ECE Application Questions

Instructions

Respond to each of the questions below using these instructions. You may choose to submit either written or recorded responses:

  • Written responses: Write a short paragraph (150 words or less) in response to each question.
  • Recorded responses: Make a video or audio recording with your responses (1-2 minutes per question). You will need to upload your recording to a cloud service such as Youtube, Google Drive, or Sharepoint and share the link in your application form.

Please reach out to us at eceinfo@uw.edu if you have questions about how to submit your application questions.

 

Questions

1. READ: Early childhood is defined as birth to age 8. The ECE program focuses specifically on community-based early learning with children from birth to age 8 and their families. 

RESPOND: Tell us about your experience and/or interest in working with children specifically from birth to age 8 and their families.

 

2. READ: The ECE program is designed to foster students’ capacity to work with others to enact change toward more equitable early learning settings and communities. The goals of the ECE program align with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Advancing Equity Position Statement (2019) statement. 

RESPOND: Please download and read the National Association for the Education of Young Children Advancing Equity Position Statement (2019): English, Spanish, Chinese, then answer both of the following prompts:

  • Part A: Select one recommendation from page 6 (“Recommendations for Everyone”) that you have implemented in order to enact change in an early learning or community setting. This example may come from your professional or personal experiences.
    • Describe an example of a time you enacted the recommendation and the impact it had. 
    • How have your experiences prepared you to advance equity with children and families through this action? 
  • Part B: Select one recommendation from page 6 (“Recommendations for Everyone”) that represents an area of growth for you in order to enact change in an early learning or community setting. This example can come from your professional or personal experiences. 
    • Explain the growth you want in this area and how you can continue your growth toward supporting equity in early learning.

 

3. READ: In the ECE program, we commit to ongoing reflection and growth, learning from families, colleagues, children, community, and strengths-based approaches to practice. 

RESPOND: Describe a time when you learned something new about working with young children and families. How did it change your practice? How does it demonstrate that you are open to learning?

 

4. READ: The ECE program requires you to complete community-based learning in an early learning setting during most quarters of the program. This can be completed in your workplace or a volunteer site that:

  • Allows you to work or volunteer at least 3-5 hours per week in most quarters
  • Allows you to interact directly with children between the ages of 0-6
  • Allows you to observe, enact practices, and film yourself interacting with at least 5 children
  • Is a formal early learning setting, such as Head Start, ECEAP, childcare center, family childcare center, or Kindergarten classroom

RESPOND: Please choose one scenario that applies to you and respond to the prompts:

  • Scenario 1: You already work or volunteer in a site that meets these requirements. 

    • Please briefly describe the setting and your role.

  • Scenario 2: You do not already work or volunteer in a site that meets these requirements. Support is available to help you find a site. Early learning settings typically operate during weekdays only, with hours between 7am - 6pm.

    • Will you be able to commit to working or volunteering at least 3-5 hours per week in an early learning site throughout the program?

    • What support or adjustments to your current schedule will you need to make this possible?

 

5. (optional) Are you applying as a member of a Cottonwood Cohort or do you currently work in a Tribal early learning or Indigenous education setting? If so, please name the setting or the Tribe that you work with. We ask this question for the purpose of connecting students to opportunities within the Cottonwood cohorts.

 

6. (optional) Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?