early childhood education certification

• Best Early Childhood Education Certificates Online

Best Early Childhood Education Certificates Online Of 2024

Published: Apr 16, 2024, 3:29pm

Early childhood education professionals help children develop a love for learning from a young age. Specializing in ages ranging from birth to age 8, early childhood professionals focus on child development and growth, creating effective learning environments, and developing relationships with children and families.

An online early childhood education certificate can help you get the specialized knowledge and credentials you need to enter this field for the first time. It can also open the door to new career opportunities if you’re already an early childhood educator. Earning this certificate online provides flexibility and convenience for working professionals or anyone else who needs to balance school with other responsibilities.

Explore the best early childhood education certificate online programs and learn how to find the right option for you.

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Our Methodology

We ranked 21 accredited, nonprofit colleges offering online undergraduate certificates in early childhood education in the U.S. using 12 data points in the categories of credibility, affordability, student outcomes and student experience. We pulled data for these categories from reliable resources such as the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System ; private, third-party data sources; and individual school and program websites. Data is accurate as of February 2024.

We scored schools based on the following metrics:

Student Outcomes:

• Graduation rate within eight years of normal time
• Pell Grant recipient graduation rate
• Retention rate
• Pell Grant graduation rate vs. overall graduation rate
• Ability to transfer certificate credits to a degree program

Student Experience:

• Student-to-faculty ratio
• Socioeconomic diversity
• Program’s coursework (excluding student orientations, field experiences and labs) is available 100% online
• Proportion of undergraduate students enrolled in at least some distance learning courses

Credibility:

• Fully accredited
• Nonprofit status

Affordability:

• Per-credit tuition rate

We chose the 10 best schools to display based on those receiving a curved final score of 93% or higher.

Find our full list of methodologies here .

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Degree Finder

Best early childhood education certificate options, should you enroll in an online certificate in early childhood education program, accreditation for early childhood education certificates online, how to find the right online early childhood education certificate for you, frequently asked questions (faqs) about early childhood education certificates online, west virginia university, portland state university, ball state university, national university, university of alaska fairbanks, fisher college, liberty university, wiregrass georgia technical college, great basin college, brunswick community college, featured online schools.

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Best for students with busy schedules

Certificate Tuition

$451/credit

Time Commitment

Can Certificate Credits Transfer to a Degree?

West Virginia University ‘s online, asynchronous early childhood development undergraduate certificate offers the flexibility you need to pursue your education while working full time. You can learn techniques for working with babies and toddlers in places like preschools, social service agencies and healthcare settings.

The two-year, 15-credit certificate requires five courses exploring subjects like families across the lifespan and best practices in pre-K movement. You must complete a child development practicum and a professional experience course to graduate. You can apply the credits earned through this certificate to the school’s child development and family studies bachelor’s degree.

• School Type: Public
• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma, minimum 2.0 GPA
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 15 credits
• Example Courses: Development in early and middle childhood, professional field experience
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: N/A
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, field experiences required

Best for students interested in equity and inclusion

Less than one year

Portland State University ‘s non-licensure early childhood education certificate focuses on inclusive education for children from infancy through age 8. The curriculum takes an anti-bias and inquiry-based approach. The 12-credit certificate takes less than one year to finish. Fully online, asynchronous courses are accessible to full-time working professionals.

You can take your courses in any order, and classes start each quarter. The interdisciplinary program aligns with National Association for the Education of Young Children standards and emphasizes research-based best practices. You can choose from various topic areas, including early childhood wellbeing, guiding young children and Indigenous first steps.

• Certificate Prerequisites: N/A
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 12 credits
• Example Courses: Documenting young children’s learning, teaching and learning with competent infants and toddlers
• In-Person Requirements: No

Best for current early childcare employees

$336/credit

Designed for working professionals, Ball State Online ‘s undergraduate certificate with an infant and toddler specialization can help you meet the requirements for teaching in federal Early Head Start programs. If you work in an Indiana childcare program, you may qualify for a TEACH scholarship.

The fully online program requires an online portfolio that highlights your knowledge of social-emotional development in children from birth through age 3. The curriculum aligns with the Indiana Core Knowledge and Competencies and the competencies you need to earn endorsements in Infant Family Associate (Category I), Infant Mental Health Endorsement (IMH-E)® or Infant Family Specialist (Category II).

• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 18 credits
• Example Courses: Child and family wellness, internship in child development
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Minimum C grade in all required courses

Best for graduating quickly

$370/credit

Eight months

National University ‘s early childhood education foundations certificate explores the cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development of young children. Classes cover subjects like diversity in education; interpersonal communication; ethical and legal issues; and health, nutrition and safety.

Students learn to communicate effectively with children and families, understand professional standards and create supportive learning environments for young children. The certificate consists of eight courses and is the first of five stackable certificates that can lead to a B.A. in early childhood education at National University. The school developed the pathway to the B.A. in partnership with the National Head Start Agency.

