Published by CounciLINK on January 24, 2019
And last year, CCEI reached a new milestone when the Council recognized the Duluth, GA, training group as a CDA Gold Standard organization after reviewing the services and training it has provided to more than 12,000 early childhood professionals from the CDA and other certificate programs.
“Our partnership with ChildCare Education Institute expands the reach of the Child Development Associate (CDA®) credential, a best first step for educators who want to make a difference in children’s lives,” said Dr. Valora Washington, the Council’s CEO.
“CCEI is proud of our 10-year partnership with the Council for Professional Recognition. Together, we have worked to ensure CDA students’ success with high-quality training that encompasses all their needs,” said Maria C. Taylor, president and CEO of CCEI.
Why have these students chosen to get their training at CCEI? A number of reasons stand out:
The agreement with Ashford is a huge selling point because it’s similar to what’s happening in some states – such as Virginia – that are now automatically transferring students’ early education credits at community colleges to four-year schools.
Many folks have posted online testimonials about the way CCEI meets its students’ needs.
“I would like to express my appreciation to CCEI for all you do to help early child professionals,” said one staff development specialist from Virginia. “Because the programs are online and self-paced, it has been convenient in assisting our training department with helping staff achieve their early childhood credentials.”
The convenience of the program also is a particular selling point for people like one Texas CCEI student who works a grueling 10 to 12 hours a day.
“The flexibility and staff support made it possible for me to finish,” she said. “I enjoyed and recommend the CDA program.”
So did a new mom from Michigan who was wondering if she should open a day care center.
“I found these classes to be exactly what I needed,” she said. “They not only convinced me to push on but also gave me the tools I need to support my family.”
CCEI delivers what students need because it offers more than 150 professional development courses based on cutting-edge research in ECE. The coursework covers the gamut of the field from reflective practices in early childhood education to the use of robots for teaching design, building, engineering and programming to preschool children.
Students can choose from courses in infant care and toddler safety; health, safety and nutrition; administration and management; diversity and inclusion; guidance and classroom management; family and community engagement or preschool care. And there’s even more since CCEI adds more than 30 hours of new course content to its curriculum every year.
Recent additions in 2018 include effective class meetings in early childhood, addressing homelessness, trouble-free transitions that teach, character education, a course that helps build self-respect, a course that explores concern for other people and the desire to make a difference in the communities where we live.
This comprehensive and innovative approach is recognition that early childhood educators must wear many hats in both their communities and their schools.
“As a new teacher, your job description may change each day,” CCEI tells its students.
“Teaching,” it pointed out in a recent newsletter, “is full of responsibilities, roles and challenges. Like most worthwhile endeavors, it brings both challenges and rewards. Be flexible and you will most readily enjoy the rewards of teaching young children.”
But the ones who will really score wins are the children and families these educators serve, as the Council’s Dr. Washington pointed out.
“It’s exciting to think about the many young children, families and communities that will benefit from the high-quality education and training students receive from the ChildCare Education Institute,” she said.
There’s no doubt that its comprehensive, online training gets students on track for great careers in the early childhood field.
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Chief Operations Officer
Andrew Davis serves as Chief Operating Officer at the Council. In this role, Andrew oversees the Programs Division, which includes the following operational functions: credentialing, growth and business development, marketing and communications, public policy and advocacy, research, innovation, and customer relations.
Andrew has over 20 years of experience in the early care and education field. Most recently, Andrew served as Senior Vice President of Partnership and Engagement with Acelero Learning and Shine Early Learning, where he led the expansion of state and community-based partnerships to produce more equitable systems of service delivery, improved programmatic quality, and greater outcomes for communities, children and families. Prior to that, he served as Director of Early Learning at Follett School Solutions.
Andrew earned his MBA from the University of Baltimore and Towson University and his bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland – University College.
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Jan Bigelow serves as Chief Financial Officer at the Council and has been with the organization since February of 2022.
Jan has more than 30 years in accounting and finance experience, including public accounting, for-profit and not-for-profit organizations. She has held management-level positions with BDO Seidman, Kiplinger Washington Editors, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, Communities In Schools, B’nai B’rith Youth Organization and American Humane. Since 2003, Jan has worked exclusively in the non-profit sector where she has been a passionate advocate in improving business operations in order to further the mission of her employers.
Jan holds a CPA from the State of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Lycoming College. She resides in Alexandria VA with her husband and dog.
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