Completed application* indicating:• Two years of experience in related topic/compe-
tency area or a certificate to train on a particular topic (for example, First Aid/CPR).
Competency Trainer – Approval for aCompetency Area (Please refer to page 2 andpage 3 for information on the Competency Areas)This approval would be for a trainer who has specific education and experience in any of thecompetency areas (for example, a nutritionist who wants to provide training on common foodallergies in young children).
Criteria:Completed application* indicating:• AA degree or higher in the area related to the
specific competency.
• For Early Childhood Education, an EarlyChildhood Certificate, AA Degree or higher.
• Minimum of four years experience in relatedcompetency.***
• At least 10 hours of experience in providingtraining to adult learners in the past threeyears.***
I WANT TO PROVIDE TRAINING. WHAT ARE THE TRAINER REQUIREMENTS?
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
11
Level I Master Trainer of Adult Learners in allCompetency Areas (Please refer to page 2 and 3for information on the Competency Areas) Thisapproval would be for a trainer who has therequired education and experience in the field ofearly childhood education or a related area asdescribed below.
Criteria:Completed application* indicating:• AA degree or higher in early childhood educa-
tion or related area indicating course work cov-ering all seven (7) competency areas at the asso-ciate’s degree level. Until 6/30/07, provisionalapproval can be granted with ChildDevelopment Associate credential.
• Minimum of two years experience working withchildren.***
• At least 20 hours of experience in providingtraining to adult learners in the past three years.***
Level II Master Trainer of Adult Learners in allCompetency Areas (Please refer to pages 2 and 3for more information on the Competency Areas)This approval would be for a trainer who has a BAdegree or higher in early childhood education orrelated area.
Criteria:Completed application* indicating:• BA or higher in early childhood education or
related area indicating course work covering allseven (7) competency areas at the bachelor’sdegree level.
• Minimum of two years experience working withchildren.**
• Two references of recommendation from colleagues that maintain the same or greaterlevel of education and/or experience.
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t• At least 20 hours of experience in providing
training to adult learners in the past threeyears.***
*An application must include: • Official copy/ies of college transcript/s, which
are required when applying to be approved in acompetency area other than that which is repre-sented by a certificate of degree, license or credential.
• Copy of diploma, current license, or current credential, if applicable.
• Signed Philosophy and Guiding Principles forAdult Learning.
Your resume or vita (not required for CommunityTrainers)
**An extension may be granted if the applicant is work-ing towards an AA degree or higher in the related com-petency area.
***If an applicant does not meet the criteria regardingexperience working with children or with adult learners,they could apply with two (2) references. The education-al criteria must still be met.
Conference Presenter/Keynote SpeakerThis approval is for a presenter and/or keynotespeakers who does not reside in the State of NewMexico. The individual must be nationally recog-nized in the field of early care, education and fam-ily support. Prior to the conference, the conferenceorganizing agency shall submit to the Office ofChild Development the names of the presenter/sand keynote speaker/s including each individual’sarea of expertise. The Office of Child Develop-ment will add the individuals to the New MexicoTrainer Registry.
12
We welcome administrators and teachers in childcare, preschool, and Head Start programs becom-ing facilitators of the 45-Hour Entry Level Course.All 45-Hour Entry Level Course facilitatorsmust apply to the New Mexico Trainer Registryand must be approved as a Master Level 1 orMaster Level 2 Trainer of the New MexicoTrainer Registry. All facilitators must meet thecriteria for a Level I or Level II Master Trainer inorder to be approved and certified to teach the 45-Hour Entry Level Course.
Facilitators may apply online to the TrainerRegistry at www.NewMexicoKids.org. Theapproval process is completed at local Trainingand Technical Assistance Programs. Facilitator cer-tification will be issued by the Children, Youth andFamilies Department, Office of ChildDevelopment.
