Source: DSU
Delaware State University’s Early Childhood Innovation Center (ECIC) has successfully completed its full first year of improving the quality of childcare in the State of Delaware through its certification and higher education program for childcare providers.
Since the fall of 2023, the ECIC facilitated the degree completion of 13 childcare providers – five of whom earned associate degrees and eight of whom earned bachelor’s degrees in areas relating early childhood education. On July 16 at Delaware State University, a ceremony was held to celebrate those achievers.
In addition, the ECIC also facilitated the credentialing of 223 childcare scholars who achieved their certification as Child Development Associates (CDA). Many of those CDAs were honored at a ceremony at DSU on June 14.
The CDAs and degree completers – DE RISE Scholars – are the first childcare scholars to do so through the joint State of Delaware and Delaware State University initiative to establish the ECIC. The ECIC mission is to increase childcare capabilities in the First State and thereby give young children the best educational start possible.
While possessing a CDA expands the childcare providers’ possibilities for more job opportunities and better wages, the children under their care are the biggest beneficiaries.
The CDAs are granted by the Council of Professional Recognition (CPR), a worldwide leader in credentialing early childhood educators. The CDA ensures that credentialed childcare providers are well-prepared to foster young children’s social, emotional, physical, and cognitive growth.
The role of DSU’s ECIC is to support childcare providers in meeting the CDA’s requirements, as well as to support and facilitate childcare workers who desired to earn an academic degree related to Early Childhood Education. The ECIC provides mentorship and stipend and scholarship financial support.
