Early Childhood Teacher

(formerly known as Group Leader) 
 

Early Childhood Teacher Eligibility Chart

Application for Early Childhood Teacher 7.702.54

Individuals who are seeking employment as an Early Childhood Teacher assigned responsibility for a single group of children working under the supervision of a director, may apply and obtain an Official Early Childhood Teacher Qualification Verification Letter from CDHS, Division of Child Care. Currently an Early Childhood Teacher Verification letter is not required for employment.

Director Qualifications / Early Childhood Teacher Equivalency Charts:

• Colorado State University - Equivalency Chart for Human Development and Family Studies Majors and Equivalency Chart for Early Childhood Education Licensure Students  
• Metropolitan State College of Denver
• Stanley British Primary School - University of Colorado at Denver - Master's Degree in EPSY with concentraion in ECE for SBPS Interns
• University of Colorado at Denver - Early Childhood Special Education Specialist
• University of Colorado at Denver - Master's Degree in ECE
• University of Northern Colorado - Bachelor's Degree in ECSE
• University of Northern Colorado - Master's Degree in ECSE

• Montessori Trainings Equivalent to the CDHS Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications

Memorandum of Understanding: 

• Colorado Community College System / Delta Montrose Technical College

 Resources

• T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship Program Information 
• Early Childhood Education Challenge Test

How to Apply

To begin the process, an application must be completed, submitted to the center director for review and verification with all required documentation including original transcripts. Photocopies, computer printouts, faxed transcripts, grade reports, etc., cannot be substituted for original transcripts. Once the Director has verified the information the application will be submitted to the Division of Child Care for issuance of an Early Childhood Teacher Verification letter.

Directions for completing FORMS A, B, and C:

The applicant must completely fill out Forms A, B, and C (copy Form C for each place of employment the applicant has incurred in early childhood experience) and submit them to the appropriate manager, e.g. Director, Education Manager, HR Director. The manager must perform the following:

• Review all documents provided by the applicant to guarantee that all required information has been included, thus ensuring that the process moves as quickly as possible.
• Complete Form B verifying how the applicant is qualified as an Early Childhood Teacher (Early Childhood Teacher Chart). Please attach original transcript to the application.
• Confirm the experience on each Form C with their initial next to each qualification.
• Complete the bottom portion of Form A certifying that all information on Forms A, B, and C is true.
   

Once all documents are submitted, the Department will determine if the applicant meets the requirements for Early Childhood Teacher qualification. The applicant’s original transcript will be returned to the applicant at the center once the applicant’s name has been entered into the division’s database. The applicant will receive one of the following types of letters:

1. A final letter indicating that you are fully qualified. Because we do not issue licenses or certificates to Early Childhood Teachers, this is verification that you are Early Childhood Teacher qualified.
2. A letter indicating that you are not qualified to function as an Early Childhood Teacher and what you are lacking.

Please Note: An original transcript (though not necessarily official/sealed transcript) from a Regionally Accredited college must accompany all Forms submitted to CDHS.

The following is a list of regionally accrediting organizations CDHS recognizes:

• Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges - Commission on Institutions of Higher Education (NEASC-CIHE)
• North Central Association of Colleges and Schools - The Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) Commission on Colleges
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASC-ACCJC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges - Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities (WASC-ACSCU)

Foreign Transcript/Equivalency Services Resource List

Where to Send Your Application

Early Childhood Teacher Qualifications
CDHS, Division of Child Care
1575 Sherman Street, 1st Floor
Denver, CO 80203-1714

Checklist of Materials to Submit With Your Application

• Application Data Form (FORM A)
• Verification Worksheet (FORM B), along with supporting documentation (original transcripts and/or certificates)
• Experience Verification Worksheet (FORM C), if needed along with the official experience letter attached

Still have Questions?

Please contact Patti Silvers at 303-866-3797 or Patti.Silvers@state.co.us.