• School Type: Private
• Certificate Prerequisites: ACCUPLACER math and English test scores, high school diploma or its equivalent
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 36 quarter hours
• Example Courses: Early cognition, trauma-informed practice

Best for immersive learning

$234/credit

The University of Alaska Fairbanks ‘s eCampus offers an online early childhood education certificate that focuses on children up to age 8 and costs an estimated $10,460 in total tuition. The program explores child development, social and emotional development, and healthy learning environments.

While earning the certificate, you’ll get to observe children and assess their development, take field trips (virtual or in person), and create developmentally appropriate learning activities for children. You can earn transfer credit for your Child Development Associate Credential™. The school also offers an online associate degree in early childhood education for students who want to go more in-depth in this field.

• Certificate Prerequisites: ACT (preferred), SAT, ACCUPLACER or ASSET test results; must be 18 years old or hold a high school diploma or GED certificate
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 34 credits
• Example Courses: Early childhood professionalism; safe, healthy learning environments
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Must earn a C- or better in each course
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, student teaching required

Best for early childhood professionals on a budget

$4,992/module (full-time), $2,496/module (part-time)

Fisher College ‘s online early childhood education certificate prepares you to immediately enter the early childhood education field or transfer to the school’s early childhood associate degree program. The curriculum explores subjects like supervision and mentoring in early childhood education, behavior strategies, and health and safety. You can choose a focus in preschool, infant and toddler, or family childcare.

This is a non-licensure program designed to meet certification requirements for early childhood education in all states. Certificate holders meet the requirements of all six early childhood education certifications in Massachusetts, including preschool lead teacher and director I and II.

The program offers discounted tuition of just $500 per class for early childhood professionals, making the estimated cost of the certificate $4,500.

• Certificate Credit Requirements: 30 credits
• Example Courses: Program administration for early childhood, children with special needs

Best for beginners

$390/credit

You can earn an undergraduate certificate in preschool teacher certification from Liberty University . The one-year program prepares you to become a preschool teacher, offers eight-week courses and accepts transfer credits for up to 75% of the total certificate. It provides flexibility and doesn’t require any in-person attendance, making the certificate accessible to working professionals, parents and faraway students.

The curriculum covers classroom management and individualized instruction for preschoolers. Classes explore learning theory, education philosophy and principles of education. Students complete portfolios as well. The program includes all required textbooks at no additional cost. The certificate can transfer towards an associate or bachelor’s degree at Liberty University.

• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate
• Example Courses: Wellness in the early childhood setting, classroom management for teachers
• Certificate Graduation Requirements: Minimum overall 2.0 GPA, a grade of C or higher in each class

Best with no prerequisites

$100/credit

Wiregrass Georgia Technical College offers an online GaTAPP early childhood education precertification technical certificate of credit program for prospective educators. The certificate includes the state-mandated training required to become a certified elementary teacher in Georgia. You must be at least 18 years old to qualify for the program.

The 27-credit curriculum covers brain development, behavior management, early learning foundations and creative activities for children. Other topics include math and science; curriculum and assessment; and health, safety and nutrition. Wiregrass Georgia Technical College also offers a bachelor’s degree and a diploma in early childhood care and education.

• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or GED certificate, standardized test scores
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 27 credits
• Example Courses: Social issues and family involvement, curriculum and assessment

Best for career-switchers

$123/credit

Great Basin College ‘s one-year, online early childhood education certificate of achievement program covers child development, curriculum development and assessment, and child assessment. Other topics include community and family relationships and cross-cultural awareness. In addition to coursework, students complete a six-credit early childhood practicum that provides real-world experience.

The program can help you learn to use positive guidance techniques with children, create high-quality classroom environments and develop effective leadership techniques. Graduates can apply for teaching, assistant teaching and director jobs in preschools and childcare centers. Great Basin College also offers a non-licensure B.A. in early childhood education.

• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent or be at least 18 years old
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 33.5 credits
• Example Courses: Early language and literacy development, the exceptional child
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, requires a practicum

Best for students on a budget

Two semesters

Brunswick Community College offers an online early childhood education certificate program that prepares you to work with children from birth through age 8. It can also be the first step in transferring to an education diploma or degree program at Brunswick Community College.

The curriculum includes in-person supervised experiences working with young children and classes that explore child development, health and nutrition, and community and family relationships. You’ll learn to evaluate and create curriculums, build relationships with young children and create effective learning environments. You can graduate in two semesters if you take three courses in one term and two in the other.

• Certificate Prerequisites: High school diploma or its equivalent, must be at least 18 years old and a U.S. resident
• Certificate Credit Requirements: 16 credits
• Example Courses: Child development I, child development II
• In-Person Requirements: Yes, for supervised experiences

Online college may be popular, but that doesn’t mean it’s the right choice for every student. Think about the questions below before deciding to enroll in an early childhood education online program .

• What can you afford? Online programs can sometimes offer cost savings to distance learners by eliminating expenses like on-campus housing and transportation. Plus, if you want to earn an online certificate from an out-of-state public school, you might be able to pay in-state tuition.
• Is the college accredited? Make sure that any school you consider is institutionally accredited by an agency recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education. Attending an accredited school is important for getting financial aid, transferring to another program or college, and qualifying for jobs and professional credentials.
• What’s your learning style? The online learning environment works best for highly motivated students who thrive on independence and can manage their time well. If you need a more structured environment or you rely on other people for motivation, an on-campus program might be a better fit for you.
• What type of schedule do you need? Many students choose online programs because they offer so much flexibility. Programs with asynchronous courses let you learn whenever and wherever you want, making it easier to work full time while earning your certificate.

