Center/Preschool Based Program

1. Completion of one of the following ECE classes:

1. 1. Introduction to early childhood professions;
   2. Introduction to early childhood lab techniques;
   3. Early childhood guidance strategies for children;
   4. Early childhood health, nutrition, and safety;
   5. Administration of early childhood care and education programs;
   6. Administration: human relations for early childhood professions or introduction to business;
   7. Early childhood curriculum development;
   8. Early childhood growth and development.
   9. The exceptional child;
   10. Infant/toddler theory and practice; or the Department approved expanding quality infant/toddler training
2. AND 1,820 hours (1 year) of experience

Completion of two (2) of the following classes:

1. Introduction to early childhood professions;
2. Introduction to early childhood lab techniques;
3. Early childhood guidance strategies for children;
4. Early childhood health, nutrition, and safety;
5. Administration of early childhood care and education programs;
6. Administration: human relations for early childhood professions or introduction to business;
7. Early childhood curriculum development;
8. Early childhood growth and development.
9. The exceptional child;
10. Infant/toddler theory and practice; or the Department approved expanding quality infant/toddler training

Where you combine your education/experience and professional development.

A current Early Childhood Credential level I version 1.0 or 2.0*

EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER

There are a variety of ways to become qualified as an early childhood teacher in Colorado. The

following pathways walk through requirements for each approach. ECPAC is here to help you to develop professionally. An Early Childhood Teacher is qualified to be able to lead an early childhood classroom

1. A current Colorado Level I, 1.0, credential or two three-semester hour early childhood education college courses from a regionally accredited college or university.

Education Requirement: A current Colorado Level I credential (version 1.0) OR two 3-semester hour college courses, one of which must be Intro to ECE or Guidance Strategies.

* All college course grades toward Early Childhood Teacher qualifications must be “C” or better.

** Expanding Quality in Infant-Toddler Care (EQIT) may be substituted for Infant and Toddler Theory and Practice, and Pyramid Plus training may be substituted for Guidance Strategies, with a verification certificate from the trainer.

Experience Requirement: ** Twenty-four (24) months (3,640 hours) of satisfactory experience

Resources for Option I

FRCC for ECE 101 and 103

Pyramid Plus opportunities

EQIT Opportunities

ECPAC website

Other Council Offerings

H. Completion of a course of training approved by the Department. Completion of a Department approved course of training. Approved Trainings include:

Montessori Training approved for MECR, Montessori Centre International, AMI, or AMS

Delta Montrose Technical Center / Technical College of the Rockies

Buell Early Childhood Leadership Institute

RRCC Intro to Childcare Development Specialist

Experience Requirements:

Twelve (12) months (1,820 hours) of satisfactory experience

Child Growth and Development Vocational/occupational sequence and 1820 hours experience (1 year)

Emily Griffith
Pickens Tech

4 three credit hours in ECE AND 1395 hours experience (9 months)

Associates Degree in ECE with 910 hours experience (6 months)

Any Bachelor’s Degree with 910 hours experience (6 months)

With (2) three-hour Early Childhood Education courses (including either Intro to Early Childhood Education or Guidance  Strategies)

OR

Certificates in: Pyramid Plus and Expanding Quality in Infant and Toddler Care (EQIT)

All it takes is a note in the course description.

Bachelor’s Degree (Specific)
(*Regionally accredited Grades C or higher)

Early Childhood Education (ECE)
Elementary Education
Special Education
Family and Child Development
Child Psychology

Anyone can pursue a CDA.

Once accomplished, you will be qualified as an early childhood teacher or can open a large licensed home.

Training Requirements (120 Hours)
Experience (480 Hours)

Programs that are open to volunteers
Licensing rules for volunteers
Link to job board/centers/substitute care agencies that will pay interns

Portfolio

How to Video

Test

Observation

Cost/Funding Support

Where you combine your education/experience and professional development.

Credential Worksheets

Expanding Quality in Infant/Toddler Care (EQIT)/PYRAMID PLUS AND 3640 hours (2 years)
(Link to Training section to these specific classes)

Level I Credential and 3640 hours (2 years)
(Link to CCEI training registration)

Montessori Training
International AMI
Delta Montrose Tech Center
Buell EC Leadership Institute
Clayton Institute/University of Colorado @ Denver
Stanley British Primary School/University of Colorado @ Denver

APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM – Child Care Development Specialist Apprenticeship Program (2 year commitment)

Up to 306 Hours of Education
Up to 4000 hours of on the job learning

GRAPHIC

Link to rrcc.edu

Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education

Master’s Degree w/major specific emphasis

Child Development
Early Childhood Education
Early Childhood Special Education

Specific Courses at 2 yr/4yr/or master’s level

Introduction to Early Childhood Professions
Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Technique
Early Childhood Guidance Strategies for Children
Early Childhood Health, Nutrition, and Safety
Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
Administration:  Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions OR
Introduction to Business; Early Childhood Curriculum Development
Early Childhood Growth and Development
The Exceptional Child; and
Infant/Toddler Theory and Practice; OR The Department Approved EQIT training

Level III = Small Center Director

Level IV = Large Center Director

*Only half of hours worked in a Family Child Care Home Count towards a Director Credential.