Early Childhood & Teacher Preparation Technical Standards

Purpose Statement

All students in the Education Program are expected to meet certain technical standards which are essential for the successful completion of all phases of the program, and which reflect industry requirements and standards. To verify the student’s ability to perform these essential functions, students may be required to demonstrate the technical standards below.

Meeting these technical standards does not guarantee employment in this field upon graduation. The ability to meet the program’s technical standards does not guarantee a student’s eligibility for any certification exams or successful completion of the program.

 

Technical StandardDefinition of StandardsExamples
Critical Thinking/Problem-Solving SkillsAbilities are sufficient for the classroom, lab, and work in industry situations that require the organization of time, and materials, prioritization of tasks, multitasking, and adapting to changing situations.
  • Synthesize child observations with known child development and plan lessons accordingly.
  • Respond to child behaviors in a way that demonstrates knowledge of child development and developmentally appropriate practices.
  • Be able to demonstrate the ability to think logically about educational issues.
  • Demonstrate the ability to multi-task and adapt to and display flexibility in changing situations.
  • Perform the above skills independently.
Interpersonal SkillsAbilities are sufficient to interact with individuals and groups from a variety of social, emotional, cultural, and intellectual backgrounds and age groups.
  • Work as a team in college classes for group work.
  • Work as a team in early childhood settings.
  • Maintain a cooperative spirit when working with classmates or early childhood professionals.
  • Demonstrate respect for those whose appearance, condition, beliefs, and values may conflict with your own.
  • Demonstrate sufficient emotional health to perform under stress, exercise good judgment, and promptly complete all academic work and work-based learning responsibilities.
Communication SkillsAbilities are sufficient for verbal and non-verbal communication abilities with children, families, and other child-care providers in the early childhood environment.
  • Have adequate verbal and written communication skills with other adults (colleagues, parents) and children of differing ages.
  • Understand and respond to oral communications and directions.
  • Take initiative in speaking with parents to make them and the child feel welcome.
  • Work with families and children during arrival and departure to provide a smooth transition (early childhood specific).
  • Be able to read, write, understand, and respond to written instructions, communications, and materials.
Coping SkillsAbilities are sufficient for working under stress and maintaining composure.
  • Solves personal and interpersonal problems.
  • Demonstrates ability to resolve conflicts and deal with upset clients (families).
  • Ability to remain cool, calm, and collected when working with children’s challenging behaviors.
Mobility/Motor SkillsAbilities are sufficient for motor ability (balance, coordination, speed, and agility) and strength to move independently throughout a classroom setting, to move equipment/children, and to ensure safe and effective environments.
  • Have mobility, strength, and dexterity to be able to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Ability to be at and interact at each child’s level and retrieve children who wander and/or run from the group.
  • Be able to sit down on the floor and get up again quickly.
  • Perform the duties of sweeping, mopping, cleaning tables, toilets, etc.
  • Be able to run and play with children in all environments.
  • Be able to maneuver safely around active moving children in all environments.
Auditory SkillsSufficient auditory ability to monitor and assess the needs of children.
  • Have adequate hearing in order to supervise children from across a 20 ft. room.
  • Demonstrate required sensory skills in order to observe both individuals and groups of children. Tasks include monitoring safety, interactions, and meeting the needs of children.
Visual SkillsSufficient visual acuity/ability to monitor and assess the needs of children.
  • Have an adequate vision in order to supervise children from across a 20 ft. room.
  • Demonstrate required sensory skills in order to observe individual children as well as a group of children for monitoring safety, social interaction, non-verbal cues, or signs of physical abuse or neglect.
Tactile SkillsSufficient tactile ability to monitor and assess the needs of children.
  • Determining the temperature of formula on the inside of the wrist prior to feeding an infant (early childhood specific).
  • Using touch to assess a child’s well-being.
  • Determining whether materials are at a temperature that would be safe for children (water temperature, foods, etc.).
EnvironmentalAbilities are sufficient to work in an active environment and tolerate environmental stressors and function safely.
  • Have mobility, strength, and dexterity to be able to lift a child weighing up to 50 pounds.
  • Have the ability to interact at each child’s level and retrieve children who wander throughout the day.
  • Be able to sit down on the floor or ground and get up again quickly repeatedly.
  • Be able to change a diaper repeatedly (early childhood and/or special needs specific).
  • Perform the duties of sweeping, mopping, cleaning tables and toilets, etc.
  • Be able to run and play with children outside.
Emotional/BehavioralSufficient behavior and social abilities to interact and work collaboratively with individuals, groups, and families while maintaining composure in stressful situations, making sound decisions, and assuming responsibility/accountability for actions.
  • Be able to stand or sit in front of groups of children and present class materials such as reading books, singing songs, or dancing.
  • Be able to interact with children and families through eye contact, and verbal communication and do so according to general social norms; including being able to make adjustments to interactions based on the child or family’s cultural/social needs.
  • Be able to multi-task: stay in control and adequately supervise a group of at least 15 children who are performing different activities.
  • Should have skills in order to meet the needs of small and/or large groups of children while also being aware of the other children in the room, and helping those with special needs or problems at any given time.
  • Take initiative in speaking with parents to make them and the child feel welcome; work with parents and children during arrival and departure to provide a smooth transition.
  • Be willing to receive direction, suggestions, and feedback from co-workers, supervisors, and families in a manner that is calm and professional.
  • Adapt to rapidly changing environments and/or stress.
  • Refrain from the use and abuse of any substance that would impair the ability to attend work consistently and work with children in a reliable manner.
  • Have the ability to attend work consistently and work with children in a reliable manner to ensure the safety of, observation of, and assessment of all situations involving a child, and a group of children and co-workers.
  • Adapt to changing duties and needs of the work environment, including retaining new information related to the program, the profession, and the needs of each child.
  • Exercise independent judgment to effectively solve problems, and make decisions.

 

In the case of another wise qualified individual with a documented disability, appropriate and reasonable accommodations will be made unless to do so would fundamentally alter the essential training elements, cause undue hardship, or produce a direct threat to the safety of the children or student with the understanding that for future employment some technical standards are related to child care rules and regulations from NC General Statutes.

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College is invested in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Support Services is part of Student Services and is located in the K. Ray Bailey Student Services Center. For detailed information or to request accommodations visit Support Services. An appointment is recommended prior to enrollment in order to discuss any special concerns.