When a college or university holds institutional accreditation , it indicates that the school underwent a rigorous evaluation by an independent accrediting agency and met minimum quality standards related to academics, faculty qualifications, and student support and services. Organizations that provide institutional accreditation must hold approval from the Council for Higher Education Accreditation or the U.S. Department of Education.

To qualify for federal student aid, you must attend an accredited school. Institutional accreditation also impacts your eligibility for credit transfers, graduate programs, professional credentials and employment.

Programmatic accreditation applies to specific programs or departments within a broader university. Depending on your field, a programmatically accredited degree can help you qualify for graduate programs, professional certifications and licenses, and some jobs.

The main programmatic accreditor for early childhood education degrees is the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Early childhood education certificate programs don’t earn accreditation, but some programs note that their curriculums were created in alignment with NAEYC standards. You can find programmatically accredited early childhood education associate and bachelor’s degrees on NAEYC’s list of accredited programs.

Consider Your Future Goals

An online certificate can help you develop the skills needed to launch a career in early childhood education , but it’s important to choose a certificate program that aligns with your career goals.

For example, find out whether your prospective early childhood education program requires a practicum, a student-teaching experience or an internship. If you haven’t worked with children before in a professional environment, these hands-on opportunities can help you gain practical experience before you graduate. This can be a big help when it’s time to land your first job.

However, practical experience requirements often take place in person and can be time-consuming. So if you already have relevant professional experience or want to graduate as quickly as possible, you might seek a more streamlined certificate program.

Also, if you plan to eventually earn a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education , prioritize certificate programs that allow you to transfer credits to more advanced degree programs.

Know Your Budget and Financing Options

Tuition rates for the online early childhood certificates we included in this list range from $76 to $451 per credit. The typical certificate requires 12 to 36 credits, bringing the total estimated cost between $912 and $16,236.

You can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid to apply for federal aid, which may include student loans, grants and scholarships. Only certificate programs at Title IV schools qualify for federal student aid. To find out if your prospective certificate program qualifies, search the Federal School Code List of Participating Schools .

Some colleges and departments also offer institutional aid, including scholarships and grants, directly to certificate-seeking students. Contact your prospective program directly to find out about funding options.

Is early childhood education the same as early childhood development?

Both fields involve helping and understanding young children, but they differ. Early childhood education professionals usually become teachers or childcare workers with the goal of helping young children learn by creating effective curriculums, relationships and environments. Early childhood development focuses on the physical, cognitive, and social-emotional growth and development of young children. Career options in this field tend to be more broad.

How does early childhood education differ from elementary education?

There can be some overlap between the two fields, but early childhood education covers children from birth up to age 8 with a focus on child development, social-emotional learning, and language and literacy. Elementary education , on the other hand, encompasses kindergarten through around grade five and primarily emphasizes academic skills.

Liz Simmons has been writing for various online publications about career development, higher education and college affordability for nearly a decade. Her articles demystify the college application process and help prospective students figure out how to choose a major or career path.

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The Early Childhood Credential: Online Certificate Option

If you are a firm believer in the value of a strong educational foundation and have a passion to teach young learners, pursuing early childhood education credentials will enable you to find the best child-focused career path for working in a classroom, an early learning center, or within an institutional setting.

What is the Early Childhood Credential?

The early childhood education online certificate at National University focuses on four courses that meet the guidelines and competencies established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Standards for Initial and Advanced Early Childhood Professional Preparation Programs .

As the world’s largest organization representing early childhood education professionals, the NAEYC sets the professional bar for high-quality programs for young children. If you are interested in the early childhood education career path, you should look for a program that follows the NAEYC guidelines, as employers with this accreditation will want to know you have the skills that align with their standards. National University’s early childhood education courses online are taught with a strong focus on these competencies.

The four classes in the California early childhood online certificate at National University give you 18 quarter units and focus on these NAEYC standards: growing as a professional, promoting child development and learning, teaching and learning, and building family and community relationships.

Career Paths with an Early Childhood Education Credential

With certification in early childhood education, your career options can extend beyond a classroom. Potential employers include state and federal agencies, hospitals, counseling and rehabilitation facilities, parks and recreation agencies, community service agencies, childcare centers, and even health service agencies.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook (BLS OOH), job growth for preschool teachers is expected to grow 10% between 2016 and 2026.  The median pay for these positions is about $29,000 per year nationally and $36,760 in California.

For other options for using early childhood credentials, the BLS reports the median annual salary for child welfare and childcare workers at  $22,000 per year nationally and $27,670 in California. The BLS puts the annual median pay for kindergarten and elementary school teachers at about $57,000 nationally; the median salary of kindergarten and elementary school teachers in California ranges from $66,000 to almost $78,000 annually. According to the BLS, median salaries for preschool and childcare center directors average about $47,000 per year nationally, $57,330 in California. Many of these positions do require educational credentials and licensure beyond a certificate in early childhood education.

