- (a) The purpose of this part is to establish the requirements and procedures for obtaining an Arkansas Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential.
- (b) The Arkansas Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential is a competency-based credential created to provide an additional professional pathway for individuals wishing to pursue a more advanced level of knowledge and skill in working with young children and their families.
- (c) The credential provides a pathway for the preparation of teachers for all children, birth through age five (5), including children with special needs, but shall not be utilized in lieu of the teaching license issued by the State Board of Education when it is required for a public early childhood education program.
(d)
- (1) Professionals working in a variety of early care and education settings including Head Start, Arkansas Better Chance, early intervention day treatment or other inclusive programs, home visiting programs, and various community-based early care and education services will find this credential supportive of their professional development needs.
- (2) In addition, the credential will strengthen the infrastructure in Arkansas which will improve the quality of programs and experiences available for all children, birth to age five (5), regardless of setting.
- (e) The Arkansas Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential reflects the Arkansas Professional Development Registry Arkansas Workforce Knowledge and Competencies for Early Childhood.