Professional Development System

The Professional Development System (PDS) provides resources, training, education, scholarships, and incentives to improve the quality of early care and education services in Idaho. This system is possible through the collaboration of state agencies, colleges and universities, and many others.

The IdahoSTARS Registry is designed to track the status, wages, working conditions, and employment of early care and education practitioners in Idaho. Training, education and experience can be applied toward placement on the IdahoSTARS Career Pathway. Children and Families are the ultimate beneficiaries of the highest quality child care.

You must attend a Professional Development System (PDS) Orientation to become involved in the PDS. Call the Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 to register for an orientation.

Components of the Professional Development System:

The Professional Development System includes:

• Definition of core knowledge
• Trainer Registry and Approval System
• Training Approval System
• Training/Workshop Calendar provided by the Idaho Training Clearinghouse
• Credentialing and Certification Systems
• Career Pathway System
• A voluntary Early Childhood Professional Registry System designating the career pathway level for incentives
• Incentive Systems for recognition of experience and increased education linking  training with compensation and longevity in the field
• Scholarship Systems to assist early childhood professionals in increasing their training and level of education
• Community Education/Outreach for the advancement of early child care and education through the IdahoSTARS webpage
• Mentors to provide regular feedback to enrolled providers

Signing Up for the PDS Registry

Everyone who works in the early care and education profession is eligible to participate in the PDS Registry.

• Family & Group Child Care Homes
• Relative caregivers
• Foster Parents
• Head Start programs
• Child care centers and half day Preschools
• Public and private schools – pre-kindergarten through 3rd grade including Family Consumer Science Instructors
• Higher education – community and tribal colleges and universities including Family Consumer Science Instructors
• Community agencies serving children and families

Here is what you need to do:

• Dial 2-1-1 and ask for your regional Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) office, sign up and attend the PDS Orientation, complete the PDS application packet, send your application to the IdahoSTARS PDS office, and be ready to receive your placement information in the mail within six weeks.
• If you are an employee of a child care facility - You may be eligible for incentives and scholarships for training or academic credits if you have regularly scheduled work directly with children in a child care setting at least 15 hours a week, have been in the early childhood profession for at least six months, and earn less than $15/hour.
• If you are an owner/director of a child care facility - You may be eligible for incentives and scholarships for training or academic credits if you have regularly scheduled work directly with children, staff, and or parents in a child care setting at least 30 hours a week, have been in the early childhood profession for at least six months, and earn less than $15/hour
• One year after receiving a PDS Registry Acceptance packet (your "anniversary date"), it is your responsibility to submit proof of continued training. Remember, if you have completed the amount of hours needed to move to the next level on the PDS, you can submit proof at any time, even before your anniversary date. You will then qualify for the next incentive. We look forward to your continued growth in our profession!!

I'm In, Now What?!

Things that you never found out about IdahoSTARS Professional Development Registry and are dying to know!!

Question: The IdahoSTARS Professional Development System is a neat idea but "What Do I Do Now That I'm In?"

Answer: Start attending IdahoSTARS approved training and your attendance will be tracked on the official attendance sheets. Check out the training calendar for available training opportunities. You can also contact an IdahoSTARS Quality Child Care Consultant in your regional CCR&R office to discuss what training or college classes you could consider taking to gain knowledge and skills to improve your abilities to work with young children.

Question: I have been in the IdahoSTARS Registry for almost one year; I've taken my required approved training hours or college credit, now what? Is there a time frame that I will need to follow?

Answer: For Career Pathway Levels 4.0 through 8.0 only - congratulations on your professional development achievements! Within one month after your anniversary date (the date on your placement letter), fill out the Request for an IdahoSTARS Incentive Form and mail to IdahoSTARS Registry office. Attach all of the required documentation. It will be easy - just follow the instructions on the Request Form for Recognition incentives Question: What is a Completion Incentive for PDS participants on the Career Pathway Levels 1.0 through 3.5?

Answer: For levels 1.0 through 3.5 after completion of 15 hours of IdahoSTARS approved training or one college credit related to ECE the participant can request a completion incentive. This incentive for 2007 will be $50 for the 15 hours or one college credit. Participants can submit each time they complete 15 hours or one college credit throughout the year.If the completion of 15 hours or one college credit makes the participant eligible for a level move, the incentive award will be for the greater amount, not both

Question: I've taken enough training hours (or college courses) to move to the next level of the Career Pathway. Now what? How long do I have to wait?

Answer: When you obtain the required number of approved training hours or college credits, you can submit the Request for Incentives Form. Check the current IdahoSTARS Career Pathway Levels Chart to determine your required hours or credits to move a level. Follow the directions on the Request Form for Level Moves and submit to the IdahoSTARS Registry Office.

Question: I'm very confused on what I'm supposed to do. Who should I contact about my professional development?

Answer: Your local Child CCR&R Office is a great resource to help you learn about training and a career path. Just dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 and ask for your local CCR&R office. Another option is ask the 2-1-1 operator for the IdahoSTARS Career/Scholarship Counselor in the Boise office

Enrollment in IdahoSTARS Professional Development Registry

Calling all Idaho Early Childhood Care and Education Professionals! After you are enrolled, start attending IdahoSTARS approved training and/or college courses to accumulate either approved hours of training or college credit to qualify for the Career Pathway Incentives. You may be eligible for scholarships through IdahoSTARS to help pay for training opportunities, so check it out. For more information, dial 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 and ask for your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) Office to sign up for an IdahoSTARS Registry Orientation