Continuing Education Policy: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 21:11, 1 December 2025

Staff Education and Career Development Policy

Brookline Sprouts is committed to supporting the continued education and professional growth of all staff. We believe that investing in staff development directly impacts the quality of care and education we provide to children and families.

1. Commitment to Education and the PA Keys Career Pathway

Brookline Sprouts uses the Pennsylvania Keys Career Pathway as the framework for staff development. All staff are encouraged to set individualized education goals that align with the Career Pathway and their role within our program. All staff are required to obtain at least 20 continuing education credits per year.

2. Career Planning and PDO Partnership

We partner with the Southwest Regional Professional Development Organization (PDO) to help staff:

Develop personalized career plans that include credit-bearing coursework in Early Childhood Education (ECE).
Access tuition assistance through programs such as TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania and CDA Voucher Programs.
Identify appropriate college pathways, including participation in the Carlow University Apprenticeship Program or similar partnerships.

3. Professional Development Access and Scheduling

Directors collaborate annually with staff to determine professional development needs based on performance reviews, Keystone STARS standards, and each individual’s career goals.
On-site or virtual professional development sessions are scheduled to align with these training needs and staff availability.
Staff are provided access to CCEI (ChildCare Education Institute) courses for CEUs, which may be completed at their own pace for additional learning and professional growth. All staff have unlimited, on-demand access to CCEI’s full library of professional development courses. Team members are encouraged to take as many trainings as they’d like, whenever it fits their schedule, to support continuous learning and advancement.

4. Advanced Certifications and Leadership Growth

Staff pursuing advanced credentials are encouraged and supported through:

The Pennsylvania Director’s Credential Program or other approved leadership training.

5. Ongoing Monitoring and Support

Directors track staff progress toward educational goals annually, provide coaching to staff to assist them in their educational pathways, celebrate achievements such as CDA completion or degree attainment, and update pay rates in alignment with the current pay scale.

Additional Information about Education Benefits can be found here: Education Reimbursement Policy

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 === '''Staff Education and Career Development Policy''' ===
-Tree of Life Sprouts is committed to supporting the continued education and professional growth of all staff. We believe that investing in staff development directly impacts the quality of care and education we provide to children and families.
+Brookline Sprouts is committed to supporting the continued education and professional growth of all staff. We believe that investing in staff development directly impacts the quality of care and education we provide to children and families.
 '''1. Commitment to Education and the PA Keys Career Pathway'''
-Tree of Life Sprouts uses the '''Pennsylvania Keys Career Pathway''' as the framework for staff development. All staff are encouraged to set individualized education goals that align with the Career Pathway and their role within our program.
+Brookline Sprouts uses the '''Pennsylvania Keys Career Pathway''' as the framework for staff development. All staff are encouraged to set individualized education goals that align with the Career Pathway and their role within our program. All staff are required to obtain at least 20 continuing education credits per year.
 '''2. Career Planning and PDO Partnership'''
@@ Line 19: / Line 19: @@
 * Directors collaborate annually with staff to '''determine professional development needs''' based on performance reviews, Keystone STARS standards, and each individual’s career goals.
 * '''On-site or virtual professional development sessions''' are scheduled to align with these training needs and staff availability.
-* Staff are provided access to '''CCEI (ChildCare Education Institute)''' courses for CEUs, which may be completed at their own pace for additional learning and professional growth.
+* Staff are provided access to '''CCEI (ChildCare Education Institute)''' courses for CEUs, which may be completed at their own pace for additional learning and professional growth. All staff have '''unlimited, on-demand access''' to CCEI’s full library of professional development courses. Team members are encouraged to take '''as many trainings as they’d like, whenever it fits their schedule''', to support continuous learning and advancement.
 '''4. Advanced Certifications and Leadership Growth'''
@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 * The '''Pennsylvania Director’s Credential Program''' or other approved leadership training.
-* Paid release time for coursework, mentoring, or observation related to credential completion when possible.
 '''5. Ongoing Monitoring and Support'''
-Directors track staff progress toward educational goals annually, celebrate achievements such as CDA completion or degree attainment, and update pay rates in alignment with the PA Keys Career Pathway.
+Directors track staff progress toward educational goals annually, provide coaching to staff to assist them in their educational pathways, celebrate achievements such as CDA completion or degree attainment, and update pay rates in alignment with the current pay scale.
+Additional Information about Education Benefits can be found here: [[Education Reimbursement Policy]]