Who should earn the CCP®?

The CCP® is designed specifically for early childhood educators and teachers.  It is especially valuable for teachers who have not completed a college degree or whose degree is in another field.

Why become a CCP®?

Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)® Candidates are viewed as distinguished professionals who have earned national and state recognition for their achievements in child care and early childhood education.

How is the CCP® Candidate Evaluated?

The Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)® Multi-Indicator Evaluation (MIE) process is designed to determine the extent to which candidates have met or exceeded the CCP® standards of professional expertise.  MIE Criteria include:

1. High school diploma or the equivalent
2. 18 years of age or older
3. 720 hours of child care experience serving children between birth and 5 years of age within the last 5 years in a licensed center-based early childhood program
4. 180 clock hours of education/training reflecting the 9 Professional Ability Areas.  
5. National Early Childhood Education specialist credentialing exam
6. Professional development portfolio
7. Performance based observation assessment
8. Two parent evaluations
9. Two letters of endorsement (Director and Colleague)
10. Two writing samples documenting the use of writing skills in professional activities
11. Plans for continued professional development
12. Review by the NECPA Professional Standards Council (PSC)

The 9 Professional Ability Areas of the CCP®:

Upon completion of the Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)®, a candidate will accomplish the following 9 Professional Ability Areas:

1. The ability to establish and maintain a safe, nurturing, and purposeful learning environment.
2. The ability to promote children's physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development.
3. The ability to create a purposeful learning environment through curriculum and content.
4. The ability to create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment.
5. The ability to engage in effective management of learning environments.
6. The ability to maintain a commitment to professional development and leadership.
7. The ability to use assessment planning of learning opportunities and documentation of outcomes.
8. The ability to demonstrate knowledge of child development theory, research, and practice.
9. The ability to demonstrate computer literacy and promote learning through Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (STEAM).

Certified Childcare Professional (CCP)® State Approvals:

As a nationally recognized credential, the CCP® is privileged to be identified in the following states as an Approved Director or Teacher Credential. For additional information on scholarships or approval documentation, please contact our team at [email protected].