What is a Core Competency?

Composed of Goals and Functional Areas, core competencies are statements of the skills needed to be a competent caregiver and the basis upon which caregivers are assessed.

Why have Core Competencies?

A Core Competency is an expertise that enables a provider to provide unique value to children and parents. It embodies a provider’s learning. It helps her/him to offer their children better quality child care.

Washington State's Core Competency Areas

The Child Care Coordinating Committee's Career Development Subcommittee determined 11 Core Competency Areas in which child care professionals should be knowledgeable and skilled:

1.        Child Growth, Development and Learning
To understand the nature of growth and development and the adult's role in supporting a child's development and learning.

2.        Cultural and Individual Diversity
To understand families as the primary context for children's learning and development, respect diversity in family structures and values, and develop skills in interacting with parents in ways that enhance children's educational success.

3.        Family Systems
To maintain an open, friendly and cooperative relationship with each child's family, encouraging family involvement and supporting the child's relationship with his or her family.

4.        Communication
To communicate effectively with children, parents, other caregivers and colleagues.

5.        Observation and Assessment
To develop skills in observation, assessment, documentation and methods of reporting to family members.

6.        Curriculum Development
To understand that learning experiences are designed to meet the needs of all children, promote creativity, develop awareness of cultural backgrounds and diverse needs and stimulate learning in all developmental areas.

7.        Environmental Design
To be able to plan and create an atmosphere, using physical and human elements that foster children's involvement and development and promotes children's self esteem, social interaction and joy of learning.

8.        Child Guidance
To use organizational and guidance strategies that foster responsibility, autonomy, self-reliance and positive social interactions and to respond to children with respect, acceptance and comfort, acknowledging their individual diversity.

9.        Health, Safety and Nutrition
To promote good health and nutrition and to provide a safe environment for children.

10.     Professionalism
To make decisions based upon knowledge of theories and best practices, to advocate for quality in programs and schools and to improve one's competence both for personal and professional growth.

11.     Administration
To be able to effectively and efficiently operate a program or school that assures quality services to young children, youth and their families.

You can develop a continuing education plan through the STARS Registry web site  specifically by core competency area.