Take time to reflect on the skills, dispositions, and knowledge that make you a professional. Review each of the key competency areas below with your trainer, coach, or administrator to deepen your understanding of these standards. You may feel quite competent in many of these areas, or they may be new to you. Think about these competencies as you engage with the children in your care and their families.

Professional Conduct, Ethics, & Behavior

• Demonstrate integrity, respect, confidentiality, and commitment to high professional standards.
• Show a commitment to working within regulations, practices, code of ethical conduct, and standards of the profession.
• Maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of others.
• Demonstrate knowledge of regulations with respect to eligibility for services, confidentiality, ratio, reporting of child abuse, and others.
• Arrive at work on time each day and be prepared to engage with children, families, and colleagues in a professional manner.
• Maintain a professional, mutually supportive attitude, and positive disposition with children, families, and colleagues.
• Use verbal and written communication effectively.
• Establish professional relationships and maintain professional boundaries with children, families, and colleagues.

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Work effectively with others through clear communication, shared goals, and problem solving.
• Demonstrate skills related to communication, conflict resolution, setting professional boundaries, and ensuring personal safety.
• Collaborate with community partners and professionals.
• Advocate for children, families, and colleagues.
• Work collaboratively as a member of a team by practicing clear communication, facilitation skills, and openness to information.

Professional Development & Learning

• Continuously build knowledge, reflect on practice, and make informed changes to improve outcomes.
• Engage in self-reflection about your own practice and shared reflective dialogue.
• Maintain a professional development plan and seek opportunities for continued learning.
• Serve as a role model and mentor to children, families, and colleagues.
• Ask questions, pursue learning opportunities, and try out new ideas and evidence-based practices.
• Keep up to date on research in the field and relevant technology.
• Use practices that are developmentally appropriate and research-based to support development and learning across all domains.

Advocacy & Leadership

• Support children, families, and colleagues by taking initiative and promoting positive change in the field.
• Demonstrate knowledge of available community, state, and national resources.
• Inform others about the value of services and programs for children and families.

Data-Informed Decision Making

• Use observation tools, assessments, and technology to inform decisions and improve teaching practices.
• Identify, gather, analyze, and evaluate information and data to strengthen the quality and effectiveness of your work.
• Evaluate outcomes and assess effectiveness of programs and curricula for all participants.

Sources

Administration for Children & Families, Child Care Technical Assistance Network. (n.d.). Building and Strengthening Skills and Competencies for Infant/Toddler Care. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

California Department of Education. (n.d.). California Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Competencies, competency area: Child development and learning.

National Association for the Education of Young Children. (2020). Professional standards and competencies for early childhood educators: Side-by-side comparison document.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families. (2020). Wisconsin Core Competencies for Professionals Working with Young Children & Their Families (Professionalism section, p. 15).