The ECE Profession

NEW Roundtable Update: Our Recommended Timeline; Share Your Input on Needed Resources

It's time for early childhood education to be a well-prepared, well-compensated profession.

We seek professional recognition for early childhood educators from the State of Vermont.

Our vision for the ECE Profession: That each and every child, beginning at birth, has the opportunity to benefit from high-quality, affordable early childhood education, delivered by an effective, diverse, well-prepared, and well-compensated workforce.

Creating a Profession Aligned With Our Vision

Next Steps In Vermont

Making our request to the State and Legislature

We are requesting that the State of Vermont recognize early childhood educators as professionals, in alignment with our workforce-approved recommendations and the future national early childhood education profession.

A National Profession

Momentum is building for an ECE profession recognized across states

Our recommendations align with the national Unifying Framework for the Early Childhood Education Profession.

We collaborate with the national Commission on Professional Excellence in Early Childhood Education, which views Vermont’s work as a model for other states.

Nothing About Us Without Us

Workforce-informed at every step

We are led by a Task Force of home, center, and school-based early childhood educators from across the state. We will advocate for policies that support the educators currently working in our mixed-delivery system.

How Will This Affect Me?

Frequently Asked Questions from Vermont ECEs

How will today’s workforce be supported as qualifications change?
How will this work with current systems?
How long will this take?
How does this impact our workforce shortage?

Already Involved?
Next Steps and Resources

Attend Roundtable Updates: ECE workforce members, register here for the latest updates and contribute to the discussion
Review Our Recommendations: Workforce-approved components of the ECE Profession, and supports for today’s workforce
Read our Request: Our initial request to the State of Vermont is the Sunrise Review Application to the Office of Professional Recognition
Short Version: Read the Executive Summary of the Sunrise Review Application
Read the Explainer: “The Need for a Comprehensive Range of Licenses to Practice ECE”
Claim Your Identity: Get started with our Professional Identity Toolkit
Ready to step up as an advocate for our shared vision of an ECE profession? Subscribe or manage your preferences to receive calls to action

Getting Up to Speed? Start Here!

More than 1,000 Vermont early childhood educators have helped shape our recommendations for an ECE profession.

In addition to our workforce, we work closely with state agencies, organizational partners, higher ed, and the national commission.

See our recommendations to policymakers for components of an ECE Profession in Vermont, and for how we can support our workforce through implementation.

Project Leadership

This initiative is led by a Task Force of Vermont early childhood educators; resourced by a Core Team of stakeholders, funders, and consultants; supported by Design Teams; and energized by an engaged workforce.

Project Timeline

Since 2018, more than 1,000 early childhood educators have contributed to our shared vision of an ECE profession.

Resources

Includes explainers, social media posts, flyers, toolkits, Consensus Documents, videos, Professional Development recordings and recaps, links to publications, and more.

What Can I Do?

Stay engaged with ongoing professional development and informational opportunities.

Roundtable Updates

Led by Rachel Hunter, Outreach Coordinator

Roundtable Updates are conversational, live 45 minute updates offered monthly or as needed. They keep early childhood educators informed about progress in the work to establish an ECE Profession in Vermont, and invite workforce feedback.

November / December 2024 Roundtable Update:
Our Recommended Timeline; Share Your Input on Needed Resources
Our request to the State of Vermont includes our recommended timeline for phasing in an ECE profession. To support today’s workforce during future transitions, we need resources that credit experience and honor early childhood educators working in all settings. These roundtables are opportunities to learn about our recommended timeline and name the resources you will need. Each session focuses on either family home-based or center-based educators, but any interested ECE is welcome in any session. Please note, there are no professional development hours associated with this roundtable.

Getting Up To Speed

Led by Rachel Hunter and/or Task Force Members

These updates are designed for early childhood educators new to the work to advance as a profession. This professional development will bring you up to speed on this project. Learn:

Join us: say "I'm In!"
for the ECE Profession

Join more than 600 Vermont early childhood educators. Add your name in support of our vision.

In order to make the case for public investment, we need to show policymakers and legislators who we are, what we will be accountable for, and that we stand together behind our vision.

What Can I Do Next?

Subscribe, share the Unifying Framework with your teaching community, and attend the next Roundtable Update.

The Early Childhood Education Profession