FCC Specialization

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to
build capacity within QM sites through equitable means while empowering our
educators to become life long learners in the field of early care and education.

These areas and activities are inspired by the CA Master Plan's 4 goals,
the CA-QRIS Matrix, NAEYC's Professional Guidelines for All Early Childhood
Educators, & the Commission on Teacher Credentialing Child Development Permit

Professional Growth Manual.

FAMILY ENGAGEMENT ALL IN FOR EQUITY
Build awareness of the importance of family engagement Anti-Racist & Anti-bias teaching. Building an equitable
classroom culture for all that positively impacts the children
to increase quality of child's care and development
and educators

INFANT/TODDLER CRADLE 2 CAREER
Building a foundation to support child development,
CARE & LEARNING
Supporting educators' professional growth in understanding school readiness & positive child outcomes

the importance of their role during early years.

INCLUSIVE CLASSROOM ENVIRONMENT
THE 3rd TEACHER
Create inclusive early childhood contexts to provide Build awareness of the importance of intentionality & the
children and families with the opportunity to develop environment to increase quality learning

understandings of difference and diversity DUAL LANGUAGE LEARNER
& EARLY LITERACY
THE POWER OF
OBSERVATION Language is at the core of our identity: it’s how we relate to
Supporting early childhood educators to recognize the our past, our family, our culture and our upbringing.
connection between observation and intentional teaching.

As a recognition incentive program for quality improvement (QI) sites who may prefer not to be rated, may be
recognized with a specialized badge. The goal of the recognition incentive program is for the FCC educators to be

validated for their education and professional development journey.

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

FAMILY

ENGAGEMENT

Build awareness of the importance of family engagement to increase quality of child's care and development. Your relationships
with families matter. When you engage with families, you join with them to support their child’s development and learning.

Enroll or show proof of enrollment in a Family Engagement related ECE course

45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Complete CECO's Quality Counts California Family Engagement Toolkit

15 hours

• The toolkit consists of five modules to continue your professional development on family engagement.
Complete each module.

Module 1: The What, Why, and How of Family Engagement
Module 2: Build Strengths-based Relationships
Module 3: Respect the Family’s Role in the Child’s Development
Module 4: Show Cultural Respect
Module 5: Take a Shared Approach to Family Engagement

• After watching write a 4 to 5 sentence reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work.
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry ( www.caregistry.org )

Attend a minimum of 1 Quality Matters sponsored family engagement training:

Abriendo Puertas, Language is a Gift, and/or Strengthening Families 8 hours

• Implement quarterly get togethers with families using tools learned in Quality Matters sponsored training

• Meet with QM Family Engagement trainer & mentors for technical assistance during implementation phase
and attend following support network

Share Ready4K with enrolled families as resource to support engagement at home

• Ready4k is a free, research-based text-messaging service for parents/guardians .
Each week, parents/ guardians will receive three texts with fun facts and easy tips to boost their child's
learning. Learn more about Ready4K on QM's Family Resource page

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting 1 hour

•Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting children
through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity within QM
sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college coursework, but must equate

to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

ALL IN FOR EQUITY

Anti-racist & Anti-bias teaching

Schools, in collaboration with families, have an important role to play in fostering young children’s positive racial identities.
Building an equitable classroom culture for all that positively impacts the children and educators is our goal.

When children are armed with this knowledge and these skills, they can begin to disrupt these systems and work toward
building a more equitable society for all of us.

Enroll or provide proof of enrollment in ECE college course focused on diversity or

anti bias teaching Hartnell's ECE 53 or MPC's ECED 56 Teaching in a Diverse Society 45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Attend Quality Matters Social Justice Teaching web series 6 hours

• Social Justice Teaching. A web series for early childhood educators

View the film, Reflecting on Anti-bias Education in Action: The Early Years

1 hour

• After watching write a 4 to 5 sentence reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work.

Participate in regional anti-racist & anti-bias training hours TBD

• information and logistics for Region 4 professional growth opportunity TBA

Implement anti bias/social justice teaching inside your classroom

• Quality Matters will support you in implementing what you have learned through technical assistance, curriculum
planning, reflection, and resources.

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting 1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting children
through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity within QM
sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college coursework, but must equate to

similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Professional
Family Child Care Specialization

CRADLE 2 CAREER

Young children are natural researchers with a love of learning and a sense of wonder. How do we encourage the development of
children's critical thinking skills and their social emotional learning throughout their lives? Cradle 2 Career supports educator s
to understand how to build a foundation to support school readiness & child outcomes based on California preschool standards

Enroll or provide proof of enrollment in ECE college course focused on

curriculum Hartnell's ECE 4 or MPC's ECED 80 Introduction to Curriculum 45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Attend CPIN webinar series on Preschool Foundations & Framework

6 hours

• Review PLF&F materials to support program curriculum

Complete the CECO modules

Integrated Nature of Learning 8 hours
DRDP (2015) module 10 hours

• After watching write a 4 to 5 sentence reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work.
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry
• Meet with ECE Specialist to discuss connection between DRDPs to PLF&F

Implement Preschool Learning Foundations & Framework in classroom

• Quality Matters will support you in implementing what you have learned through technical assistance,
curriculum planning, reflection, and resources.

