Early Childhood Development Practitioner

Position Overview

Primary Purpose of Position

The Early Childhood Development Practitioner position entails the comprehensive care and instruction of preschool-aged children on a university-wide research campus. Practitioners are integral to supporting research projects and addressing specialized developmental needs, ensuring the physical, emotional, and social well-being of children. Core responsibilities include developing and implementing age-appropriate curricula, collecting and maintaining research data, performing essential educational tasks, and effectively communicating developmental progress and concerns with parents and professionals. The role also involves providing individualized developmental guidance, ensuring rigorous compliance with health and safety regulations, conducting regular emergency drills, and upholding high sanitation standards. Practitioners must adhere to all applicable childcare facility and governmental regulations at local, state, and national levels. They may also be required to administer first aid, CPR, and medications as needed. Additionally, practitioners are expected to engage in continuous professional development, exemplify professionalism at all times, and communicate effectively with parents, colleagues, and other caregivers. Efficient time management, meticulous record-keeping, and the training, supervision, and mentorship of university students are also essential components of the role. This comprehensive position is crucial to fostering optimal child development, ensuring the highest standards of care, and supporting the university’s educational and research objectives.

Primary Function of Organizational Unit

N.C. A&T is a public, land-grant, doctoral research institution and has been the largest historically Black university in the country for the past decade. With an enrollment of 15,275 students in Fall 2026, the university offers 59 undergraduate degree programs, 36 master’s programs, and 12 doctoral programs. It is America’s top producer of Black graduates in Engineering and Agricultural Science bachelor’s programs, as well as a top five producer in numerous additional disciplines, including Liberal Arts and Communications/Journalism. It also ranks no. 3 in master’s degrees awarded to Black graduates in Engineering Technologies and Related Fields, no. 4 in master’s degrees in Engineering, and no. 11 best business school for women in the nation. Nationally recognized for its leadership and excellence in STEM education and research, N.C. A&T is classified as “R2-High Research Activity” in the Carnegie Classifications and is poised to achieve “R1-Very High Research Activity” status. It also holds Carnegie’s earned credential in Community Engagement and the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation. With an annual economic impact of $2.4 billion, N.C. A&T plays a vital role as a higher-education economic driver in North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad region and across a state that is ranked No. 1 in the nation for the second straight year as “best for business” by the CNBC financial network. The Child Development Laboratory is administered by the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences within the College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences at North Carolina A&T State University. The CDL has been in existence for over sixty years. The CDL offers a high quality 5-Star program, as determined by the North Carolina Division of Child Development and Early Education. This is the highest rating available to early educational facilities in North Carolina. The laboratory services children from age 2 1/2 to 5-years-old and provides an enriching environment for young children and their families. Two classrooms are staffed with experienced teachers educated in the fields of Child Development and Early Childhood Education. The CDL focuses on the physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and creative development of the child. The CDL is also a teaching, research, and service laboratory for students in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences who major in Child Development and Family Studies at N.C. A&T. The CDL is also available for use by students from other majors across the campus that have an interest in child development, child behavior, special education, human performance & leisure studies, speech pathology, social work, psychology, and other areas involving children and families. The maximum enrollment is thirty-four (34) children per year.

Minimum Requirements

Possess a four-year degree in Child Development and Family Studies, Early Childhood Education, or a closely related field from an accredited University. Previous experience in preparing for the ECERS-R; assessment and evaluation of young children; familiarity with the Creative Curriculum, Dial-4 Screening, and Conscious Discipline; and modeling appropriate practices for University students.

Preferred Years Experience, Skills, Training, Education

A Bachelor’s degree in child development, early childhood education, or closely related field from an accredited university. Work experience, which includes supervision of children, classroom management, and experience with licensing requirements in a child development laboratory/center. Minimum of four years experience in an academic environment. Understanding of the NC Star licensing procedures. Experience in preparing for the ECERS-R assessment and evaluation of young children; familiarity with the creative curriculum, Dial 4 screenings, and Conscious Discipline techniques. Excellent verbal and written communication skills are required. Must be able to obtain and maintain a criminal background check qualifying letter and CPR and First Aid certifications, in addition to requested correspondence for pre-service and in-service requirements of the Division of Child Development and Early Education. Must have a current TB test and physical signed and dated by the physician.

Required License or Certification

Current NC Division of Child Development and Early Education CBC Qualification Letter and North Carolina Early Educator Certification or license in Birth-Kindergarten