How Can New York Educators Strategically Plan Their 30 Hours of Training - post

For New York’s #early-childhood- #educators, the requirement to complete 30 hours of training every two years can feel like either a compliance task or a powerful opportunity for growth. How do you ensure it's the latter? The key is strategic planning. Instead of randomly accumulating hours, a thoughtful approach allows you to tailor your professional development to your specific career goals, the unique needs of your #classroom, and the requirements set by the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS).

How Can You Align Your Training with Your Career Goals?

Should your training choices reflect where you want to go professionally? Yes. If your goal is to become a center director, prioritize courses in administration, personnel management, and budgeting. If you are passionate about infant and toddler care, seek out specialized training in that area. If you are pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, select courses that align with the eight CDA Subject Areas. By choosing training with a specific goal in mind, you create a cohesive professional development record that tells a clear story about your expertise and ambitions.

How Can You Use Classroom Observations to Guide Your Choices?

Can the children in your class tell you what training you need? In a way, yes. Observe the challenges and opportunities within your own classroom. Are you seeing more behavioral issues? A course in positive guidance or trauma-informed care would be beneficial. Do you have a growing number of children who are English language learners? Seek out training in supporting dual #language-development. Letting the specific needs of your children guide your professional development choices makes the training immediately relevant and impactful.

What Is the Best Way to Track Your Hours and Topics?

How can you stay organized to ensure you meet OCFS requirements? OCFS mandates that your 30 hours cover nine distinct topic areas. It is crucial to keep meticulous records. Create a simple spreadsheet or use a dedicated professional development binder to track each training you complete. Note the date, the provider (such as ChildCareEd or ECETP), the number of hours, and which of the nine OCFS topic areas it covered. This organized approach prevents a last-minute scramble and ensures you have a balanced and compliant training portfolio when it comes time for license renewal.

Why Should You Mix and Match Training Formats?

Is it better to stick with one type of training? Not necessarily. A blended approach can keep your learning experience fresh and engaging. Fulfill some hours with flexible, on-demand e-learning courses that you can fit into your busy schedule. Attend a live webinar or an in-person workshop to network with peers and engage in real-time discussion. This variety not only exposes you to different teaching styles but also helps you build a professional network, enriching your overall learning experience and making those 30 hours more meaningful.

The key is strategic planning. Instead of randomly accumulating hours, a thoughtful approach allows you to tailor your professional development to your specific career goals.

References:

• www.childcareed.com/a/new-york-early-childhood-education-training-requirements.html

• ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/training/

• www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/