Career Ladder for Advising

The Career Ladder for early childhood professionals is a tool for tracking and planning professional growth. Each of the six levels combines both education completed and professional experience with children and families. It incorporates a number of different professional stepping stones currently available in Vermont into one Northern Lights Professional Development System.

Of course, early childhood professionals take many different paths in the development of their career. It is not expected that everyone moves up the ladder, step by step. You might take shorter or longer to complete a level. You might start with experience and a four year degree in early childhood education (Level IV). You might start with a Bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field, but need to work on meeting Level I requirements in the field of early childhood. You might have an Associate degree (Level III) in a related field but because of your job, need to pursue your Child Development Associate Credential (Level II), next. It’s your career and this Career Ladder can guide your professional development. 

Click here to view the Career Ladder and download the Certificate applications for each level (the last row in the grid).

Click on the link above to find the applications for each of the levels in the Career Ladder.   Once you achieve a level Certificate, you may also be eligible for a Professional Recognition Bonus from the Child Development Division.  Northern Lights will pass your successful application on to the Child Development Division for them to review and consider for the Recognition Bonus. 

This alignment chart shows how the Northern Lights Career Ladder, the Child Development Recognition Bonus  and the Step Ahead Recognition System (STARS) - staff requirements and professional development arena all align and can benefit you. More STARS information can be found on the Child Development Division website here.

The Career Lattice, is a tool to help you consider how different work settings relate to the steps in the Career Ladder. Click here to view the Career Lattice.

The Career Advising Guide is another related tool you can use to plan your career.

Remember, also check with employers about their requirements for positions. If you work in a NAEYC accredited center, it’s a good idea to reference their professional development requirements.  If your program is part of Vermont’s STep Ahead Recognition System (STARS), look for their professional development requirements.