Early Childhood Expert

SUNY Rockland Teacher Education Program Review

In 2014 I was asked to be an external reviewer of the SUNY Rockland Teacher Education Program, and specifically for the Early Childhood Development Certificate Program. As an external reviewer, I reviewed the courses, coursework and course sequence of the program, as well as observed and evaluated full time and adjunct instructors. I then collaborated with other ECE professionals to create a report for the New York State Department of Education. We presented this report to the department as well as the provost of SUNY Rockland, and made recommendations for ways to enhance and extend the teacher education program. 

Court Cases - NY State Department of Education

"Brown vs. Ulster County Community Action"

In March 2016 I was contacted by the Carter Conboy Law Firm to act as an early childhood expert for their client, Ulster County Community Action (an Early/Head Start center in NY State). The client was involved in a civil lawsuit where a family alleged that the staff at the center did not properly watch their five month old baby and prevent her from an accident. The infant hit her head on the floor, and the family alleged that the child had developmental delays and seizures from the accident.

I reviewed family and center statements, deposition transcripts, incident reports, hospital and pediatrician reports, medical and birth records and all hiring/OCFS documents from the center. I then completed a report that presented my expert opinion on whether or not the child was properly cared for and whether or not the center was participating in best practices for early care and education. While I cannot provide my complete report, I can provide the table of contents in order to present my work for the case.

Dr. Jennifer Kaywork 

Early Childhood Education/Child and Family Development Expert Report 

Brown vs. Ulster County Community Action 

March 2016

1. Introduction

2. Adequate Supervision

a. Caregiver Proximity and Behaviors

b. Pillow Support

c. Caregiving Practices Adhering to Physical Development

d. Floor/Movement Space and Manipulative Materials 

e. Adherence to NAEYC Principles

3. Qualifications of Caregivers

4. Early Head Start and the Importance of Families 

5. Health and Non-School Care of XXXX

a. Brain Development

b. Infant Emotional Expression

c. Resilience Behaviors

6. Concern: Lack of Communication and Incident Report

7. Concern: Training for teachers is not well-documented

8. Concern: The Plaintiff’s Expert, Ms. XXXX

9. References