In Phase A, the candidates are given training in Communication for Evaluation to provide them with the skills needed to be effective in their evaluations. The training session, Case Study Response, introduces the candidates to the case study process and practice in presenting a case study response to their peers. Case studies are assigned to the candidate in the relation ship areas of Staff, Families, Licensed Operator (Owners & Boards), Facility and Community of the management areas grid. Candidates prepare a response and present it to a group that includes five peers, a validator and meeting coordinator. Each person in the meeting rates the candidate’s approach to the case study on three of the competencies within the relationship area that apply to the case study. Throughout this phase, the candidate’s facilitator mentors the candidate through the process, dialoguing back and forth on journal entries that have been assigned to the candidate. These entries are based on competencies that are not addressed in their assigned case study. The candidate reflects on the competency
and relates it to her own experience and practice. The competencies in the journal entries are
addressed in Phase B when the candidate writes five case studies.

Phase B includes training in writing case studies and the application of ethics. The written case
studies are evaluated as the case study responses in Phase A. Throughout the Examination step in
Early Childhood Centre Administrator Certification, candidates are preparing their practice binders by gathering centre forms, policies, procedures, philosophy and the legal sanctions that affect their work into a binder.

The process for evaluating the candidates for ECCA administration certification is inclusive. It reflects the developmental process in the candidates, the complexity of the administrator’s role, and the shared values of continuous learning and collegiality. It is sensitive to the ethical issues around confidentiality that would present themselves in a peer evaluation process of early childhood centre administrators. It is flexible so candidates can move in and out of the process in response to their needs.