In early childhood education, unlike K-12 education, many administrators, teachers and classroom aides enter the field with little or no formal preparation. Consequently, ongoing professional development is crucial to the quality of learning experiences for young children.

The Mississippi State University (MSU) Early Childhood Institute collects information about the professional qualifications of administrators, teachers, and classroom aides at all centers that enroll in the institute’s programs. This information makes it possible to identify specific professional development needs at individual centers.