Ready for a rewarding career?
The Rhode Island Department of Human Services (RI DHS) is here to help you take the next step. We offer many career advancement pathways to help you learn, grow, and succeed as an early childhood educator.
Every child deserves a great start in life. By supporting your professional journey, we make sure Rhode Island’s youngest learners (birth to age 5) have skilled educators and receive high-quality early learning experiences.
Whether you are just starting out or want to reach a new career goal, we have a path for you. Through our Office of Child Care, we partner with RI public colleges and universities to make sure early childhood educators have access to free or low-cost training and education that works with your schedule. Resources include scholarships, apprenticeships, and certification and degree programs.
Our goal is simple: to help you build a career you love while helping Rhode Island families thrive. Explore the career pathways below to find the right fit for you.
Early Childhood Education Career Pathways
RI Early Childhood Education and Training Program
The RI Dept of Human Service (DHS) contracts with the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), to operate and manage the Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP), The ECETP is a comprehensive and unique education and training program that implements coaching and mentoring to strengthen the knowledge and skills of both seasoned and novice early childhood educators. ECETP offers Child Development Associate (CDA) training and a college credit pathway where educators can earn up to 24-college credits in early childhood development and learning at no cost.
Qualified educators have the option to enroll in one of three Child Development Associate (CDA) training programs: Infant-Toddler, Preschool, or Family Home Care. This 14-week training prepares students to qualify for and take the intended CDA exam, which will lead to a nationally recognized early childhood credential. The second pathway is a four-course sequence, known as the 12-credit program, through which students can earn up to 12-core college credits in early childhood education. Students who complete the 12 -credit sequence can choose to earn an additional 12 credits to earn the CCRI certificate of completion in Early Childhood Education.
In the first stackable pathway, students have the option to enroll in one of three Child Development Associate (CDA) training programs: Infant/Toddler, Preschool, or Family Home Care. This 14-week training prepares students to qualify for and take the CDA exam, which will lead to a nationally recognized early childhood education credential. Upon completion of the training, ECETP students can apply for a TEACH scholarship to offset the cost of the CDA exam. Educators who hold a valid CDA, may be eligible to transfer up to 6-college credits toward the Early Childhood Education and Child Development – associate in arts degree at CCRI.
In the ECETP college credit pathway, educators can earn up to 24 college credits in Early Childhood Education. To start, educators complete a predetermined 4 course sequence earning 12 college credits. Upon completion, students can choose to continue in the program to earn an additional 12 college credits and be awarded CCRI’s certificate of completion in Early Childhood Education. All earned credits are transferable to the CCRI Associates degree in early childhood education.
TEACH Early Childhood RI
RI DHS partners with Rhode Island Association for the Education of Young Children (RIAEYC) to manage and operate the Rhode Island, Teacher Education and Compensation Helps (TEACH) scholarship program. This non-compete scholarship program offers working early childhood educators an opportunity to earn college credits, certificates, and degrees in early childhood education these participating state institutes of higher education: Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI), Rhode Island College (RIC), and the University of Rhode Island (URI). Scholarship models vary per program of study and may include generous subsidized tuition, book reimbursement, and both completion and compensation incentives. Scholarships are available for the following programs of study:
In this model, qualified educators can apply for a scholarship to earn up to 6 undergraduate college credits from CCRI, RIC or URI. This a flat rate scholarship providing 90% of tuition reimbursement.
DHS contracts with Rhode Island College to administer this program, providing working educators an opportunity to develop expertise in the care and education of infants and toddlers. Cohorts are available in English and in an English Language Learning (ELL) model for Spanish speaking educators. Students who complete this pathway can transfer credits into the RIC ECE Bachelor's Degree or the CCRI ECE Associate's Degree (spell out).
Early Childhood Birth-Three Certificate at RIC
The certificate in Early Childhood Education is for the working student who wishes to improve or upgrade their knowledge and skills in early childhood development and child care. Courses are offered days and evenings and all courses directly apply toward the Associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development. Courses support qualifications to meet BrightStars qualifications. Please note this is not a Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) endorsed certificate.
CCRI - Early Childhood Education and Child Development Associate’s Degree (CCRI)
The Associate’s degree at CCRI prepares you to work in early learning centers, Head Start programs, preschools, or public schools. It is an ideal path for those who want to continue their education but don't have the flexibility for a 4 year degree.
Early Childhood Education and Child Development Associate's Degree at CCRI
Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education - Concentration in Community Programs (RIC)
Earn a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in early childhood education at RIC to advance your career.
Early Childhood Education Certificate of Graduate Study (RIC)
RIC offers accelerated online graduate certificate study (CGS) programs for educators interested in pursuing RIDE teacher certification in early childhood education, early childhood education leadership, and early childhood special education. You must have a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, early childhood special education, or a related discipline for this program.
Registered Apprenticeship Program
In addition to managing the TEACH scholarship program, RIAEYC managers and operates the the RI Early Childhood Registered Apprentice Program. This program is dually funded by DHS and by the Apprenticeship Building America grant program. The registered apprenticeship (RA) programs provide on the job learning, classroom instruction and paid work experience paired with college classes, training, guaranteed wage increase and opportunities for career advancement.
RA pathways include:
Infant/Toddler Early Childhood Educator (Birth-3 Certificate Path)
Infant Toddler Early Educator (CDA Credential Path)
Pre-School Early Educator (CDA Credential Path)
For More Information
At RI DHS, we strive to provide you with the most current and complete information to help you explore all of the available career pathways and reach your professional goals. For more information, please review the Early Childhood Educator Career Pathways Resource Guide.
To explore working in early childhood education in Rhode Island, click the button below for a listing of current job openings.