Early Childhood Teacher Certification

• Who Should Apply

  Individuals who are seeking employment as an Early Childhood Teacher assigned responsibility for a single group of children working under the supervision of a director, may apply for an Official Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Verification Letter from the Division of Early Care and Learning (DECL).

  Currently, an Early Childhood Teacher Verification letter is not required for employment. We do not issue licenses or certificates to Early Childhood Teachers.

  Review the Credential Equivalency Chart and Early Childhood Teacher Chart to help determine eligibility. Review the Early Childhood Teacher Equivalency Charts for information on credit equivalency from various organizations.

• How to Apply

  The application process takes approximately 6-8 weeks from the time your complete application packet is received by the Division of Early Care and Learning (DECL) until the results of your evaluation are sent to you.

  Application Forms (Forms A, B and C) 
   

  Complete an application packet:

  The complete application packet must include the following documents:

  • Application Data Form (Form A).
  • Verification Worksheet (Form B).
    • Attached supporting documentation (original transcripts and/or certificates). Accepted forms of transcript include sealed, official transcripts and official, emailed PDF transcripts received from college registrars.
    • DECL will NOT accept copies of official or unofficial transcripts (this includes, faxed, photocopied or emailed transcripts), computer printouts of transcripts, grade reports, etc.
  • Experience Verification Worksheet (Form C).
    • Attach the official experience letter to this form.

   

  Facility review of the application packet:

  The completed packet must be submitted to a manager or supervisor in your child care facility to verify the information. This may be the facility’s director, an education manager, or a human resources representative. This individual will:

  • Review the application packet to guarantee required information has been included.
  • Complete Form B verifying how the applicant is qualified as an Early Childhood Teacher (Early Childhood Teacher Chart).
  • Verify the experience on Form C by initialing each qualification.
  • Complete the bottom portion of Form A certifying that all information on Forms A, B and C is correct.

  Once the application has been verified by the facility, the application must be submitted to the DECL.

  You are encouraged to make a copy of your application packet prior to mailing it to the DECL. Once your evaluation has been completed and a final qualification letter issued, your entire file will be shredded. Application packet documents will not be returned to applicant.

   

  Mail the application packet to:

  Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications
  CDHS, Division of Early Care and Learning
  1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
  Denver, CO 80203-1714

• Application Review

  Once all documents are received, the Division will determine if you meet the requirements for Early Childhood Teacher qualification. You will receive one of two letters:

  • A final letter indicating that you are fully qualified. This is verification that you are Early Childhood Teacher qualified.
  • A letter indicating that you are not qualified to function as an Early Childhood Teacher and explaining why you do not qualify.​

  
  Your original transcript will be returned to you at the center once your name has been entered into the Division’s database.

• Regionally Accrediting Organizations Recognized by the DECL
  Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
  
  New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
  
  North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
  
  Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges
  
  Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)
  
  Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)
• Resources
  T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program