Institute Policy Brief

Coaching – individualized professional development grounded in the daily practice of the early childhood classroom – is one of the most effective strategies to equip our workforce for success (Kraft, Blazar, & Hogan, 2018). In this brief, we discuss:

1. why we should expand access to coaching,
2. what makes coaching effective in a birth-to-five context, and
3. what steps New York State has taken to create a coaching infrastructure.

This policy brief from the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute identifies recommendations to improve recruitment and raise the caliber of early childhood candidates. These recommendations address the need to create a greater understanding of the value of early childhood education, make early childhood careers more viable and attractive, and encourage a culturally competent workforce.

This policy brief from the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute identifies recommendations to develop a comprehensive approach to induction that will enhance the early childhood workforce. These recommendations address early childhood educators’ need for guidance as they apply developmentally appropriate practice in action, continue their professional growth, and solidify their commitment to the field.

This policy brief from the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute introduces a new approach to early childhood teacher preparation and shares recommendations for providing early childhood educators with the coursework, field experiences, and institutional supports to thrive when they enter the classroom.

We must reinvigorate New York's early childhood workforce by starting right: with highly motivated, qualified, diverse, and prepared early childhood teachers. Institute is launching a three point policy agenda:

1. activate recruitment efforts
2. improve teacher preparation
3. establish teacher induction programs

This issue gives an overview of these agenda items. Future issues of the policy brief will adress each in detail.

In the latest policy brief from the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, Amy Dombro and Sherry Cleary identify the need for a coordinated approach to the development of early childhood professionals, and outline strategies for accomplishing this critical work.