The critical foundation for children’s growth and learning is built early, and well-qualified early childhood teachers are an important building block in high quality early care and education programs serving children from children birth to five years. Certified teachers certified and trained assistants who have background in early childhood education and classroom assistants have the skills to facilitate children’s learning and to support families in their important role as the child’s first teacher.

New Jersey has established stringent guidelines for teachers working in state-funded preschool programs, requiring a certified teacher with a bachelor’s degree and early childhood education training in every classroom. Click here to review those standards. http://www.nj.gov/njded/ece/abbott/guidelines/ 

There are thousands more teachers and caregivers in NJ who work with our youngest children in community programs. These programs are not required to adhere to the same strict standards. The credentials of teachers in these programs often do not meet the high standards that we would like to see for all New Jersey’s children. These teachers often earn less than poverty level wages and cannot pay for a college education. Click here for a report on the status of the workforce in New Jersey’s infant-toddler child care programs. http://www.njpdc.org/1/news_position.htm

To learn more about the goals of BUILD New Jersey as it relates to teacher preparation, click on BUILD POLICY FOCUS. For current research, relevant links and additional information regarding infants and toddlers, click on Learn More. For information on scholarships and other supports for early childhood teachers, click here. link to www.njpdc.org.