Calling All Mentors!
Early Years Mentor Toolkit Webinars
August-December 2026
Join the TEACH Early Childhood® National Center Team as they explore The Mentor Toolkit for Early Childhood Apprenticeships.
Mentors play a critical role in apprenticeship programs and must be supported in their roles throughout the apprentices’ journey. Join the TEACH Early Childhood® National Center for a webinar series that will explore mentorship as a reciprocal professional partnership with early childhood educators. Attendees will gain further knowledge on how supportive relationships, shared goals, trust, and mental health contribute to successful mentoring. Join us to gain practical strategies, incredible resources and companion documents.
Please register in advance.
Searching for Spotlights
Telling the story of the amazing work of our participants is a great way to inspire and teach. We are looking for BBF participants or early childhood education professionals/programs to highlight this summer, either through a video interview or written article. Check out examples of spotlights we have done the past on our Participant and Partner Spotlights page.
Complete the form below if you are interested!
Looking for Potential Apprentices?
DCDEE supports a number of Child Care Academies across the state that prepare adults for working in a child care center. They all offer the essential trainings needed to enter the field as well as foundational knowledge of the field; some also include EDU 119.
Find more information and the list of Preschool Development Grant-supported academies at the link below, or reach out to your local community college, university, or Smart Start to see if they offer academies. These graduates are ready and excited to work!
Lead Teacher Credential
Education Requirements and Financial Supports
Interested in earning a Lead Teacher credential but aren't sure how? Or how to pay for it?
DCDEE has created a summary of options for individuals to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential or the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, as well as options for funding that education. This flyer outlines what you need to know to get started: the difference between the two options, who offers the instruction required, and the timeline you can expect. Take the first step on your early childhood education career journey!
North Carolina’s children, families, and businesses need more early childhood education and care options, and Building Bright Futures is an innovative solution to increase access. By supporting and encouraging students to enter the early childhood profession, we’ll help make sure more families and employers have the quality child care they need to thrive.