Other job titles for individuals with credentials in early childhood education include early intervention specialist, teaching assistant, mental health worker, social worker, personal care aid, or youth group worker, to name a few. There is always a need for highly-qualified early childhood teachers in child care centers, preschools, and elementary schools, and attaining a CA early childhood online credential can open doors for you to a variety of opportunities within your community.

Successful completion of the early childhood education online graduate certificate helps you meet the requirements of the State of California Child Development Permit Matrix to teach in a preschool setting; it does not confer a teaching license or credential. You can use the early childhood certificate to get you started on a teaching career and use it as a stepping stone for pursuing further educational credentials as you discover new opportunities where you can work with children.

If you live outside of California or are in the service, the Department of Education in the state you expect to be employed is your best resource for confirming the requirements and specific credentials, permits, and licenses needed for employment. You should research this information carefully before enrolling in any educational program.

The National Option

For adults whose lives are already busy with obligations, finding time to dedicate to pursuing more education can be a challenge. Early childhood education courses online that have rolling enrollment and flexible start dates can help you achieve your goal without severely impacting your ability to manage other responsibilities. And finding the right certification can be as easy as looking at National University’s online options.

The flexibility and format of the program at National University means that you can live anywhere and enroll in the online certificate. National University keeps its online class sizes small, at 20 or fewer students, allowing for a virtual classroom experience with plenty of time for instructor feedback and interaction with fellow online students. With classes beginning monthly, there is a great chance that when you want a course you can find one that fits your schedule.

If you are interested in embarking on a career in education that helps children gain the strong learning foundation they need, start your journey by visiting our website to find out more about the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education (BAECE) .

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Earn your Early Childhood Education certificate online

Helping shape young minds is the kind of challenging, yet rewarding career that requires both compassion and discipline. Earn your Early Childhood Education certificate online and gain an understanding of what it takes to work with children—from curriculum development to health, safety, and nutrition. Upon graduation, you’ll be able to apply your studies to the 120 hours of professional education you need to earn your Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™.

Our Undergraduate Certificate in Early Childhood Education is further set apart by its flexibility. You’ll have the opportunity to set your own pace and fit your studies in alongside your existing obligations. With online classes, you can complete the one-semester program from anywhere and choose to proceed to an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education right away.

Early Childhood Education Certificate Curriculum

Our online Early Childhood Education Undergraduate Certificate curriculum is designed to help you prepare to build the foundation for a rewarding career working with children. You’ll cover topics that are essential to working in a daycare or preschool, such as:

• Careers in Early Childhood Education
• Child Development
• Curriculum Development

Learn more about curriculum, tuition, and enrollment requirements

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What you get

• 120 hours of professional education to apply to your CDA Credential™
• Textbook and/or comprehensive online resources and assessments
• Credits which can be applied toward the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education
• The freedom to complete courses at your own speed with self-paced lessons

average salary

Job opportunities

As a childcare worker, you could find jobs in preschools, daycares, and more! The average salary for childcare workers in 2022 was $28,520 † , though how much you can make can vary based on experience, education, certification, and even where you live.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Help guide children as they learn and navigate cultural diversity, creative expression, literacy, and more.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

Start with the basics of child development and education and discover where your ECE career can take you.

CONVENIENT ONLINE LEARNING

Fit studies into your life and put credit earned toward an Associate Degree and/or industry credentials.

Frequently asked questions

You may be taking your first steps into higher education. Or you may be considering online study for the first time. Whatever your situation, we’re here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you have.

Earning a child care certificate online makes sense for busy people who are ready for college-level study and want the convenience of learning from home. Your ECE certificate online will give you a solid foundation in subject matter that is useful for many satisfying careers.

Yes! Every student at Ashworth College gains access to the Ashworth College Central Network , an online toolkit that helps you work through resume templates, cover letters, thank you letters, and more. Use the career tools as much as you like to prepare professional documents for your job search. Once you’ve graduated, you can come back to the Ashworth College Central Network at any time.

We allow you up to one year from the date of your enrollment to earn your Early Childhood Education certificate online. A self-paced, flexible study schedule is one of the many benefits of pursuing your education at Ashworth College.

Related programs

Earning a childcare certificate online is one way to take your career to the next level. If you’re interested in a different career path, we have a number of other Undergraduate Certificates including:

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State requirements

A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.

NOTE: This program is not intended to lead to teacher certification.

† Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, " Childcare Workers ". Accessed December 12, 2023.

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About the CDA®

Learn more about the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ .

Recognized Worldwide

The Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), and it is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in ECE. The CDA® is based on a core set of competency standards that guide early childhood professionals toward becoming qualified educators of young children. The Council works to ensure that the nationally transferable CDA is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of professional development.

CDA® Advantage

CDAs have knowledge of how to put the CDA Competency Standards into practice and an understanding of why those standards help children move with success from one developmental stage to another. Put simply, CDAs know how to nurture the emotional, physical, intellectual, and social development of children. Earning the CDA Credential has many advantages, including exposure to the larger community of early childhood educators. More than 800,000 CDA credentials have been issued to date, with approximately 40,000 initial and renewal CDAs annually.

