Early childhood teacher education is a patchwork of preservice
and in-service education opportunities and credentials,
characterized by varied state and local requirements across types
of programs, auspices, and roles. Many states permit child care
providers and preschool teachers to begin to teach without any
professional preparation; others have preservice requirements
that range from a week of orientation to four years of college. Inservice
education is equally diverse, encompassing a variety of
educational opportunities designed to hone professional skills or
update professional knowledge, but it is most often characterized
by poorly designed and uncoordinated workshops and
conferences.