Quality standards extend beyond licensing requirements, good facilities and best intentions. The child care staff with whom parents entrust their children must be professional, competent, knowledgeable and dedicated to ensuring high quality early childhood experiences in safe and nurturing environments. These experiences must effectively promote children’s social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. They must also be consistent with family needs, the child’s developmental level, learning interests, style of learning and cultural background. Professionals exhibiting standards of excellence in child care and early childhood education are recognized by The NECPA Commission, Inc. through the awarding of a national credential, the Certified Child Care Professional (CCP).
9 Professional Ability Areas
Upon completion of the Certified Childcare Professional (CCP), a candidate will accomplish the following 9 Professional Ability Areas:
- The ability to establish and maintain a safe, nurturing, purposeful learning environment.
- The ability to promote children's physical, cognitive, social and emotion development.
- The ability to create a purposeful learning environment through curriculum and content.
- The ability to create an inclusive and culturally responsive learning environment.
- The ability to engage in effective management of learning environments.
- The ability to maintain a commitment to professional development and leadership.
- The ability to use assessment planning of learning opportunities and documentation of outcomes.
- The ability to demonstrate knowledge of child development theory research and practice.
- The ability to demonstrate computer literacy and promote learning through technology.
Who should earn the CCP
The CCP is designed specifically for 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.
- The CCP Program provides candidates with expertise in the 9 Professional Ability Areas reflecting the highest national standards.
- The CCP Program qualifies recipients to pursue position advancement in child care and early childhood education.
- The CCP Program certified recipients nationally, thereby affording nationwide recognition of their qualifications to engage in professional child care and early childhood practice.
- The CCP Program certifies the professional expertise of recipients to parents, supervisors and the community.
- CCPs are recognized nationally as having a positive impact on the lives of children, families and the community.
How the CCP Candidate is 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:
- High school diploma or the equivalent
- 18 years of age or older
- 720 hours of child care experience serving children between birth and 6 years of age within the last 5 years in a licensed center-based early childhood program
- 180* clock hours of education/training reflecting the 9 Professional Ability Areas.
- National Early Childhood Education specialist credentialing exam
- Professional development portfolio
- Performance based observation assessment
- Two parent evaluations
- Two letters of endorsement (Director and Colleague)
- Two writing samples documenting the use of writing skills in professional activities
- Plans for continued professional development
- Review by the NECPA Professional Standards Council (PSC)
*180 Clock hours of training must be obtained through a NECPA approved training institution.
Enroll Now by downloading the CCP Registration Form.
Questions? Please contact the NECPA Commission at 1.855.706.3272.