CDA® Benefits

Becoming a CDA is a big commitment, but one that creates confident practitioners with a command of today’s best practices for teaching very young children.

• Advance your career
• Meet job requirements
• Reinforce your commitment to early childhood education
• Provide parents with peace of mind
• Understand developmentally appropriate practice
• Increase your confidence

CDA® Assessment

The assessment process is made up of two components: the CDA Exam and Verification Visit. The Council uses the results of both to make a credentialing decision.

The CDA® Exam

The CDA Exam is a component of the credentialing process. The exam is a 65-question, computer-based exam that is taken at a local Pearson VUE testing site. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule the exam after applying for and receiving the Ready to Schedule Notice from the Council.

The CDA Exam questions will test the candidate’s knowledge of basic early childhood best practices based on the CDA Competency Goals and the thirteen Functional Areas. Once the exam is completed, the scores are sent to the Council electronically.

Click the link under Additional Information if you require special accommodations for the exam.

CDA Verification Visit®

The Verification Visit is a component of the CDA credentialing process, where the candidate will be observed working with children/families as a lead teacher in a specific age group. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule the visit after applying for and receiving the Ready to Schedule Notice from the Council.

During the visit, the Council-approved, CDA Professional Development (PD) Specialist™ will go to the candidate’s place of work and review the candidate’s Professional Portfolio, observe the candidate working with children/families, and conduct a reflective dialogue about the candidate’s strengths and areas of growth. The PD Specialist will submit the evaluation and scores electronically to the Council.

Additional Information

Learn About CDA Settings and Requirements

Learn About CDA Renewal

Find CDA Training

Find CDA Scholarships

Elisa Shepherd

Vice President of Strategic Alliances

Elisa Shepherd is the Vice President of Strategic Alliances at the Council, where she leads initiatives to advance the Council’s mission and strategic plan through designing, managing, and executing a comprehensive stakeholder relationship strategy.

With over 25 years of experience in early childhood education (ECE), Elisa has dedicated her career to developing impactful programs, professional development opportunities, and public policies that support working families, young children, and ECE staff. Before joining the Council, Elisa held numerous roles within the childcare industry. Most recently, she served as Associate Vice President at The Learning Experience and as Senior Manager at KinderCare Education, where she influenced government affairs and public policies across 40 states.

Elisa’s commitment to leadership is reflected in her external roles on the Early Care and Education Consortium Board of Directors, the Florida Chamber Foundation Board of Trustees, and as the DEI Caucus Leader for KinderCare Education. She has been recognized as an Emerging Leader in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative.

Elisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology with a focus on child development from Pennsylvania State University in State College, PA.

Usma Mohamed, Ed.D

Vice President of Brand Experience and Marketing

Usma Mohamed, Ed.D, serves as the Vice President of Brand Experience and Marketing at the Council. In this role, she spearheads the organization’s strategic brand and marketing initiatives, ensuring the integrity of the brand, communication strategies, and market positioning. With a passion for advocating high-quality early childhood education, Usma leads a cross functional dynamic team dedicated to serving the community.

With over 15 years of experience in branding and marketing, Usma has worked across commercial and international not-for-profit sectors. Prior to her tenure at the Council, she held the position of Global Head of Marketing and Communications at the International Baccalaureate (IB), a prominent global education nonprofit. Her expertise extends to leading international change management endeavors, multilingual branding campaigns, and speaking engagements at conferences and events, including the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

Usma’s academic achievements include a Doctor of Education, a Master’s in Nonprofit and Association Management, a Bachelor of Science in Marketing Management, and advanced-level education from the U.K.

Andrew Davis

Chief Operations Officer (COO)

Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.

Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.

Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.

Janice Bigelow

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.

Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.

Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.

Dr. Calvin Moore, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Calvin E. Moore, Jr., an accomplished leader in early childhood education, was appointed CEO of the Council for Professional Recognition in May 2020. He’s the Council’s first CEO to hold its early education credential, the Child Development Associate® (CDA), and a former member of the Council’s governing board. Dr. Moore holds a BS degree in early childhood education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, a MS in Education degree, and a PhD in Early Childhood Education from Walden University.

Dr. Moore learned the value of early care and education when he participated in Head Start as a child. He also has vast professional Head Start experience, having served in large and small, urban and rural, center-based and family child care-based programs, as well as programs focused mainly on Hispanic families.

Throughout his career, Dr. Moore has held senior roles directing complex federal and state departments that improve outcomes for underserved children and families. Most recently, Dr. Moore was the regional program manager in Atlanta for the Office of Head Start within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. His responsibilities included providing oversight, monitoring, training and technical assistance to over 350 Head Start and Early Head Start grantees with a portfolio of over $1.6 billion.