Facilitators may provide the Course for their ownstaff, but must adhere to the following guidelines:
• The 45-Hour Entry Level Course must be opento the staff of other programs in the communityin order to 1) assist in meeting the demand forthe Course, and 2) to have Course participantswith as wide a range of perspectives and experi-ences as possible in order that the “dialogue” ofthe course is varied and diverse.
• If the Course is being offered by a program fortheir own staff, there must be at least one otherCo-Facilitator from another program – especial-ly if the facilitator is the direct supervisor of anyof the Course participants. The Co-Facilitatormust be responsible for at least one-half (1/2) ofthe course. A foundational element of the Courseis the dialogue that takes place between partici-pants and the exploration of ideas based on theexperiences of those in the Course. The dia-logues and the freedom to express ideas or askquestions may be severely limited if theFacilitator is the participants’ direct supervisor.
• The 45-Hour Entry Level Course must be con-ducted following all the normal guidelines forthe course (for example, maximum number ofparticipants, 2 1/2 hour modules, observationsthat are integrated into the modules, etc.)
Many programs have successfully offered theCourse. These have been done collaboratively in amanner that best meet the needs of programs in acommunity…. and have successfully met the aboveguidelines. For example, several programs in onecommunity provide the course to all their newestemployees during the “slow time” betweenChristmas and New Years. Programs in anothernearby community “trade off” to provide the Coursefor teachers in programs other than their own.
Initial Applicants
Potential facilitators must apply to the NewMexico Trainer Registry online atwww.NewMexicoKids.org and be an approvedtrainer. Applicants must meet the Criteria forTrainer Approval to train in all competency areas.The local Training and Technical AssistancePrograms will review the application to ensure thatthe potential facilitator meets the requirements.
In order to be an approved facilitator for the 45-Hour Course, applicants must also complete theFacilitator Application Form for the 45-Hour EntryLevel Course and submit it to the local Trainingand Technical Assistance Program for pre-approval. The Office of Child Development determines final approval.
First-time facilitators must complete a day-longfacilitator training.
After completion of the facilitator training, theChildren, Youth and Families Department, Officeof Child Development will issue a temporary cer-tificate for one year. A standard Facilitator certifi-cate will be issued at the annual re-certification,based on successful completion of courses, positivefacilitator course evaluations, and attendance at theannual 45-Hour Entry Level Course renewal class.
Facilitators must agree to participate in theCourse/Facilitator evaluation process as estab-lished by the Office of Child Development in addi-tion to any other process that may be in placethrough the agency or organization offering theCourse.
A first-time Facilitator must co-teach their firstcourse with an experienced Facilitator.
WHAT IS THE REQUIREMENT TO BE AFACILITATOR OF THE 45-HOUR ENTRYLEVEL COURSE?
New
Mex
ico
Ch
ildre
n,Y
ou
th&
Fam
ilies
Dep
artm
ent
13
Veteran Facilitators
• Facilitator Certificates must be renewed whennotified by the Office of Child Development.
• Facilitators must attend a required day-longFacilitator Renewal Training.
Facilitators must participate in the Course/Facilitator evaluation process as established by theOffice of Child Development in addition to anyother process that may be in place through theagency or organization offering the course.
Organization and Scheduling of the 45-HourEntry Level Course
• All 45-Hour Courses must be taught by anapproved facilitator.
• The Course facilitator must contact the localTraining and Technical Assistance Program priorto finalizing the logistics of the Course and atleast 30 days prior to the start date of theCourse. This will allow the Training andTechnical Assistance Program sufficient time toorder the Course manuals, assist with advertisingthe Course, etc.
• Community agencies that wish to offer the 45-Hour Course will have total responsibility toorganize the logistics of the Course, contactapproved facilitators, organize the training andobservation site/s, etc. It is expected that therebe an approved Co-Facilitator. The 45-HourEntry Level Course is not intended to be offeredby a Program Director as in-service for onlyhis/her own staff. If a Program Director offersthe Course, staff from other programs must beincluded as Course participants. In addition,there must be at least one other approved Co-Facilitator from another programs who willbe responsible for at least one-half (1/2) of thecourse. The other programs should be expectedto share the cost for their staff to attend theCourse.
