Class Description and Minimum Qualifications for H7C - Early Childhood Educator

Class Description

Valid as of: July 1, 2024

This class series uses three levels in the Professional Services Occupational Group and describes support and teaching work in a childcare setting for young children. Positions use educational and child care concepts in providing care for children in a child care center. Positions conduct individual and group activities with children in a variety of educational and recreational settings. Positions also perform a variety of support services in such areas as food delivery, safety and sanitation maintenance, and individual observation of children. Positions provide advice to supervisors on educational, recreational, and childcare center practices and procedures.

CHILD CARE AIDE H7C1XX

Concept of Class

This class describes the aide in a childcare setting. Duties include, but are not limited to, implementing assigned individual or group activities with children in arts and crafts, music and dance, reading and storytelling, playground and recreation, field trips, and related activities; serving meals and snacks; maintaining the child care center's safety and sanitation standards; reporting signs of a child's illness or unusual behavior to a teacher or supervisor; assisting children with a variety of tasks as directed; and, suggesting alternatives to routine activities to the teacher or supervisor.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the defined level, as described here. Within limits prescribed by the childcare operation, choices involve selecting alternatives that affect the manner and speed with which childcare tasks are carried out. These choices do not affect the standards or results of the child care operation itself because there is typically only one correct way to carry out the operation. For example, a position decides which playground activity to conduct with children during the assigned recreation time. These alternatives include independent choice of such things as priority and personal preference for organizing and processing the work, proper toys or equipment, speed, and appropriate steps in the operation to apply. By nature, the data needed to make decisions can be numerous but are clear and understandable so logic is needed to apply the prescribed alternative. As an example, individual children differ but the response to a child with a behavior problem is routine. Positions can be taught what to do to carry out assignments and any deviation in the manner in which the work is performed does not change the end result of the childcare operation.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is prescribed, as described here. Positions apply established, standard childcare facility guidelines that cover work situations and alternatives. Action taken is based on learned, specific center guidelines that permit little deviation or change as the childcare task is repeated. Any alternatives to choose from are clearly right or wrong at each step. For example, a position's choice of what to do with a child's unruly behavior is clearly set by center procedures and a teacher's instructions.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as an individual contributor. The individual contributor may explain work processes and train others. The individual contributor may serve as a resource or guide by advising others on how to use processes within a system or as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team. This level may include positions performing supervisory elements that do not fully meet the criteria for the next level in this factor.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR I H7C2XX

Concept of Class

This class describes the early childhood educator. Duties include, but are not limited to, writing daily lesson plans for educational and recreational activities for assigned children or classes in accordance with center guidelines and developmentally appropriate techniques. Daily lesson plans may include activities in arts and crafts, music and dance, reading and storytelling, recreation, field trips, and related child care activities appropriate to the children’s ages. Positions interact with supervisors and parents in dealing with the needs of ill children or children with behavioral problems. Positions may also conduct or oversee the serving of meals and snacks, maintaining safety and sanitation standards, and assisting children with a variety of tasks as requested by the child. The Early Childhood Educator I differs from the Child Care Aide on the Decision Making, Complexity, and Purpose of Contact factors.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the operational level, as described here. Within limits set by the specific childcare process, teachers' choices involve deciding what daily lesson plan is required to carry out the process. This includes determining how the lesson plan will be implemented. For example, within childcare center guidelines, a position decides specific daily activities for children in all areas deemed appropriate. By nature, data needed to make decisions are numerous and variable so reasoning is needed to develop the practical course of action within the established childcare process. Choices are within a range of specified, acceptable standards, alternatives, and technical practices. For example, a position decides when and how to use appropriate guidance techniques.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is patterned, as described here. Positions study information related to educational practices and the individual child’s needs to determine what it means and how it fits together in order to get practical solutions in the form of daily lesson plans. Guidelines in the form of child care center policies and procedures exist for most situations. For example, a position takes a center guideline requiring reading and storytelling and implements a daily lesson plan for providing children with reading and storytelling activities appropriate to their age group. Judgment is needed in locating and selecting the most appropriate of these guidelines that may change for varying classroom or child’s circumstances as the childcare task is repeated. This selection and interpretation of childcare center guidelines involves choosing from alternatives where all are correct but one is better than another depending on the given circumstances of the situation. As an example, a position observes a child's behavior and selects appropriate guidance techniques from among several acceptable choices set by the center's overall behavioral policy.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as an individual contributor. The individual contributor may explain work processes and train others. The individual contributor may serve as a resource or guide by advising others on how to use processes within a system or as a member of a collaborative problem-solving team. This level may include positions performing supervisory elements that do not fully meet the criteria for the next level in this factor.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR II H7C3XX

