Accepting Nominations for the Next Outstanding Early Childhood Professional
The application to nominate the next Arkansas Outstanding Early Childhood Professional is open! This award honors a professional who has made significant contributions to the early care and education field.
To qualify, nominees must:
- Meet minimum licensing requirements for child care staff
- Be employed by a licensed provider in good standing
- Have taught an early childhood classroom for at least three years
- Plan to remain in early childhood for the 2022-2023 fiscal year
- Be willing and able to serve as an early childhood ambassador
The nomination packet is available on the Better Beginnings website. The deadline to nominate someone is January 21, 2022.
Arkansas Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential
This credential creates an additional professional pathway for individuals seeking a more advanced level of knowledge and skills in working with young children and their families.
- Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential Act 187 of 2009
- Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential Application
- Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential Renewal Application
- Course Descriptions
Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months
Educational guidelines and benchmarks for infants and toddlers that provide common expectations for what children typically know, understand, and can do. The standards are research-based; culturally and linguistically appropriate; comprehensive; and are written with the understanding that children reach developmental milestones at different times. The standards are to be used to assist in developing age-appropriate learning goals for children, to support developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment, and to outline a progression of development and learning that supports success in school and in life.
Arkansas Children’s Week
An annual event that helps to develop and promote child-friendly activities. Arkansas Children’s Week was held in April with theme “Everyday Explorers.” Although the event is over, you can still use the following resources to plan an event.
ACW 2021 Book ACW 2021 Planning Toolkit
Arkansas Professional Development Registry
Through the Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR), individuals can register for professional development opportunities and obtain resources to enhance their knowledge and skills.
- PDR Frequently Asked Questions
- PDR Brochure
- New Member Video Tutorials
Early Head Start Child Care Partnership
The Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DDCECE) was awarded an Early Head Start- Child Care Partnership Grant.
Infant and Toddler Certificate
The Infant Toddler Certificate provides a route to higher education for the preparation of all infant and toddler teachers. Upon completion, one can expect to build their professional competencies in supporting a child’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, and literacy development.