• At least 30 days prior to each Course beingdelivered, Facilitators will sign an agreementwith the agency or organization offering theCourse. This agreement will state all require-ments and expectations of the Course.
• All Courses should be listed on thewww.NewMexicoKids.org training calendar atleast 30 days prior to start of Course.
• If the Course is offered by the regional Trainingand Technical Assistance Program, there is nocost to participants except the cost of materials.
• If the Course is taken at an institution of highereducation, there will be registration fees andtuition costs in addition to the cost of purchasingthe participant manual.
• If the Course is offered by an individual or enti-ty with approved 45-Hour Entry Level CourseFacilitators, there may be fees. Preferably thefees should be paid by the program. The maxi-mum amount an approved Facilitator maycharge is $150.00 per participant, including theparticipant manual.
• 45-Hour Entry Level Course manuals must beordered through the local Training and TechnicalAssistance Program. It is expected that a 45-Hour Entry Level Course manual be pur-chased for each participant. Do not make copiesof the Course manuals. Please allow at least oneweek for delivery of the manuals.
• Class size is limited to a minimum of 5 partici-pants and a maximum of 20 participants.
Delivery of 45-Hour Entry Level Course
Facilitators will:
• Utilize the current facilitator and participantmanuals to teach the Course. All modules mustbe covered. Supplemental materials may beincorporated in addition to standard material;
• Use adult education principles; (please refer towww.NewMexicoKids.org for information onthe Philosophy and Guiding principles for AdultLearning in New Mexico’s Early Care,Education, and Family Support ProfessionalDevelopment System);
• Assure that the field observations are done at aquality site. If the Course is being taught at aparticular child care setting (i.e. a local childdevelopment center), the field observations musttake place at another facility. If there is anaccredited center or accredited family child carehome in the community, arrange for the observa-tions to take place at this facility. If there is notan accredited facility in the community, arrangefor the observations to take place at a kinder-garten classroom, a Head Start and/or EarlyHead Start classroom, or a licensed family childcare home;
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t
14
• Ensure participation of the learners;
• Utilize local experts as guest speakers for specific topics as needed;
• Schedule sessions that are convenient to thepopulation (i.e., evening and weekend courses);
• Complete the entire Course within a time periodthat is the equivalent of one semester (4 months); and
• Ensure that the participants’ direct supervisordoes not facilitate more than one-half of theCourse.
• Contact the Office of Child Development toobtain Certificates of Completion for the Course participants who fulfill all the require-ments for the Course.
Co-Facilitators will:
• Have had experience as an approved trainer forthe 45-Hour Entry Level Course.
• Meet with the facilitator prior to the beginningof the Course to discuss the delivery of theCourse content, logistics, etc.
• Facilitate the first module to model best practices in adult learning.
• Team facilitate at least the second module.
• Make periodic observations during the remain-ing modules/training sessions, if it is determinedthat the trainer and training methodologies areacceptable. If it is determined that the trainerand training methodologies are not acceptable,the co-facilitator will continue team facilitationuntil such a time when the co-facilitator feelscomfortable with the trainer.
• Will provide constructive feedback to the facilitator.
Course Evaluation
• Two evaluations will be completed for aFacilitator for each Course that is taught—oneby Course participants and the other by the localTraining and Technical Assistance Program.
• Completed evaluations will be shared withCourse Facilitators.
• The local Training and Technical AssistancePrograms will provide the Office of ChildDevelopment with a final and complete summa-ry based on the completed evaluations.
• Facilitators receiving repeated negative evalua-tions from Course participants, supervisors,and/or the Office of Child Development mayresult in the Child Development Board revokingan individual’s Facilitator Certification.
• Inappropriate or unprofessional conduct whilefacilitating a Course will result in the ChildDevelopment Board revoking an individual’sFacilitator Certification.
• The Office of Child Development will completea 6-month follow up with 20% of the partici-pants; surveying the impact of the Course onclassroom practices.
