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Early Childhood Career Navigation
Welcome to Early Childhood Career Navigation!
Where are you on your Early Childhood Professional Journey?
- Just beginning...
- Wondering if you are on the correct path.
- Well on your way.
- You need to go back because you forgot something.
- You need to rest and have something to eat!
- Just arrived! Now what?
Every career has a set of challenges and different paths to choose from.
Sometimes you need assistance finding the path, and sometimes you just need something to help you finish your journey!
We’re here to help you wherever you are on your path!
Paths in Early Childhood
Since Early Childhood lives in two state departments - Colorado Department of Education and Colorado Department of Early Childhood, there can be confusion with the language and requirements to work in different positions and different environments. Here is some basic information to get you started!
Qualifications
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) qualifies teachers to work in community-based programs* and some public preschools. There are many pathways for different roles, which are listed on the Early Childhood Teacher chart.
*Community-based programs include licensed childcare and preschools in homes or centers. May qualify you to work in some public preschools, depending on district requirements. Licensure is one qualification pathway
Licensure
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) requires licensure for K-12 public school teachers. CDE does not require licensure for Preschool/PreK, but school districts can choose whether they want to require licensure for those positions and offer a certified salary.
The basic requirements for CDE licensure are:
- bachelor's or higher degree from a regionally accredited college/university;
- completion of an approved teacher preparation program;
- demonstration of content knowledge
Not sure which path you need? Email the Early Childhood Navigators for some suggestions!
Reflect on:
- What age of children would you like to work with? Early Childhood includes children from birth through eight years old.
- Do you want to be an Early Childhood Educator, Director, Coach…. or something else?
- Where do you want to work? Public preschools, child care centers, home child care settings are a few options.
Explore, Plan, and Develop
- Get resources to help find training, education, teaching positions, or financial assistance.
Connect - Connect the dots to create your future!
- Connect with early childhood partners to help you get to your goals.
Early Childhood Resource Links
- All CDEC Qualifications
- Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
- General Requirements for Licenses & Authorizations
- Licensing
- Colorado Teacher Endorsement Requirements
- Search for Educator Preparation Programs
- Licensure Information for All Out-of-State Candidates
- Multiple Measures
- Alternative Licensure
- PRAXIS / Prepare for Colorado Licensure Tests
- TEACH Colorado
- Programs and Scholarships
- T.E.A.C.H. Colorado Scholarship Program
- Educator Recruitment and Retention
- Educator Funding Opportunities
- Colorado Center for Rural Education
- Financial Opportunities for Aspiring and In-Service Educators (K12)
- Go to our Financial Opportunities page for additional information
- TEACH Colorado
- Schedule a 1-on-1 session with a TEACH Colorado coach today!
- Monthly group advising webinars to help you take the next step
- Multilingual how-to guides
- Fee reimbursements, scholarships, and more!
- TEACH and CDEC have partnered to create an Early Childhood Marketing Toolkit with resources to customize and use to support early childhood recruitment efforts and early childhood teachers in your community.
- Colorado Department of Early Childhood
- CDE Licensing
- Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance
- Early Childhood Special Education Services
- Early Childhood Career Navigation Community of Practice - The purpose of this group is to share best practices and resources, problem-solve, collaborate and elevate the work of early childhood career navigation. Early childhood career navigators from Early Childhood Councils and CDE coordinate the effort, but it’s the collective membership that provides the broad and deep early childhood workforce expertise. It is an open community and if you would like to join, email us at EceCareerNav@cde.state.co.us.
- Early Childhood Workforce Development Subcommittee
- Connect with an Early Childhood Career Navigator
Financial information on schools and districts throughout Colorado. Learn more about financial transparency.
Colorado Dept. of Education
201 East Colfax Ave.
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: 303-866-6600
Contact CDE
CDE Hours
Mon to Fri, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
See also Licensing Hours
UPDATED
March 24, 2025
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