Becoming a Mentor/Coach

Table of Opportunities

How do I become a Mentor/Coach? [top]

There are different types of Mentor/Coaching. Check out the detailed description and mentor flow chart of becoming a mentor/coach. An application to become an approved mentor/coach is available here.

Kinds of Mentor/Coaching

The Apprenticeship Program is a structured mentor/coaching relationship that usually lasts two years. Apprentices must be registered in IdahoSTARS Professional Development System. The apprentices are child care providers who are pursuing degrees in Early Childhood Education. They meet weekly with a mentor/coach who has at least five years of experience as a child care provider and who has a degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. The goal is to integrate the knowledge gained in the college classroom with hands-on application in the child care setting.

We work with our mentor/coaches to match skill sets, interests, and time commitments with individual projects requested by child care providers. Here are some examples: If you have a business background, you may be able to help with policies and procedures, a marketing plan, or a long-term business plan. If you are an early childhood professional, you might work with curriculum, room arrangement, or developmentally appropriate practice. Or you might guide a center through the accreditation process. If you have personnel experience, you might work with staff development or relations. To apply to work with a child care provider through an individual project, fill out the Become A Mentor/Coach Application (PDF).

Child Care Health Consultants are also available to child care providers as Mentor/Coaches. Take the Child Care Health Consultant course and use your background in health, nursing or early education to support providers in offering safe and healthy environments for the children and families they serve.

How does the process work [top]

Register in the IdahoSTARS Professional Development Registry (Dial 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine for information.)
Complete the Mentor/Coach application forms and submit with attachments to:

Julaine Ziegert, Program Director
Mentor/Coaches for Early Care and Education
1471 Shoreline Dr., Ste. 202
Boise, ID 83702
TEL: 208-345-1090, ext. 20 FAX: 208-345-6569,
EMAIL: jziegert@idahoaeyc.org
You will be contacted about the status of your application within two weeks.
Upon approval, you will meet with the Quality Child Care Consultant who is the IdahoSTARS liaison with mentors in your region. S/he will conduct a three hour orientation on what it means to become a mentor/coach.
After you complete the orientation, you will be approved to work with an apprentice or with a provider for an individual project.
Once you have become an approved mentor/coach, you may attend quarterly mentor/coaching meetings in your Region. See Mentor Flow chart for the process of providers requesting a mentor