Quick Guide: Already working K-12? How to Become Qualified as a Lead ECE Teacher 🎒 (Pennsylvania)

Quick Guide: Already working K-12? How to Become Qualified as a Lead ECE Teacher 🎒 (Pennsylvania)


Working with ECE students can be an incredibly rewarding experience.  If you've already been working as a K-12 teacher with HelloSubs, you will have already met some of the requirements from the state.  There's only a few more steps that you'll need to take in order to qualify for Early Childhood roles.  We've made this guide for you to help walk you through the process.  

Before following this guide, please check with your Recruiter if you qualify as an Aide-level or a Lead ECE teacher.  
NotesIdea
Preliminary Paperwork

Step 1: Fill out this Reference Contact form.  If you have reference letters from previous employers, this may also be suitable.  Please send these to your recruiter.
      **Please note, there references MUST be from at least 2 previous supervisor where you were working with children**  If you do not have 2 years of experience, any references from previous supervisors will do.


Step 3: What is the highest level of education you have received?
  1. High School: please send a copy of your high school diploma OR transcripts and proceed to step 4.
  2. SOME College Credit (30+ Credit Hours)
    1. If the college credits were received in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, or Elementary Education, or a Human Services Field, such as Behavioral Science, Counseling, Human Behaivor, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Secondary Education, please send a copy of your transcripts, and you may skip step 4.
    2. If the college credits were in an unrelated field, please send either your high school diploma/transcripts, or your completed college transcripts proceed to step 4.
  3. College Degree or Higher
    1. If the college credits were received in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, Special Education, or Elementary Education, please send us a copy of your degree and you may skip step 4.
    2. If the college credits were in a Human Services Field, such as Behavioral Science, Counseling, Human Behavior, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Secondary Education, etc, please send a copy of your transcripts and you may skip step 4.
    3. If the college degree is in an unrelated field, please send either your college diploma OR transcripts and proceed to step 8.

Step 4: If you do not have a relevant degree, you will need to verify having 2 years of experience with children.  Please complete the DHS Childcare Evaluation form.  These forms will be completed by your previous employers to verify your experience.  Your recruiter will send through the forms through Zoho Sign.  

Part 2: Clearances and Background Checks


Step 1: Schedule and complete Your FBI Fingerprint Clearance - Please note, this is a separate background check through the Department of Human Services.  You likely have an FBI Check from the Department of Education - the additional FBI Check will need to be done through the Department of Human Services. 

Step 2: Have you lived outside of Pennsylvania within the last FIVE (5) years? If YES, follow the instructions within this article. If NO, continue to Step 6.


Step 3. Do you already have a Child Care Staff Health Assessment that has been completed in the last year? Send us a copy as you may be able to skip this step! IF NOT: Download, print, and get the Health Check form signed by a health care professional. 


Where does HelloSubs suggest I go for my health evaluation? 

  1. Minute-clinic at a Local Pharmacy, such as CVS or Rite Aide
  2. For applicants in Philadelphia, low-cost providers can be found here


Need more information on the health check? Visit this article. 


Notes
Part 3: Early Childhood Trainings
Step 1: Complete PA Early Childhood Education Trainings and submit them to your Recruitment Consultant.
Step 2: Complete Pediatric CPR Training
  1. For a list of approved providers, please follow this link
  2. While an Adult CPR Course is beneficial, there must be a Pediatric Component to the course in order to qualify
Step 3: Complete Fire Safety Training
  1. This training must be done in-person through an approved provider.  To find and register for a course, please search for "Fire Safety Training" using this link here
Step 4: Email the receipts for your out-of-pocket expenses (background checks) to support@hellosubs.co. HelloSubs will reimburse up to $200 AFTER you complete 10 worked days.
Step 5: Complete Mandatory Reporter Training (First 45 days of work)
  1. Course can be completed online through the Pennsylvania Child Welfare Resource Center. All candidates must complete the state-required Mandatory Reporter Training within their first 45 days of employment. The training reviews proper protocol on how to report instances of abuse or neglect in the classroom.