Concept of Class

This class describes the work leader. In addition to the duties and responsibilities of an Early Childhood Educator I, positions in this class have work leader responsibilities for childcare aides or other child care educators. Positions at this level develop lesson plans and activities that are carried out by any member of the teaching team. The Early Childhood Educator II differs from the Early Childhood Educator I on the Line/Staff Authority factor only.

Factors

Allocation must be based on meeting all of the three factors as described below.

Decision Making 

The decisions regularly made are at the operational level, as described here. Within limits set by the specific childcare process, teachers' choices involve deciding what daily lesson plan is required to carry out the process. For example, within childcare center guidelines, a position decides specific daily activities for children in all areas deemed appropriate. By nature, data needed to make decisions are numerous and variable so reasoning is needed to develop the practical course of action within the established childcare process. Choices are within a range of specified, acceptable standards, alternatives, and technical practices. For example, a position decides when and how to use appropriate guidance techniques.

Complexity 

The nature of, and need for, analysis and judgment is patterned, as described here. Positions study information related to educational practices and individual children’s needs to determine what it means and how it fits together in order to get practical solutions in the form of daily lesson plans. Guidelines in the form of child care center policies and procedures exist for most situations. For example, a position takes a center guideline requiring reading and storytelling and establishes a daily lesson plan for providing children with reading and storytelling activities appropriate to their age group. Judgment is needed in locating and selecting the most appropriate of these guidelines that may change for varying classroom or children’s circumstances as the childcare task is repeated. This selection and interpretation of childcare center guidelines involves choosing from alternatives where all are correct but one is better than another depending on the given circumstances of the situation. As an example, a position observes a child's behavior and selects appropriate guidance techniques from among several acceptable choices set by the center's overall behavioral policy.

Line/Staff Authority 

The direct field of influence the work of a position has on the organization is as a work leader. The work leader is partially accountable for the work product of two or more full-time equivalent positions, including timeliness, correctness, and soundness. At least one of the subordinate positions must be in the same series or at a comparable conceptual level. Typical elements of direct control over other positions by a work leader include assigning tasks, monitoring progress and workflow, checking the product, scheduling work, and establishing work standards. The work leader provides input into supervisory decisions made at higher levels, including signing leave requests and approving work hours. This level may include positions performing supervisory elements that do not fully meet the criteria for the next level in this factor.

Entrance Requirements

Minimum entry requirements and general competencies for classes in this series are contained in the State of Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration Web site.

For the purposes of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the essential functions of specific positions are identified in the position description questionnaires and job analyses.

History of Changes Made to Class Description

The​ ​following​ ​is​ ​a​ ​summary​ ​of​ ​changes​ ​made​ ​to​ ​this​ ​class description.

July 1, 2018

Effective 7/1/18: Update the Class Code of H7C1TX to H7C1XX per administrative updates. Updated and removed the purpose of contact 6.30.2015

July 1, 2008

Effective 7/1/08 (TLE). Abolished Teacher occupational group and converted all positions to H7C1TX - H7C3XX in the Professional Services occupational group. Published as proposed 6/8/07.

July 1, 2002

Revised 7/1/02 (DLF). Moved Early Childhood Educator (C2C) from the Health Care Services to Teacher occupational group, changed class description. Published as proposed 6/18/01.

Sept. 1, 1993

Effective 9/1/93 (KAS). Job Evaluation System Revision project. Converted Day Nursery Aide (A8483) to Child Care Aide (C2C1). Converted Day Care Nursery Group Leader (A8484) to Early Childhood Educator II (C2C3). Created Early Childhood Educator I (C2C2). Published as proposed 5/10/93.

July 1, 1982

Revised 7/01/82. Grade and relationship changed.

