
Big Blue Marble Academy is offering $75,000 in scholarship funds to its ECE community of administrators, teachers and staff.
CCEI and StraighterLine have partnered with the team at BBMA to use these scholarship funds toward online courses for employees. CCEI's Self-Study CDA Certification program is eligible for enrollment using the scholarship funds offered.
CCEI's CDA Online Certificate Courses

Our Self-Study CDA programs meet the 120 clock hours of professional development required by The Council for Professional Recognition in order to obtain the National CDA Credential with an Infant/Toddler or Preschool setting. The CDA online training programs are each comprised of eight Instructional Units. These units focus on the six CDA Competency Standards established by The Council for Professional Recognition.
Self-Study CDA
Infant-Toddler Certificate
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This CCEI CDA certificate program of study aligns to the new CDA credentialing process as established by the Council for Professional Recognition.
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Language: Only available in English
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Settings: Infant/Toddler or Preschool
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Program Start Date: Rolling Enrollment – Start Anytime
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Program End Date: 365 days from enrollment date
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Infant-Toddler Program Code:
1302-CDAI -
Program Length: 125 Hours
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IACET CEU Value: 12.5 CEU’s
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Textbook is required and must be purchased directly with the publisher at the links below. Scholarship funds can be used to cover the cost of the textbook fee as well.
Self-Study CDA
Preschool Certificate
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This CCEI CDA certificate program of study aligns to the new CDA credentialing process as established by the Council for Professional Recognition.
-
Language: Only available in English
-
Settings: Infant/Toddler or Preschool
-
Program Start Date: Rolling Enrollment – Start Anytime
-
Program End Date: 365 days from enrollment date
-
Preschool Program Code:
1302-CDAP -
Program Length: 125 Hours
-
IACET CEU Value: 12.5 CEU’s
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Textbook is required and must be purchased directly with the publisher at the links below. Scholarship funds can be used to cover the cost of the textbook fee as well.
How to enroll using the Scholarship
Download the two PDFs for the setting of choice.
Print all pages and fill out all fields.
Email or Fax to the info displayed below each button.
Self-Study CDA
Infant-Toddler Certificate
Scan and Email the documents to
Melissa Thomas, Director of Admissions, at
mthomas@cceionline.com
or Fax:
(877) 259-1105
Self-Study CDA
Preschool Certificate
Scan and Email the documents to
Melissa Thomas, Director of Admissions, at
mthomas@cceionline.com
or Fax:
(877) 259-1105
99%
of students say they would recommend CCEI to others
“CCEI by far has been positive, motivational and highly educational. I would recommend this program of study to anyone who needs training in the CDA field. Thank you, CCEI.”
Doris B., Nature’s Nursery School at Green Chimneys
“CCEI was easy to use and allowed me to work on my CDA at my own pace. I could work as fast or as slow as I needed to based on my work schedule.”
Victoria H.
“I would recommend CCEI for anyone looking to achieve their CDA certification.”
Janice M., West Stafford School
Nearly 9,100,000
Online Course Hours Completed
Graduated Over 47,700
ECE Professionals from CDA
and Other Certificate Programs
Dr. Calvin Moore Jr., CEO, Council for Professional Recognition
Earn your Child Development Associate Credential with CCEI!
99%
of students say they would recommend CCEI to others
“CCEI by far has been positive, motivational and highly educational. I would recommend this program of study to anyone who needs training in the CDA field. Thank you, CCEI.”
Doris B., Nature’s Nursery School at Green Chimneys
“CCEI was easy to use and allowed me to work on my CDA at my own pace. I could work as fast or as slow as I needed to based on my work schedule.”
Victoria H.
“I would recommend CCEI for anyone looking to achieve their CDA certification.”
Janice M., West Stafford School
Nearly 9,100,000
Online Course Hours Completed
Graduated Over 47,700
ECE Professionals from CDA
and Other Certificate Programs
Dr. Calvin Moore Jr., CEO, Council for Professional Recognition
Earn your Child Development Associate Credential with CCEI!
Here are some of the many benefits of CCEI’s CDA programs:
- High graduation rates
- Earn the required 120 hours of training in all eight CDA subject areas
- Access courses 24/7/365 from anywhere with internet access
- Up to one year to complete, or sooner if schedule allows
- Accessible Education Coaches to provide on-going assistance and support in reaching your goals
- Support for students in preparing portfolios and other Council requirements toward Credential
- Programs available in both English and Spanish. In addition, students who complete the program may be able to articulate their training through one of CCEl’s articulation partners
97%
Rated CCEI
Excellent or Good
97%
Rated CCEI’s
Online Learning
Management
System as Excellent
or Good
99%
Were Satisfied with Their Studies
CCEI + BBM Scholarship Program FAQs
BBMA has partnered with ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), a StraighterLine
company, to administer the BBMA Pathways Program. The goals of this program are to
offer comprehensive CDA programs that are engaging, written by child care experts and
provide dedicated support during the time you are enrolled in your CDA program.
