What is an ECE certification?

Question

Zippia Team · Accepted Answer

An Early Childhood Education (ECE) certification in the teaching field proves an individual has skills in teaching, educational instruction for children ages three to eight, and the principles of child growth and development. The ECE certification is administered by the ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI).

This certification provides 180 hours of online professional development for early childhood teachers and other early childhood care professionals.

The online training program is made up of eight Instructional Units. These online courses for early childhood education units focus on the following:

The Principles of Child Growth and Development
Safe and Healthy Environments
Social and Emotional Development
Motor
Language
Cognitive Development
Principles of Assessment
Program Management
Relationships with families
Professionalism

Upon passing completion of this certification process, students should be able to do the following:

Identify important markers of physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development during the early childhood of students or toddlers
Detail the requirements for a safe and healthy educational or caregiving environment for young children
Display the ability to establish and maintain a safe and healthy educational or caregiving environment for young children
Utilize positive guidance methods that support proper emotional and social development in young children
Have proven ability to implement effective educational assessment methods in the early childhood education environment
Be able to identify elements of an appropriate curriculum concerning developmental abilities and overall academic setting for early childhood students
Use the appropriate strategies and techniques for building and maintaining positive and successful relationships with children and their families
Develop strategies to create and maintain a winning program operational method
Display the requirements for maintaining a commitment to academic professionalism and ethical conduct related to children and their families

Student assessments for this course involve the following assignments and exams:

Competency-based multiple-choice questions
Student-written essays with written feedback
Student activity and observations with written feedback
End-of-course quizzes in multiple-choice format
Formal Classroom Observation
Early Childhood Portfolio Review
Oral Interview
Cumulative Final Exam in multiple-choice format

Requirements for earning the ECE certification include the following:

Candidates must be 18 years of age or older
Candidates must have a high school diploma or equivalent gained from institutions accredited and recognized by U. S. Department of Education and submit documentation as proof of their educational history
Candidates must have access to a computer and printer and have a valid email address
Candidates must be able to speak, read, and write well enough in English to understand and complete the required course material
Candidates must submit proof of 480 clock hours of working with children in an early childhood care setting within the past five years

The program is one year in length. It costs $100 for an application fee and has a tuition cost of $2,700. You also will have to purchase textbooks relevant to the course, which can cost up to $80 or more.