Prior to joining ACF, he held several other high-profile positions. He was a senior technical analyst for ICF International and a federal contractor for the Office of Child Care within ACF. He also served as the child care administrator for the Alabama Department of Human Resources, where he was responsible for overseeing child care licensing, child care subsidy program, Early Head Start–Child Care Partnership, quality initiatives, training and technical assistance projects. Earlier Dr. Moore served as deputy director of the Office of Child Care in the ACF, where he supported low-income families by providing access to affordable, high-quality early care and afterschool programs.

He’s the author of The Thinking Book Curriculum: For Early Childhood Professionals , Men Do Stay: Recruiting and Retaining Qualified Male Early Childhood Teachers and many other books. Dr. Moore has received a literary award from AIM and New Light Ministries for his book, Agape Declarations , the Maria Otto Award for Leadership from the National Family Child Care Association and the Billy McCain, Sr., Memorial Award from the Alabama Head Start Association.

Janie Payne

Vice President of People and Culture

Janie Payne is the Vice President of People and Culture for the Council for Professional Recognition. Janie is responsible for envisioning, developing, and executing initiatives that strategically manage talent and culture to align people strategies with the overarching business vision of the Council. Janie is responsible for driving organizational excellence through strategic talent practices, orchestrating workforce planning, talent acquisition, performance management as well as a myriad of other Human Resources Programs.  She is accountable for driving effectiveness by shaping organizational structure for optimal efficiency. Janie oversees strategies that foster a healthy culture to include embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion into all aspects of the organization.

In Janie’s prior role, she was the Vice President of Administration at Equal Justice Works, where she was responsible for leading human resources, financial operations, facilities management, and information technology. She was also accountable for developing and implementing Equal Justice Works Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategy focused on attracting diverse, mission-oriented talent and creating an inclusive and equitable workplace environment. With more than fifteen years of private, federal, and not-for-profit experience, Janie is known for her intuitive skill in administration management, human resources management, designing and leading complex system change, diversity and inclusion, and social justice reform efforts.

Before joining Equal Justice Works, Janie was the Vice President of Human Resources and Chief Diversity Officer for Global Communities, where she was responsible for the design, implementation, and management of integrated HR and diversity strategies. Her work impacted employees in over twenty-two countries. She was responsible for the effective management of different cultural, legal, regulatory, and economic systems for both domestic and international employees. Prior to Global Communities, Janie enjoyed a ten-year career with the federal government. As a member of the Senior Executive Service, she held key strategic human resources positions with multiple cabinet-level agencies and served as an advisor and senior coach to leaders across the federal sector. In these roles, she received recognition from management, industry publications, peers, and staff for driving the creation and execution of programs that created an engaged and productive workforce.

Janie began her career with Verizon Communications (formerly Bell Atlantic), where she held numerous roles of increasing responsibility, where she directed a diversity program that resulted in significant improvement in diversity profile measures. Janie was also a faculty member for the company’s Black Managers Workshop, a training program designed to provide managers of color with the skills needed to overcome barriers to their success that were encountered because of race. She initiated a company-wide effort to establish team-based systems and structures to impact corporate bottom line results which was recognized by the Department of Labor. Janie was one of the first African American women to be featured on the cover of Human Resources Executive magazine.

Janie received her M.A. in Organization Development from American University. She holds numerous professional development certificates in Human Capital Management and Change Management, including a Diversity and Inclusion in Human Resources certificate from Cornell University. She completed the year-long Maryland Equity and Inclusion Leadership Program sponsored by The Schaefer Center for Public Policy and The Maryland Commission on Civil Rights. She is a trained mediator and Certified Professional Coach. She is a graduate of Leadership America, former board chair of the NTL Institute and currently co-steward of the organization’s social justice community of practice, and a member of The Society for Human Resource Management. Additionally, Janie is the Board Chairperson for the Special Education Citizens Advisory Council for Prince Georges County where she is active in developing partnerships that facilitate discussion between parents, families, educators, community leaders, and the PG County school administration to enhance services for students with disabilities which is her passion. She and her husband Randolph reside in Fort Washington Maryland.

Abena Ocran-Jackson

Vice President of Progams

Abena Ocran-Jackson is the Council’s Vice President of Programs. She has over 25 years working in the early care and education field. At the Council, she is responsible for the effective management of all aspects of the Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential™ including, CDA Academy, CDA Credentialing, Council Alumni Network, Early Educators Leadership Conference, Institutions of Higher Education; CDA Implementation – Learning Management System; Multilingual/Special Populations and Training and Development – Professional Development/Gold Standard Specialists.

Before joining the Council, Abena has held various roles, from preschool teacher, senior director of NAEYC’s Early Learning Program Accreditation, and director of teacher preparation with KinderCare Education.

She has been named one of the Exceptional Leaders in Early Childhood by Childcare Exchange’s Leadership Initiative. She is also recognized as a credentialing specialist by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence and is currently an Equity Leaders Action Network (ELAN) fellow with the BUILD Initiative.

Her academic credentials include a Bachelor’s in Human Development from Howard University and holds a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Trinity Washington University.

Vice President of Information Technology

José Porro, Vice President of Information Technology, comes to the Council with over 30 years of IT background working across multiple industries with a focus on IT, having progressed through all areas, including Programming, Analysis, Design, Testing, Networking, Security, Architecture, and Leadership.