July 1, 1977

Created 7/1/77. Day Care Nursery Aid and Group Leader (88483 and 88484)

Summary of Factor Ratings

Minimum Qualifications

Valid as of: July 1, 2024

This​ ​document​ ​includes​ ​the​ ​following​ ​levels:
 

CHILD CARE AIDE (H7C1XX)

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

• None

Substitutions

•  None

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR I (H7C2XX)

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

Any one of the following combinations of education and experience:

1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major area of study in one of the following areas: 1) Early childhood education; 2) Elementary education; 3) Special education; 4) Family and child development; 5) Child psychology
2. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with two (2) three-semester hour early childhood education college courses with one course being either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies
3. Current early childhood professional Credential Level III Version 2.0 as determined by the Colorado Department of Education
4. Sixty (60) semester hours in early childhood education from a regionally accredited college or university, which must include at least two (2) three-semester hour courses, one of which must be either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies, and six (6) months of satisfactory experience
5. Completion of twelve (12) semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university, at either a two (2) year, four (4) year or graduate level, in each of the following subject or content areas in early childhood education and one of the three (3) semester hour courses must be either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies and nine (9) months (1,395 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
6. Completion of a vocational or occupational education sequence in child development and twelve months of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
7. Current certification as a Child Development Associate (CDA) from the Council of Professional Recognition, or other Department-approved credential
8. Completion of a course of training approved by the Department that includes training and work experience with children in a child growth and development program and twelve (12) months (1,820 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
9. 1) Current Colorado Level I credential; or, 2) Two (2) three-semester hour early childhood education college courses from a regionally accredited college or university, at either a two (2) year, four (4) year or graduate level, in each of the following subject or content areas with one course being either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies and twenty-four (24) months (3,640hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual. Satisfactory experience includes being a licensee of a Colorado family child care home; a teacher’s aide or teacher in a child care center, preschool, or elementary school.

Substitutions

• None.

EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR II (H7C3XX)

Education/Licensure/Certification/Experience:

One (1) year of professional experience in an occupational field related to the work assigned to the position in addition to any of the following combinations of education and experience:

1. Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major area of study in one of the following areas: 1) Early childhood education; 2) Elementary education; 3) Special education; 4) Family and child development; 5) Child psychology
2. Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with two (2) three-semester hour early childhood education college courses with one course being either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies
3. Current early childhood professional Credential Level III Version 2.0 as determined by the Colorado Department of Education
4. Sixty (60) semester hours in early childhood education from a regionally accredited college or university, which must include at least two (2) three-semester hour courses, one of which must be either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies, and six (6) months of satisfactory experience
5. Completion of twelve (12) semester hours from a regionally accredited college or university, at either a two (2) year, four (4) year or graduate level, in each of the following subject or content areas in early childhood education and one of the three (3) semester hour courses must be either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies and nine (9) months (1,395 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
6. Completion of a vocational or occupational education sequence in child development and twelve months of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
7. Current certification as a Child Development Associate (CDA) from the Council of Professional Recognition, or other Department-approved credential
8. Completion of a course of training approved by the Department that includes training and work experience with children in a child growth and development program and twelve (12) months (1,820 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual
9. 1) Current Colorado Level I credential; or, 2) Two (2) three-semester hour early childhood education college courses from a regionally accredited college or university, at either a two (2) year, four (4) year or graduate level, in each of the following subject or content areas with one course being either Introduction to Early Childhood Education or Guidance Strategies and twenty-four (24) months (3,640hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four (4) or more children less than six (6) years of age who are not related to the individual. Satisfactory experience includes being a licensee of a Colorado family child care home; a teacher’s aide or teacher in a child care center, preschool, or elementary school

Substitutions

• None.

History of Changes Made to Minimum Qualification

The​ ​following​ ​is​ ​a​ ​summary​ ​of​ ​changes​ ​made​ ​to​ ​this​ ​minimum​ ​qualification.

Sept. 1, 2017 (Whole Document)

• Part of the 2017 MQ Project
• New Format
• Conditions of employment (COEs) have been removed from the minimum qualifications statement. COEs are position specific, and should be documented in the position description (PD) and job analysis. Further, all COEs should be placed in the Conditions of Employment section of the job announcement.
• Removed special requirements/qualifications. Special requirements or qualifications can appear as a special qualification in the job posting, if justified in the position description and job analysis.

Nov. 8, 2017 (Whole Document)

• Made grammatical changes

July 1, 2018 (H7C1TX changed to H7C1XX)

• Review and correction of the classification codes to align with the 2018-19 pay plan and compensation grades approved by the CHRO

Jan. 10, 2024 (Whole Document)

• New format (updating to adhere to accessibility standards)