The CDA program is offered in two different settings: Infant/Toddler or Preschool.
Anyone who has been employed with BBMA for a minimum of 60 days, is eligible to apply.
Once approved, BBMA Scholars may enroll in any of the three CDA program settings.
This CDA program is online and self-paced which means you can move at your own
speed. You have one full year to complete your CDA coursework and you can
access your coursework 24/7.
You can complete your CDA coursework on any device, including a cell phone, as
long as you have internet access.
Additionally, CCEI’s CDA students receive dedicated support from an Education
Coach that is assigned at the time of enrollment. While the program is online, each
student will have dedicated support until they complete their CDA coursework with
CCEI.
Once you have decided to enroll in a CDA program with CCEI, please submit your application and authorization form for the setting of choice.
For the Self-Study CDA Infant-Toddler Certificate Program Enrollment Application, CLICK HERE. For the Self-Study CDA Infant-Toddler Certificate Program Authorization to Release Form, CLICK HERE.
For the Self-Study CDA Preschool Certificate Program Enrollment Application, CLICK HERE. For the Self-Study CDA Preschool Certificate Program Authorization to Release Form, CLICK HERE.
You have one full year, 365 days to complete your CDA coursework.
Covered expenses include:
- Tuition
- Registration fees
- Must be 16 years of age or older.
- Must provide evidence of possessing a high school diploma or GED obtained from
institutions accredited and recognized by U. S. Department of Education or be enrolled as
a junior or senior in a high school career and technical program in early childhood
education. Diplomas earned outside the U. S. or presented in a language other than
English must be translated to English by a member of the American Translators
Association, an approved credential evaluation agency approved by the Bureau of
Educators Certification, or an accredited college/university. - Must have access to a computer and printer.
- Must have a valid email address.
- Must have access to the Internet through a CCEI supported JavaScript enabled web
browser (i.e. Microsoft Edge, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, etc.). - Must be able to speak, read, and write well enough in the language the course is
presented in to understand and complete the course material. - Several courses within this program require observation, assessment, and practical
application of learning principles in an early childhood learning environment. Students
must be working in or have access to an early childhood environment to successfully
complete this program.
For questions related to BBMA, please contact:
Mary Marietta
Chief Human Resources Officer
mmarietta@bbmacademy.com
For questions regarding your CDA program, you will contact your Education Coach.
Their contact information will be provided immediately after enrollment. You can also
call Customer Support at 800.499.9907 ext. 524 for technical support.
BBMA Scholars are expected to continue employment for twelve months following
completion of their courses. If you choose to terminate their employment prior to that
time, you will be expected to repay the associated fees.
Once you have decided to enroll in a CDA program with CCEI, please complete a CCEI enrollment form and return it to Melissa Thomas via email at mthomas@cceionline.com or via fax using the fax number at the bottom of the enrollment form.
You will receive an email notifying you if your application is approved or not.
If approved for participation, within 48 business hours of receiving your approval email, you will receive a welcome email from CCEI with instructions on how to start your CDA coursework. Access to your CDA coursework will be through the same CCEI portal you currently use to take professional development courses.
For the Self-Study CDA Infant-Toddler Certificate Program Enrollment Application, CLICK HERE. For the Self-Study CDA Infant-Toddler Certificate Program Authorization to Release Form, CLICK HERE.
For the Self-Study CDA Preschool Program Enrollment Application, CLICK HERE. For the Self-Study CDA Preschool Certificate Program Authorization to Release Form, CLICK HERE.
Questions specific to the BBMA Pathways Program should be directed to:
mthomas@cceionline.com or 800.499.9907 ext. 523.
General questions regarding technical or logistical support should be directed to:
helpdesk@cceionline.com or 800.499.9907 ext. 524.
Required Textbook:
Essentials for Working with Young Children; 2nd Edition
by The Council for Professional Recognition
Recommended Textbooks:
Testimonials
Need Help?
If you have questions or concerns, please call
Melissa Thomas: 800.499.9907 ext. 523
or via email at mthomas@cceionline.com
Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST