Duluth, GA/ September 1, 2010 – ChildCare Education Institute’s “Every Child Deserves a Well-Trained Teacher” campaign needs your votes. The Pepsi Refresh Project is an initiative sponsored by Pepsi-Cola Company that awards grant funds to projects focused on affecting a positive impact in their communities. CCEI’s initiative, “Every Child Deserves a Well-Trained Teacher”, will provide six (6) hours of free online training to child care providers nationwide.

In the United States, 550,000 staff members in child care centers provide early care and education to 2.4 million children under the age of 5. In addition, the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that 1.3 million work in the informal child care workforce. Many child care providers lack the education and training necessary to provide high-quality child care. Formal education attained by a child care provider is the strongest predictor of that provider’s ability to engage children in valuable, developmentally appropriate activities.

“ChildCare Education Institute is committed to creating, administering and delivering quality online training to child care providers nationwide,” says Maria C. Taylor, President and CEO of CCEI. “Students completing CCEI’s online courses increase their knowledge of child development, health and safety, nutrition, discipline and other topics associated with high-quality care. The Pepsi Refresh Project Grant is an opportunity for CCEI to provide online training to child care providers who otherwise may not have access to training.”

Help child care teachers and children in your community by voting today and every day throughout the month of September for “Every Child Deserves a Well-Trained Teacher”! Every vote helps providers nationwide receive access to free training and increases the quality of care provided to children.