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting 1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting children
through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity
within QM sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college coursework,

but must equate to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

ENVIRONMENT

THE 3rd TEACHER

Build awareness of the importance of intentionality & the environment to increase quality learning.
Children thrive in environments that are suited to their interests and developmental stages. Consciously planning activities
and learning experiences with a deliberate and specific objective in mind will help you meet children's needs and will help

them learn and grow.

Enroll or provide proof of enrollment in ECE college course focused on play

‐ECE 11 Cognitive Activities & Materials or ECE-9 Creative Expressions & Play in Early Childhood

45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Attend QM sponsored Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale (FCCERS)

webinar series 8 hours

• Family Child Care Environment rating Scale web trainings

Attend QM sponsored Intentional Teaching with Loose Parts web series

6 hours

• 3 part series focusing on how to observe children's play and support their learning through provocation,
invitation & inspiration.

Allow FCCERS observation at site as a tool for personal growth. 2 hours

• Participate in a reflective supervision/consultations with ERS Assessor
• Assessor will share results and help create action plan (not affiliated with a rating)

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting

1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting
children through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity within QM
sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college coursework, but must equate

to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

INCLUSION

Create inclusive early childhood contexts to provide children and families with the opportunity to develop
understandings of differences and diversity

Enroll or provide proof of enrollment in ECE college course focused on Inclusion

‐ ‐ECE 26 Children with Special Needs or ECE 27 Principles & Practices in Guiding Children’s Behavior

45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Attend QM sponsored inclusion web series 6 hours

• 8/28/21 Universal Design learning in Early Learning
• 10/25/21 Special Kids Connect Resource Webinar

Complete the CECO Inclusion Works! modules 4 hours

• After watching write 4 to 5 sentence reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry
• Meet with ECE Specialist to discuss connection between DRDPs to PLF&F

Participate in consultation/reflective practice with ECE specialist

2 hours

Implement inclusive practices within classroom

• Quality Matters will support you in implementing what you have learned through technical assistance,
curriculum planning, reflection, and resources.

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting

1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting
children through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity within QM
sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college coursework, but must equate

to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing.

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

POWER OF OBSERVATION

Supporting early childhood educators to recognize the connection between observation and intentional teaching
through the use of various assessment tools

Enroll or provide proof of enrollment in ECE college course 45 hours

‐focused on observation ECE 10 Observation and Assessment

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Complete the CECO DRDP (2015) modules

10 hours

• After watching write a quick reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry
• Meet with ECE Specialist to discuss connection between DRDPs & CLASS

Attend QM sponsored MMCI or CLASS trainings and ASQ series 26 hours

• Quality Matters Ages and Stages Questionnaire series
• Making the Most of Classroom Interactions (MMCI)

Allow CLASS observation at site. Observer will share notes and support in

developing action plan (not affiliated with a rating) 1 hour

• Participate in a reflective supervision/consultations with CLASS Assessor
• Assessor will share results and help create action plan (not affiliated with a rating)

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting

1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of
supporting children through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the Unifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity
within QM sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college
coursework, but must equate to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

MULTILINGUAL LEARNER &

EARLY LITERACY

Language is at the core of our identity: it’s how we relate to our past, our family, our culture and our upbringing.
Meaningful relationships between programs and families enhance children’s learning. Through these relationships teachers

learn about home language use and families’ aspirations for their children.

‐Enroll or proof of enrollment in ECE 54 Language and Early Literacy Curriculum

45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page

Attend DLL training, Language is a Gift series & POLL trainings & utilize 6 hours
strategies in program

Complete CECO's Dual Language Learner modules & Quality Counts California

Family Engagement Toolkit 20 hours

• After watching write a 4 to 5 sentence reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry
• Meet with ECE Specialist to discuss connection between modules & your work

Implement family engagement piece to promote early literacy in your program

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting

1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of supporting
children through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of the UUnifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity
within QM sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college
coursework, but must equate to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing

Unifying Areas of Specialization
in Early Childhood Education

INFANT & TODDLER

During the first three years of life, emotionally nourishing relationships with adults support emotional and cognitive development
in infants and toddlers. By supporting educators' professional growth in understanding the importance of their role when caring for

infants and toddlers, we are supporting the development of all children.

Enroll or proof of enrollment in ECE infant toddler course or attend PITC

training 45 hours

• MPC's ECE Course Description page
• Hartnell's ECE Course Description page
• Cabrillo College's ECE Course Description page
• PITC

Complete the CECO DRDP (2015) Infant & Toddler modules

10 hours

• After watching write a quick reflection on what you learned and how it relates to your work
• Upload module certificate of completion to ECE Workforce Registry
• Meet with ECE Specialist to discuss connection between DRDPs & CLASS

Complete CECO's Infant & Toddler CPIN webinar series on Preschool

Foundations & Framework

5 hours

• Review PLF&F materials to support program curriculum

Allow FCCERS observation at site as a tool for personal growth.

1 hour

• Participate in a reflective supervision/consultations with ERS Assessor
• Assessor will share results and help create action plan (not affiliated with a rating)

Showcase your experience and growth at a network meeting

1 hour

• Sharing your learning with colleagues helps build connections and improve our work of
supporting children through collaboration, inspiration, and collective impact.

The purpose of theUnifying Areas of Specialization in Early Childhood Education is to build capacity
within QM sites through equitable possibilities. Alternative activities are possible for college
coursework, but must equate to similar hours and be approved by QRIS prior to completing