Established in 2010, New York Works for Children (NYWC) is New York State’s integrated professional development system for early education professionals. NYWC offers both training (offered in multiple languages and formats) and coaching to teachers, teaching teams, directors, administrators, family care workers, and assistant teachers and aides. Coaches can work with a participant for a year or more, and each one-on-one coaching session lasts for a minimum of 30 minutes. Early education professionals can receive training/professional development credit for participating in coaching. NYWC also coordinates the Aspire Registry, which is a professional registry designed to help early educators find and track their progress through high-quality professional development. NYWC is funded by multiple city and state agencies; it was founded by the Early Childhood Advisory Council’s Workforce Development Workgroup in 2010. Today, the New York Early Childhood Professional Development Institute, a public-private partnership, leads NYWC and manages the day-to-day operations.
Source:
New York Works for Children. (n.d.).
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning,Professional learning: Learning and support activities (e.g., coaching) that help develop educators’ competencies and skills. compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.