What are early childhood systems and policies? During the first week of learning in my current course, Dynamics of Early Childhood Policies and Systems, I have already learned of three different systems in early childhood: Early Care and Education Systems, Early Learning Systems, and Early Childhood Systems, (Kagan & Kauerz, 2012). As an early childhood educator, I am aware there are public policies that effect early childhood as well as entire families. I am also aware that policies occur at the local level, state level, and at the federal level.
While I am aware there are different policies at different levels, I am not familiar with all of the policies and the different systems they affect. For example, I am not familiar with how funding works for early childhood. I am not familiar with how federal, state, and local funding works in both early childhood care settings, as well as elementary settings. Another area I am unfamiliar is that of determining high quality early childhood care. I am curious as to what policies are in place to define high quality care, and what actions are taken when care is not considered high quality.
After reflecting on what I already know about early childhood systems and policies, I realize I do not know much about the political aspect of early childhood. Therefore I have created three goals for this course that will help me become more effective in my professional role as an advocate for early childhood education.
The first goal is to become more familiar with policies for all early childhood systems, not just the early learning system. I would like to be knowledgeable about policies that affect children and their families from birth through age 8 so that I can better understand what programs are available to children and families. As an elementary school teacher, I am an advocate for children and families. As I become more aware of policies, I can better help families and children reach their full potential.
In addition to learning public policy, I would also like to learn more about funding for early childhood systems. Through knowledge of funding, I will be able to help influence public policy to better allocate funding to help ensure effective early childhood systems. As a professional in the field, public policy and funding can have significant impacts on early childhood education, which could help children and families in obtaining physical and mental health, as well as success in education.
A final goal I have for this course is to affect positive social change through my learning of policies and systems. It is difficult to implement change when you do not fully understand all aspects of the system. There are many individuals and agencies that impact early childhood education. Politics and districts also play vital roles in early childhood education. It is my goal to develop a better understanding of how policies and different people and agencies work together to affect early childhood systems. When I have a better understanding, I will be more apt to influence social change, as I will be able to address policy from different angles. As a passionate advocate for children and families, I know the information learned in this course and these goals will help me better serve the systems in which I work.
Kagan, S. L., & Kauerz, K. (Eds.). (2012). Early childhood systems: Transforming early learning. New York, NY: Teachers College Press.