Vice President of Quality Assurance and Research

Beth Heeb oversees quality assurance, compliance, research, innovations, customer support, business relations, corporate strategy, and special projects. Beth is responsible for designing and implementing systems and optimizing processes that increase the productivity of the work in these areas, and making sure programs and services stay aligned with the Councils’ vision, mission, and goals. She ensures that effective and efficient processes and procedures are in place and are aligned with the Council’s values.

Beth has served in nonprofit executive leadership roles for the past 15 years. She has extensive experience in the early childhood education field, including administration of quality rating systems, childcare subsidy programs, and high-quality early learning programs.

Prior to joining the Council, Beth served as the Chief Operating Officer at YWCA Greater Pittsburgh, where she led departments with operating budgets exceeding $65 million and a staff of 140 individuals. Programs under Beth’s leadership served tens of thousands of women, children, and families annually. Beth has also served as the executive director of the Consumer Health Coalition, a Pittsburgh based nonprofit dedicated to ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to quality, affordable health care, and as Executive Director of Schiller Park Community Services a multi-site community-based organization in Buffalo, New York.

Her academic credentials include a Master’s in Business Administration from Canisius College and is a Leadership Fellow of the Community Health Foundation of Western and Central New York. Additionally, Beth is recognized as a credentialing specialist by the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.

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Early Childhood Education Certificate

Jump to section, choosing an online early childhood education certificate, is an online certificate right for you, certificate program course topics, professional associations.

Note : This page provides information on earning an early childhood education certificate. For details on other degree levels, please see our early childhood education degree page.

A certificate in early childhood education will help lay the foundation for a career as a teacher working with young children. Certificate programs give students the chance to earn college credits without enrolling in a degree program. Early childhood education certificate programs usually include an integration of fundamental classes with specialty-focused electives. In a certificate program, students gain the skills and knowledge necessary to create a positive learning environments for young learners.

Online learning appeals to students who are on-the-go. Students can study, research, and participate in class from anywhere with internet access. Review the following questions to help choose the right online program for you:

Is the Program Accredited?

Accreditation is a validation process that colleges and universities go through to show a high level of quality education. This is very important when it comes time to select an online certification program. In short, accreditation is like a peer review process. Most curriculum is based on the national best standards established by the National Association for the Education of young Children (NAEYC). However, NAEYC does not accredit certificate programs, only programs that lead to associate, bachelor, or master's degrees. The criteria, however, ensures that students are given the best instruction to help them meet state and national requirements for early childhood education programs. To learn more about the accreditation process in the United States, visit: ed.gov/accreditation

How Long Has the Program Been Offered?

Knowing how long a program has been around may help you in choosing which online program is best for you. Keep in mind that online schooling is a newer mode of education. If a specific program has not been around for long, find out when the school was established.

What Technologies Will Be Used to Facilitate Online Learning?

In order to facilitate instruction, online teachers use open and online learning platforms. This technology, accessed easily through a website, acts as a virtual classroom. Each school has their own preference when it comes to online learning platforms, so it may be a good idea to know ahead of time.

What Resources Will I Have Access To?

Find out if you will be given access to online textbooks, comprehensive online resources, scholarly journals, and career guidance. Knowing the tools and resources students will have access to may help you choose the right online program for you.

What Skills and Topics Are Covered?

When considering an online certificate in early childhood education, you should assess the program goals to see if they are in line with your career goals. Program goals and outcomes will give you some insight as to what you will be learning over the course of the early childhood education certification program.

Do You Have Job Placement Information for Students Who Recently Graduated from the Program?

Alumni are wonderful role models for students who are thinking about joining an online certificate program. These are individuals who have recently completed the same program. They are often available to offer practical career support to the new students. If given the opportunity, don't be afraid to ask questions about the program and their career.

Today, many early childhood education certification programs are available online. Online programs offer more flexibility than traditional colleges and universities. Courses can be taken on a part-time or full-time basis, depending on the needs of the student. Online courses are developed with the adult student in mind. In other words, students can accommodate their tasks with work and family schedules. To learn more about online schooling, read below.

Variety of Programs

With online certificate programs, students have the option to choose a program regardless of geographic location. This opens up many opportunities for students who cannot relocate and for those who do not live near a college campus. With this route, students have an opportunity to choose a program based on program details, rather than settling on one based on location.

Program Curriculum

The goal of an early childhood education certificate program is to provide an organized curriculum in order to prepare students to work with young children. In reputable online programs, you should be able to find:

• Deadlines and and accountability markers. These are in place to help students stay up to pace. Rack. This may come in form of presentations, early education practicums, tests, quizzes, and reading assignments.
• Content delivered via online textbooks and lessons.
• Whole class chat rooms where students are required to communicate and share ideas.
• A final comprehensive exam, project, or portfolio

Flexible Schedule

Many students gravitate towards online certificate programs because of the flexible schedule. In online certificate programs, students can complete requirements at their own place. The online option does not require students to travel to and from school - making it possible to complete coursework whenever and wherever.

