The document outlines guidelines for an early childhood education basic program, including: 1. A curriculum writing team composed of secondary school, post-secondary, and industry representatives developed the new early childhood education curriculum. 2. The pathway must be deemed high-wage, high-demand, or high-skill to receive industry validation. 3. Schools must have an instructor for both the early childhood education high school classroom and the pre-k classroom. Many schools also have on-site lottery funded pre-k programs.

1. Early Childhood Education Basic Program Guidelines Laura Ergle CTAE Program Specialist [email_address]

2. Curriculum Writing Team Team of six individuals from secondary schools, post-secondary schools and industry wrote the new ECE curriculum.

3. Industry Validation Pathway must be deemed: High Wage and/or High Demand and/or High Skill

4. General Information Each classroom must have an instructor – both the ECE high school classroom and the pre-k classroom. Many schools have a lottery funded pre-k program on site for lab experiences. Bright From the Start funds the pre-k teacher and often a parapro too. Bright From the Start can advise if your school could add a lottery funded program – it is based on need for your community.

5. General Information – con’t This program is different from the very old “Occupational Childcare Program” where students worked in the lab daily – and the classroom and lab were one in the same. The program must cover the GPS to ensure students are successful on end of pathway assessment.

6. General Information – con’t Schools may utilize an on-site or off-site lab for student experiences. Schools may receive industry certification whether they have an on-site or off-site lab. Industry certification grants are half for those schools without an on-site lab.

7. Equipment Lists Programs with off site labs must have a minimum of the following equipment: Computers, 12 (latest technology) - classroom Teacher Computer and Work Station, Printer - classroom, latest technology (prints, scans, and faxs, and develops and prints pictures Computer, Die-cut Machine and assorted dies:, upper/lower case alphabet, numbers, assorted shapes and sizes. Digital Camera & VHS & DVD Player LCD Projector - classroom & Projector Screen Paper Cutter – 24” & Paper Rola-rack and cutter Smart Board - Classroom Laminating Machine

8. Textbooks Goodheart Wilcox: www.g-w.com Working with Young Children Child Development: Early Stages Glencoe McGraw Hill: www.glencoe.com The Developing Child

9. Textbooks – con’t. Cengage Delmar Learning: Safety, Nutrition, and Health in Early Childhood Understanding Child Development Prentice Hall: Teaching Young Children Al About Child Care and Early Education Introduction to ECE Health, Safety & Nutrition for the Child

10. GECEF Georgia Early Childhood Education Foundation, GECEF, has been established to assist programs with industry certification, professional development and student activities and competitions.

11. Additional Questions Please contact Laura Ergle [email_address]