Building a Strong and Sustainable Early Childhood Workforce
A qualified and valued workforce is essential to the success of Colorado’s early childhood ecosystem. CDEC is committed to expanding the number of early childhood professionals across the state and equipping them with the tools to provide high-quality services to children and families, while also working to retain the existing workforce through better compensation and other supports.
Learn more about our strategies to develop a stronger workforce.
Workforce Development Activities
Apprenticeship Program
Creating alternate pathways for aspiring early childhood professionals
CCCAP: Teacher Salary Increase
Better demonstrating the value of qualified educators with improved compensation
Child Development Associate Support Specialists
Building a more diverse and culturally responsive workforce
Course Creation: Director Training
Offering free training courses for child care center directors through PDIS
Early Childhood Professional Credential (ECPC)
Creating clearer professional development pathways and tracking for early childhood educators
Equity Course Creation and Translations
Offering free online equity courses through PDIS and translating existing courses and resources
Free Early Childhood Education 1011 and 1031
Courses Reducing the cost of tuition for those wishing to enter the early childhood education field
Implement a Substitute Fund Pilot
Reducing the cost of substitute educators for child care providers
PDIS Dashboard Modernization
Improving the quality and presentation of workforce data from the PDIS
PDIS Help Desk Operations
Improving support services for early childhood educators using the PDIS
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarships
Supporting access to higher education pathways for early childhood professionals
Teacher Peer Mentorship Pilot
Encouraging child care providers to develop leaders from within
Workforce Recruitment and Retention
Expanding incentives for early childhood professionals to join and advance in the field