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Early Learning: Resources for Early Childhood Educators

Early childhood educators include professionals working as teachers, assistant teachers, home providers, expanded home providers, associate home providers and child development center directors in child development facilities licensed by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), as well as teachers, assistant teachers and aides working with students enrolled in pre-K 3 and pre-K 4 in District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and public charter schools. In order for DC children to access high-quality early childhood programs and start school prepared to thrive, early childhood educators need resources to advance their professional knowledge and build thriving careers. OSSE supports early childhood educators by:

  • Offering free programs and scholarship opportunities to earn credentials and degrees;
  • Providing one-on-one technical assistance to answer questions, connect to resources and verify credentials;
  • Offering free professional development trainings and courses;
  • Administering the Early Childhood Educator pay Equity Fund, which helps child care employers increase pay for eligible early childhood educators; and
  • Identifying career opportunities.

Information on these supports is available below.

Minimum Education Requirements for Child Care Educators

OSSE’s child care licensing regulations require early childhood educators working in OSSE-licensed child development facilities to meet minimum education requirements based on their position. Click the links below for more information about the pathways through which an early childhood educator can meet the requirement for each position.

Information on teacher licensing requirements for early childhood educators working in DCPS can be found on OSSE’s Division of Teaching and Learning (TAL) educator credentialing and certification webpage.

Credential and Scholarships Programs

OSSE offers support for DC early childhood educators to meet the minimum education requirements set in OSSE’s child care licensing regulations. OSSE funds three programs that support current and prospective early childhood educators to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) at no cost. Click the links below for more information on free CDA programs from OSSE.

OSSE also funds scholarships for DC early childhood educators to pursue postsecondary education to earn an associate or bachelor’s degree. Click the links below for more information on scholarship programs offered by OSSE.

Early childhood educators can also access financial assistance through colleges and universities, such as University of the District of Columbia, Trinity Washington University; federal student aid programs, such as Federal Pell Grants and student loans, which can be accessed by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); and private and philanthropic sources, such as the Advancing Early Education Collaborative.

One-on-One Support

The ECE Help Desk is a free resource available to all DC early childhood educators. The ECE Help Desk can help answer questions about the minimum education requirements, connect educators to available resources and offer individualized assistance. The ECE Help Desk can also review academic transcripts to verify credits earned and/or needed. Support is available in multiple languages. Use the contact information below to connect with the ECE Help Desk.

Professional Development Opportunities

OSSE offers DC early childhood educators access to a range of professional development trainings and courses at no cost. Professional development offerings provide opportunities for early childhood educators to meet licensing requirements related to health and safety training and gain additional knowledge and skills to deliver high-quality learning experiences for young children. Click the links below for more information on professional development opportunities from OSSE.

Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund

OSSE administers the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund, a program that supports child care employers to increase compensation for eligible early childhood educators. Employers who participate in the program must pay eligible early childhood educators wages or salaries that meet or exceed minimums established by OSSE, unless they have a waiver. Employers are required to pay eligible early childhood educators at least the minimum salary aligned to their position via their regular paycheck. Click the links below for more information on the Early Childhood Educator Pay Equity Fund.

Careers in Child Care

Interested in a career in early childhood education in DC? DC Child Care Connections (DC CCC), the District’s Child Care Resources and Referral (CCR&R) system funded by OSSE, maintains a listing of career opportunities at licensed child development facilities in DC. Early childhood educators can also contact DC CCC for support identifying career opportunities. Use the contact information below to connect with DC CCC.

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