EARLY LEARNING EDUCATOR SOLUTIONS

Brief Program Summary: As a provider of early learning and care, Early Learning Indiana understands the essential role program leaders, teachers and classroom support professionals play in delivering child outcomes. However, traditional early education preparation models are time-consuming and costly, leaving many committed professionals without practical solutions to advance their careers and increase classroom impact. Early Learning Educator Solutions programs, supported by Richard M. Fairbanks Foundation, Lilly Endowment Inc. and United Way of Central Indiana, offer a competency-based, streamlined learning experience that empowers professionals to build their effectiveness in real-time, while decreasing the time to completion. Participants are able to advance their careers while still earning a salary. Participants begin with a program pre-assessment that measures their existing competency in program topics, and are eligible to test out of sections and receive a rebate for those areas of competency. Each Early Learning Educator Solutions program follows the “Explore – Practice – Apply” model, seamlessly integrating instructional content with in-person, real-world application. Participants explore and practice new topics in the online environment and immediately apply their learning in the classroom. With the help of professional coaches and early learning leaders, participants receive support every step of the way. At this time, Early Learning Indiana has just wrapped up a beta test of its Classroom Support Professional (CSP) credentialing program with team members from its Day Early Learning centers. This test group has provided valuable feedback to inform the full program that will be offered to other providers in the next year. ELI is simultaneously in talks with higher education institutions to partner on a similar degree program for classroom teachers.