Tuition and Costs

When considering online certificate programs, you may realize the overall cost to be less than a similar program on campus. Consider the following:

• No costs having to do with with traveling to and from school, parking, or on-campus snacks.
• No financial allocation needed for relocating or living on campus.
• Online programs allow students to sustain a source of income.

Each program will from school to school. However, you can expect to see classes such as the following:

The Early Childhood Teacher

This class will examine the role of an early childhood teacher. Such courses will guide teacher candidates through recognizing personal strengths and weakness in order to develop a plan to support personal and professional growth.

Introduction to Teaching Young Children

With this course, you will study the history, philosophies, and theories associated with early childhood development. This class will often include field observations - meaning that students will have the opportunity to visit classrooms to see theories and practices in play.

The Young Child in the Community and Family

This class focuses on the relationship and dynamics between a young child and their surroundings (family, school, community). The class will help students analyze social and and cultural influences on a young child as they develop communication and life skills.

Attending conferences and joining professional associations is a good method of getting connected and networking with other professionals in the field of Early Childhood Education. For example, NAEYC's (National Association for the Education of Young Children) national conferences brings together early childhood educators to explore the latest research and learn from one another.

Graduate Program Online Early Childhood Certificate

• Program Details
• Info Sessions
• Admission Details

Degree Details

• Graduate Certificate (GC) Total Credits 12 Start Term Any Delivery Method Online

Learn more about our academic program delivery methods

Online Early Childhood Education Certificate of Completion Overview

The Online Early Childhood Education certificate of completion develops your practice as an early childhood professional with in-depth, research-based, and innovative professional practices. It is a unique, interdisciplinary, early childhood series and develops the strength and expertise needed to expand your knowledge of children, birth to eight years. Engage in early childhood courses reflecting an inquiry-based, constructivist approach to teaching and learning, framed by the pursuit of equity.

Complete 12 credits in less than a year fully online. Classes begin every quarter; take courses in any order. Open to degree and non-degree students, at graduate or undergraduate levels. Take courses that may be used as credit toward a bachelor’s or master’s degree or count towards your Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or required upper division credits on the Oregon Registry (Steps 9–10).

Program benefits:

• Enhance your knowledge and skills in working with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and young children through research-based practice
• Contemporary Issues in Early Childhood
• Equity and Inclusive Education
• Infants and Toddlers
• Inquiry Based Curriculum
• Leading in Early Childhood
• Trauma Informed Early Childhood
• Learn from experienced teachers who have scholarly expertise and advanced degrees—and do so fully online and at an accessible price

Online Early Childhood Education Certificate of Completion: Why PSU?

PSU’s individual support resources and real-world applications incorporate the needs of the whole person. This nurtures the strong convictions and confidence critical to academic success. PSU is also the public research university for the Portland metro area.

The Online Early Childhood Education certificate program draws on the practice of early childhood researchers and the educators at the PSU laboratory school, the Helen Gordon Child Development Center . We have an anti-bias and inquiry-based education focus.

Our program serves regional, national and international communities who are creative and engaged with colleagues outside Portland, Oregon, and the Pacific Northwest—with online learning, your work becomes part of a global collaboration. Our online classes have a strengths-based approach to learning with real-world applications. In coming together as a community of learners, you will share a deeper understanding of the topic with your classmates. We are passionate about early childhood education and are committed to supporting equity and inclusion in education.

What can I do with a certificate of completion in Online Early Childhood Education?

Earning the 12-credit certificate will guide and support you in your work with children, prenatal through age eight, and their families. Focus on the skills needed for your work as educators, parents, home visitors, administrators, and other early childhood professionals. Our graduates become better prepared in their roles as:

• Child care educators and teachers
• Family child care professionals
• Head Start and Early Head Start professionals
• Program directors and administrators
• Early intervention and special education specialists
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Accreditation

Empower your program's success! Equip your program with the tools to provide the best learning experiences for young children and provide the highest quality professional preparation of educators by meeting national standards of quality.

Interested in Accreditation? Watch this video to learn more!

Discover how to take charge of your Early Learning Program accreditation process.  Log in to the Early Learning Program Accreditation Portal!

Are you a researcher interested in accessing the data collected through either the Early Learning Program Accreditation System or the Early Childhood Higher Education Accreditation System? If so, visit our accreditation research database webpage for more information.

Two Levels, Endless Resources

Early learning programs.

Learn about the Early Learning Program Accreditation process and standards for ensuring high-quality experiences for children in early learning programs.

Early Learning Program Accreditation Portal

The portal is now live! Access your basic program records, add more data, and move through the accreditation process at your own pace.

Find an Accredited Early Learning Program

Are you looking for a high-quality program for your child? This is the place to start!

Higher Education Programs

Engage in one of our higher education accreditation or recognition systems and demonstrate your commitment to high-quality professional preparation.

Find an Accredited or Recognized Degree Program

Looking to advance your professional knowledge and skills? Use the filter option in NAEYC's degree directory to narrow your search to find accreditated or recognized programs.  

Latest accreditation news and updates:

Early Learning Program News

Summer 2017 Higher Education Accreditation Decisions

Playful Math Instruction in the Context of Standards and Accountability

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