We now offer the Early Childhood Educator & Child Care Development Specialist Credentials
The Early Childhood Educator (ECE) and the Child Care Development Specialist (CCDS) Apprenticeship are designed to prepare today’s childcare professionals for excellence in the classroom. These programs combine on-the-job training with specialized coursework, allowing teachers to earn while they learn.
Through hands-on practice and guided instruction, participants build skills in:
Creating safe, healthy, and nurturing learning environments
Supporting children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development
Partnering with families and communities
Mastering curriculum planning and classroom management
Successful completion of either pathway leads directly to the Child Care Apprenticeship Certificate (CCAC), a nationally recognized credential that validates the apprentice’s knowledge, skills, and professional growth. The CCAC is a career milestone that not only strengthens the individual educator’s career trajectory but also enhances the quality and reputation of the childcare center.
🎓 TEACH Scholarship – Making Credentials FREE
The T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Scholarship Program is a statewide scholarship that covers tuition, books, and training costs for early childhood professionals. Through PCTN’s partnership with TEACH, apprentices can complete the Early Childhood Educator, Child Care Development Specialist, and ultimately the CCAC credential at no personal cost, plus earn a $1500.00 bonus.
Highlights include:
Tuition assistance for required courses
Paid release time so apprentices can attend classes without losing wages
Completion bonuses for finishing coursework successfully ($1500.00)
Job Retention, Workforce Ready, and Leadership skills built.
By enrolling in PCTN’s apprenticeship programs, educators gain professional credentials at no cost, while childcare centers benefit from highly trained staff, better retention, and improved quality ratings.
CDA Credential
The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education (ECE), serving as a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement in the field. 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® Benefits
Earning your CDA is a significant commitment, but one that yields confident practitioners with a strong command of today’s best practices for teaching 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
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 one of your local Authorized Pearson VUE testing sites. It is the candidate’s responsibility to schedule the exam after applying for and receiving the Ready to Schedule Notice from the Council.
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.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) course provides early childhood professionals with educational content knowledge that serves as a preparational guideline and as a resource tool that support theories and experimental investigations upon entering the field of early childhood education, child development, and childcare. This course provides early childhood professionals with informative instructional knowledge and theories by relating materials to early childhood education. Prosperity CTN does not certify students to become certified childcare teachers nor awards students a Child Development Associate. This course provides the first 120 clock hours for the candidate’s CDA process. The determination and awarding of CDA certification are awarded through the Council For Professional Recognition (CDA Council).
Certified Nurse Assistant Course
This course teaches the student foundational knowledge of theory and laboratory experiences to develop skills required to qualify as a long-term Nursing Assistant/Home Health Aide. Emphasis is placed on acquiring competence in communication, observation, safety, body/mobility mechanics, personal and restorative care for clients/patients/residents of all ages.
Upon completing this course, the student will be able to apply concepts and skills in areas required by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) and the National Association of Home Care. (Workbook) This course outlines the knowledge and skills needed to perform basic nursing care safely and efficiently in various supervised health care settings. Emphasis is placed on safety, therapeutic communication, infection control, critical thinking, and proper documentation. Upon completing this course, the student will demonstrate beginning competency in delivering care to clients, patients, and residents in various health care settings.
