Duluth, GA/ October 19, 2011 – ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), an IACET approved, nationally accredited, distance training institution dedicated exclusively to the child care industry, announces that the CCEI Online Early Childhood Credential (ECC) is now recognized in Utah to meet the state’s formal education requirements for certain positions in the early care and education industry.

The Utah state Bureau of Child Development, Child Care Licensing Administration, has evaluated and determined the CCEI Early Childhood Credential (ECC) to be an accepted certification equivalent to the Child Development Associate (CDA) issued by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. The CCEI credential awards 18 IACET CEUs and has been recommended for 12 hours of semester credit in early childhood education by the National College Credit Recommendation Service (National CCRS), which has more than 1,500 schools willing to consider credit. The Credential is also recognized by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to meet a part of the Alternative Pathways for directors to meet educational qualifications of the Designated Program Administrator.

“CCEI’s online ECC provides an important option for the early care workforce to fulfill their state’s education and training requirements. These requirements often include obtaining a state or national credential, or its equivalency, demonstrating competence in the care and education of young children,” said Maria C. Taylor, ChildCare Education Institute President and CEO. “The ECC credential provides educators with 180 hours of competency-based coursework including practical application exercises that teach the basic competencies needed to work with young children.”