Career Ladder Program

The Career Ladder Program recognizes and rewards child care professionals for the completion of ongoing training in the child care field.  A growing body of research demonstrates that the quality of care children receive is directly tied to the level of training and education of those who care for them.  Participants in the Early Childhood Career Ladder Program receive a certification and cash bonus for each level of training they complete.  In addition, any Career Ladder course may also be used for required state licensing training hours.

If you would like to view Career Ladder classes in your area, visit the statewide Training Registry.

For a complete copy of the Provider Professional Development brochure click on the CCPDI Logo. 

What is the Early Childhood Career Ladder?
Who can participate in the Early Childhood Career Ladder?
How many levels of Career Ladder certification are there?
What kind of training can be  used on the Career Ladder?
What are CCR&R Career Ladder Courses?
Where can I find CCR&R Career Ladder Courses?
Which college credits can I use on the Early Childhood Career Ladder?

What is the Early Childhood Career Ladder?

The Early Childhood Career Ladder is a voluntary statewide training certification program for early childhood child care providers.  The goal of the Career Ladder Program is to increase providers' participation in ongoing training in the field.  Participants receive a certificate and cash bonus for each level of training they complete.  Each level received represents 40 hours or more of training completed.

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Who can participate in the Early Childhood Career Ladder?

To be eligible for participation in the Early Childhood Career Ladder Program, providers must meet the following requirements:

1. You must be currently employed working at least 20 hours per week with children ages birth through preschool in an early childhood and/or child care program.
2. You must have been continuously employed in this capacity in the same program for at least the past six months.
3. You must be employed in an eligible position at the time you apply, and at the time you receive your certification and bonus money.  It takes approximately 8 weeks to process your CL application.
4. Your employment must be in one of the following positions:

1. a licensed or residentially certified family child care provider caring for at least two unrelated children.
2. a licensed child care center teacher, caregiver, or director.
3. a license exempt child care/preschool teacher or director.
4. a regular every day classroom teacher, classroom teacher's aide, or education specialist in a Head Start Program.

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How many levels of Career Ladder certification are there?

There are 10 possible levels of Early Childhood Career Ladder Certification.  You may apply for each level of certification once.  There is no set order the levels must be received in, but you may only receive each level once.

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What kind of training can be  used on the Career Ladder?

Three different types of training completed within the last 5 years can be used on the Early Childhood Career Ladder.  They are:

1. Community-based CCR&R (Child Care Resource & Referral) Training.  Specific Career Ladder courses offered statewide through your local CCR&R Agency and completed within the last 5 years may be used to enter and move up the Career Ladder.  For more information or to locate your local CCR&R click here.
2. Continuing Education Units (CEUs).  New continuing education  units in early childhood topics may be used on the Career Ladder for levels 4 through 7, provided you complete them after your application for the Career Ladder level you want to use them to build on has been received and approved in CCPDI and within the past 5 years.
3. College Credit Coursework from an approved accredited college, completed in the last 5 years, can be used on the Career Ladder.  Any courses used must be specific to working with children ages birth through preschool, and you must have received a passing grade of C or higher. 

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What are CCR&R Career Ladder Courses?

CCR&R Career Ladder courses can be used on the Early Childhood Career Ladder for up to 5  years after the course completion date.

Early Childhood Career Ladder Level 1 - 7 Courses

• Early Childhood/School Age Course 1: Child Care Health & Safety  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 2: Child  Development – Ages & Stages (10 hours)
• Early Childhood Course 1:  Learning in the Early Years (10 hours)

Early Childhood Career Ladder Level 2 - 7 Courses

• Early Childhood Course 2:  A Great Place for Kids!  Creating Positive Learning Environments for Young Children (10 hours)
• Early Childhood Course 3:  Strong & Smart! Promoting Young Children’s Physical & Intellectual Development  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood Course 4:  Learning to Get Along – Supporting Young Children’s Social & Emotional Development  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 3:  Advanced Child Development – Theories of Development  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 4: Looking to Learn – Observing & Recording Children’s Behavior  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 5: Working Together – Productive Relationships With Families  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 6: Creating Good Child Care – Effective Program Management  (10 hours)
• Early Childhood/School Age Course 7: More than Babysitting – Your Commitment to Professionalism  (10 hours)

Career Ladder Endorsement Classes - Levels 4 - 7 Courses

• Infant Toddler Endorsement Courses
• School Readiness Endorsement Courses
• Special Needs Endorsement Courses
• Center Director's Endorsement Course (NCCA National Administrator’s Credential, NAC).  For information about this course, contact the Utah Private Child Care Association in Salt Lake at (801) 205-7574.
• Family Child Care Endorsement Courses (These courses may only be used by providers who are currently employed in a licensed or residentially certified family child care program, or a home-based license exempt preschool program.
• Guidance & Emotional Wellness Endorsement Courses

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Where can I find CCR&R Career Ladder Courses?

All CCR&R Career Ladder courses can be found on the Utah Office of Child Care Training Registry http://trainingregistry.jobs.utah.gov/ or by contacting your local CCR&R Agency.

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Which college credits can I use on the Early Childhood Career Ladder?

In order for college credits and degrees to be used on the Career Ladder, they must be from an accredited college or university.  In addition, the accrediting agency must be recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a valid accrediting agency.

All classes must cover topics specific to children ages birth through preschool.  You must have received a passing grade of C or higher in order to use a college course on the Career Ladder, and have completed the class in the last 5 years.

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