Your Orientation to the ECE Field
Welcome to early childhood care and education. Whether you are here because you love working with children, you are exploring a career change, or someone pointed you in this direction — you are in the right place. This page will walk you through everything you need to know before you take your first step into the field.
What Working in Early Childhood Settings Looks Like
Early childhood care and education is demanding, specialized work. The people who thrive in this field are patient, curious, joyful, imaginative and genuinely energized by children. They are good at building relationships — with children, with families, and with colleagues. They are comfortable with noise, mess, and the unexpected. They understand that the work they do every day has a lasting impact on the children in their care.
A typical day might include:
- Welcoming children and families at the start of the day
- Leading structured learning activities and free play
- Supporting children through transitions, meals, and rest time
- Observing children's development and documenting what you notice
- Communicating with families about their child's day
- Collaborating with colleagues on curriculum and program planning
This is not a passive job. It requires skill, knowledge, and professional commitment, and Maine has built a system to recognize and reward that commitment.
Types of Early Childhood Settings
Early childhood care and education happens in several different types of settings in Maine. Understanding the differences will help you decide where you might want to start. (Click the titles to read information about each).
Child Care Centers
Licensed child care centers are group settings that serve children from infancy through school age. They are typically open during standard working hours and may serve infants and toddlers, preschool-age children, and school-age children in afterschool or vacation programs. Staff work alongside other educators in a team environment with a director overseeing the program.
Family Child Care Programs
Family child care providers run small, home-based programs — typically caring for a mixed-age group of children in their own home. Family child care is licensed by the state and subject to the same professional development requirements as center-based care. It is a small business as well as a caregiving practice.
Out-of-School Time Programs
Out-of-school time programs serve school-age children — typically ages five through fifteen — before and after school, during school vacations, and over the summer. These programs focus on youth development, enrichment, and safe supervised care during out-of-school hours. They operate in community centers, schools, and other settings across Maine.
Public Pre-K Programs
Some Maine public schools offer pre-k programs for three and four year olds. These programs are part of the public school system and are staffed by certified teachers and education technicians. If you are already a certified teacher moving into pre-k, this may be the setting most familiar to you.
Steps to Take Before You Start Your ECE Career
Before you begin working in a licensed early childhood program in Maine, there are several requirements you will need to meet. Your employer will guide you through the process, but knowing what to expect ahead of time helps. Coming to an employer with these steps already completed tells them you are serious, prepared, and ready to start on day one. It is one of the best things you can do to stand out before you even start.
Join the Maine Roads to Quality Registry
The Registry is Maine's official professional record for ECE practitioners and it is where your career pathway officially begins. Joining is free, takes only a few minutes, and is the first thing you should do. Every training you complete, every credential you earn, and your years of experience will be documented there — and your Registry level determines your monthly income through the Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement System.
Complete Your Fingerprint-Based Background Check
Start this early — it can take time to process. All staff in licensed child care settings in Maine are required to complete a comprehensive background check including fingerprinting. It is conducted through IdentoGO and must be renewed every five years.Schedule your appointment, complete the process, and keep your Letter of Eligibility from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services — your employer will ask for it. Having this in hand before you apply makes you immediately work-ready.
Complete Mandated Reporter Training
Maine requires all child care staff to complete mandated reporter training — which covers how to recognize and report suspected child abuse and neglect. Free online options are available and the training can be completed quickly. Do this early — it is one of the first things an employer will ask about. You can complete Maine approved trainings through iLookOutMaine and the
Get Certified in Pediatric First Aid and CPR
Current certification in pediatric first aid and CPR is required for child care staff. The certification must include a hands-on skills assessment — online-only courses do not meet the requirement. Contact the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or your local hospital to find a course near you. You will need to keep this certification current throughout your career.
Complete the Health and Safety Orientation
All new child care staff must complete the Health and Safety training, which covers foundational health and safety practices for working with children. This training is renewed annually and is available online through the Registry.
MRTQ PDN: An Ecosystem for Professional Excellence
Maine Roads to Quality PDN is an ecosystem for professional excellence. Five interconnected components work together to support providers, programs, and the children they serve:
The Registry
The Registry is Maine's official professional record for ECE providers and it is where your career pathway officially begins. Joining is free, takes only a few minutes, and is the first thing you should do. Every training you complete, every credential you earn, and your years of experience will be documented there — and your Registry level determines your monthly income through the State of Maine's Early Childhood Educator Workforce Salary Supplement System.
Training
MRTQ PDN offers a robust catalog of Core Knowledge training that supports professional growth and career development for early care and education providers across Maine. Training is available on-demand and through facilitated courses.
Credentials
formal recognition from the State of Maine that you have demonstrated professional expertise at a specific stage of the pathway. Credentials offer alternative career pathways alongside pre-existing higher education models.
Program and Provider Support
MRTQ PDN's Quality Specialists are regionally based ECE professionals available to support both programs and individual providers across Maine. Targeted technical assistance, dedicated inclusion support, and Rising Stars for ME are the primary drivers for continuous quality improvement of Maine ECE programs. This is hands-on, relationship-based support available at no cost.
Rising Stars for ME
Maine's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) connects program quality directly to Child Care Affordability Program reimbursement rates. MRTQ PDN supports programs in understanding and improving their Rising Stars rating.