NEW! You may now apply online to the Practitioner Registry- Click here to view or start your application. You will be able to set up your account with the Early Childhood Project.  We will receive an email with logon information shortly after sign up.
Share the Vision....

Gain the recognition you deserve for your experience, education, and training in early care and education through your work with young children and families. You are invited to apply to The Practitioner Registry today!

Your active status on The Practitioner Registry allows you to apply for Montana's Best Beginnings grants, scholarships and stipends developed to help you help every child receive quality early care and education.


 

The Career Path

When you Practitioner Registry application is complete, you will be placed at a level on the NEW! Career Path. The Career Path is intended to promote professional development for early care and education practitioners by providing a framework for recording and recognizing experience, training, and educational accomplishments.

The Career Path covers ten levels of career development based on training, education and experience in the field. Any individual developing a plan for professional growth in early care and education can chart a course on the Career Path.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the purpose of the Montana Early Care and Education Practitioner Registry and the Career Path?

• Who may apply to the Practitioner Registry?

• Why should I apply?

• How do I remain active once I'm on The Practitioner Registry?

• What twenty credits are accepted as early childhood/child development for levels 4 and above on the Practitioner Registry?

• How do I know if my credits/degrees are from accredited institutions?

• What can I do if I do not agree with my Career Path level?

What is the purpose of the Montana Early Care and Education Practitioner Registry and the Career Path?

Statewide registries are developed to increases the number of high quality early care and education programs by helping to develop and track a knowledgeable and skilled early childhood workforce. Another goal of registries is to raise the status of and compensation for early care and education as a viable and critical profession in our society.

Registries also helps families, employers, and others understand the framework for early childhood professional development.  In Montana this system of professional development is based on the Knowledge Base

Who may apply to the Practitioner Registry?

Early childhood practitioners are encouraged to apply for the Practitioner Registry. This includes caregivers, teachers, educators, administrators, and other advocates for young children. The Registry is designed for anyone who works with children birth to age eight (providing direct or indirect service) in a variety of settings:

• Family and group child care homes
• Child care centers
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs
• Preschools
• Public and private schools--pre-kindergarten-3rd grade
• Higher education, including community and tribal colleges and universities
• Child Care Resource and Referral agencies
• Community agencies serving children and families
• Private organizations and government agencies who impact early care and education at local, state, and regional levels

• Count yourself as a professional in early childhood services in Montana
• Inform parents about your level of professional development as you make decisions about your fees for early care and education services
• Apply for new employment positions in early childhood programs or negotiate for a salary increase with your employer
• Validate and document the learning and training experiences in which you have participated
• Plan your future education and career goals
• Be eligible for the Best Beginnings programs administered by the state Early Childhood Services Bureau

How do I remain active once I'm on The Practitioner Registry?

You will remain active on The Registry for one year from the date on your certificate. Each year, the ECP will mail you a renewal packet two months prior to your renewal date. 
 

What twenty credits are accepted as early childhood/child development for Levels 4 and above on the Practitioner Registry?

For levels 4-8, early childhood/child development college credits or degrees are required. To count for the Practitioner Registry, all credits and degrees must be from regionally accredited colleges and universities.

The ECP reviews transcripts to ensure that college credits fall within six of the areas below:

• Child Growth and Development
• Environmental Design
• Cultural and Developmental Diversity
• Family and Community Partnerships
• Curriculum
• Child Guidance
• Observation and Assessment
• Program Management
• Professionalism

How do I know if my credits/degrees are from accredited institutions?

In order to count towards a level on the Career Path, college credits and degrees must be from a regionally accredited colleges or universities. The US Department of Education manages a database for institutional accreditation, which can be found at www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation.

For more information on higher education accreditation, please contact the Early Childhood Project or check out our Info Sheet.

What can I do if I do not agree with my Career Path level?

You may appeal to the Practitioner Registry Review Committee if you feel the level that you were placed at is incorrect   If you wish to appeal, you must provide the committee with the following items:

• A cover letter describing why you wish to appeal
• Additional documentation about your course content, projects, independent study credits, and other items you feel will help your case
• Evidence of informal (non-credit) training hours that you have completed in Knowledge Base content areas and the areas identified for the 20 credit requirement listed above.

Updated 9/9/2009