Oversight of Course
• Prior to offering the Course, the local Trainingand Technical Assistance Programs will:
- pre-approve each Facilitator application, and
- notify the Office of Child Developmentwhen the Facilitator has met all the requirements for certification.
- approve each Course and order Course materials.
• During the Course, the local Training andTechnical Assistance Programs will:
- monitor the compliance through observationand evaluation of courses.
• After the Course, the Office of ChildDevelopment will print training certificates andthe local Training and Technical AssistancePrograms will issue the participant certificatesafter successful completion and evaluation of theCourse. Participants who successfully completethe Course will be entered into the 45-HourCourse Participant Database.
• The foundational philosophy of the 45-hourentry level course is building a relationship withparticipants. As a result, facilitators are expectedto conduct at least one-half (1/2) of the course.N
ewM
exic
oC
hild
ren
,Yo
uth
&F
amili
esD
epar
tmen
t
15
New Mexico is expanding the training options forchild-care professionals by accepting on-line train-ing as the equivalent of the 45-Hour Entry LevelCourse. An on-line course that is the equivalent tothe 45-Hour Entry Level Course should be abroad-based introduction to the early care, educa-tion and family support profession and cover theseven competency areas (see page 2 and 3). Itshould be intended to provide awareness of theseven competency areas that are the foundation forNew Mexico’s professional development system(career lattice).
Training organizations that wish to offer an on-linecourse that may meet the equivalent to the 45-Hour Entry Level Course must apply to theChildren, Youth and Families Department, Officeof Child Development for approval under the aus-pices of an approved professional organization thathas an affiliate chapter in New Mexico.
The following must be submitted to the Office ofChild Development for approval:
• A letter from the state professional organizationthat includes contact information.
• Name of training organization/training sourceand contact person.
• The syllabus for each module, with number ofhours for each module, and stated learningobjectives.
• The curriculum for each module with specifiedexperiential and/or applied activities.
• Resumes of all persons who developed thecourse curricula.
• Certification that course instructors meet theCriteria for Trainer Approval in all CompetencyAreas—Level I or Level II Master Trainer(see page 10 & page 11).
• A bibliography used in the development of thecourse curricula.
• Detailed documentation that shows course cur-ricula alignment with the New Mexico CoreCompetencies Areas.
• Detailed documentation that shows alignmentwith each module of the 45-Hour Entry LevelCourse.
• Registration and course requirements, includingfees, computer hardware specifications, etc.
• A description of other supports available to stu-dents (for example - chat rooms, supplementaryresource materials, phone consultation, etc.)
• A detailed description of the assessment process orevaluation tool used to measure student learning.
• A description of documentation of course com-pletion from the training source.
Within thirty days (30) of receipt the required doc-uments and information, the Office of ChildDevelopment will schedule a meeting (either inperson or by telephone) with the representative ofthe professional organization affiliate chapterrequesting approval of the on-line course and therepresentative from the training source. The pur-pose of this meeting is to review the training docu-ments and materials and to provide/receive addi-tional pertinent information related to the on-linecourse.
After the meeting has been held, the Office ofChild Development will have thirty days (30) toapprove or disapprove the on-line course as theequivalent to the 45-Hour Entry Level Course. Ifthe course is approved, the representative of theprofessional organization, the representative fromthe training source and the Child Care LicensingUnit will be notified. If the course is not approved,the training organization may appeal the decisionto the Child Development Board. The decision ofthe Child Development Board is final.
WHAT IS THE PROCESS FOR AN ON-LINECOURSE TO BE APPROVED AS THE EQUIVALENTTO THE 45-HOUR ENTRY LEVEL COURSE?
New
Mexico
Ch
ildren
,Yo
uth
&F
amilies
Dep
artmen
t
Or Call
Children, Youth and Families DepartmentOffice of Child Development505-827-7946
16
www.NewMexicoKids.org
Click on Care Givers and Educators, then click on Training Calendar, then click on map to view training events in your area.
