Press Room

Four Steps to Early Childhood Centre Administrator (ECCA) Certification
by Elaine Ferguson

Early Childhood Centre Administrator (ECCA) Certification, overseen by the Certification Council of Early Childhood Educators of Nova Scotia (CCECENS), is a four-step process. Candidates reflect on their own and their peer's growth and development, practice and the contextual factors in which they practice. This expectation for reflection is fundamental to the certification process and is the catalyst that makes the process dynamic, useful and enriching. The process was designed and piloted with CCECENS, Child Care Connections-Nova Scotia and funding partner, the Child Care Visions Program of Social Development Partnerships of Human Resources Development Canada.

Step 1: The Application process begins with training in the ECCA certification process and in professional portfolio development. The applicant proceeds with developing a portfolio, submits it to the CCECENS providing a comprehensive overview of the skills, knowledge and attitudes of the applicant. The CCECENS interviews the applicant and makes a decision to accept or reject the applicant.

Step 2: Examination includes two phases of evaluation of the candidate through her/his presentations of five case study responses (Phase A) and five case studies s/he has written (Phase B). In each of the phases, the candidate, five peers and a validator evaluate the candidate's competency in addressing the case studies. They receive training in communication for evaluation to provide them with the skills needed to be effective in their evaluations.

Training in case study response introduces candidates to the case study process. Case studies are assigned to the candidate based on the competencies identified as essential for an early childhood centre administrator. Candidates prepare a response and present it to a group of five peers and a validator. Throughout this phase, the candidate's facilitator mentors the candidate through the process, dialoguing back and forth on journal entries that have been assigned to the candidate. Phase B includes training in writing case studies and the application of ethics.

Step 3: Validation is an assessment of the candidate's competency using the work environment survey to assess staff perceptions; a parent's feedback survey and an evaluation of the program using one or more program evaluation tools: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale; Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale; School-Age Environment Rating Scale.

Step 4: Recommendation involves a validator bringing together all the work done by the candidate, developing recommendations and a report submitted to the CCECENS. A candidate review committee of validators, facilitators and the CCECENS executive considers all the information and makes a decision regarding the candidate's certification status.

Developing ECCA certification provides the child care sector with one more tool to enhance professional recognition in child care. Through the process, early childhood centre administrators will be recognized for the complexity of the work they perform and will present themselves as accountable and responsible for their practice.

Elaine Ferguson is the executive director of Child Care Connections NS and is a director on the CCCF board. For more information on the ECCA process, contact the CCECENS c/o 1200 Tower Road, Suite 100, Halifax, NS, B3H 4K6. Phone (902) 423-8199 or 1 800 565-8199 toll free in Atlantic Canada; fax (902) 492-8106; email cccns@istar.ca. © CCCF 2001