BCC to Offer Accelerated Childcare Certification

Bladen Community College is one of 16 schools tapped for a new accelerated program designed to increase the number of childcare professionals in the state.

The N.C. Dept. of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) is partnering with the schools to establish “Child Care Academies,” a shortened intensive training and certification that prepares participants for careers in childcare at no cost to them. This workforce initiative is funded by the Division of Child Development and Early Education using funds from a federal Preschool Development Grant.

Child Care Academies offer training in multiple formats across various counties to ensure statewide accessibility, incorporating both virtual and in-person learning opportunities.

The training includes CPR/first aid, health and safety, infant/toddler safe sleep and sudden infant death syndrome, playground safety, and recognizing and responding to suspicions of child maltreatment. Participants also receive an overview of the North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development, instruction on the Environment Rating Scales as well as information about program standards for Pathways to the Stars, the state’s modernized Quality Rating and Improvement System. Participants also receive certification and support in completing required NCDHHS criminal background checks.

Child Care Academies are established with the goal of expanding access to high-quality early learning programs, supporting workforce development and strengthening the economic infrastructure by enabling parents to remain in the workforce. This workforce initiative aligns with recommendations from the NC Task Force on Child Care and Early Education.
Each site is required to conduct at least three Child Care Academies through July 2026. Participating schools may independently choose the start for their Child Care Academy program, with some having begun in October 2025 and others launching as soon as January 2026. Individuals who are interested in enrolling should contact the school’s admissions office of the program they are interested in directly for information on availability.

“North Carolina’s early learning system depends on a strong, well-prepared workforce, and the Child Care Academies are designed to meet that need head on,” said NCDHHS Deputy Secretary for Opportunity and Well-Being Michael Leighs. “By providing free high-quality training, we’re opening doors for new educators while supporting families and ensuring children across our state have access to safe and nurturing care.”

Traditional training to become a lead teacher in early childhood education can take several weeks or even months to complete. Each academy delivers a comprehensive curriculum that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum training standards for new child care professionals that may be shorter than the traditional program. The length of each program will vary depending on the Child Care Academy the participants enroll in as the programs are operated by each individual college or university.

“Children in early childhood care and education environments need well-prepared teachers to help keep them safe, healthy and learning,” said Candace Witherspoon, Director of the NCDHHS Division of Child Development and Early Education, which licenses and monitors child care programs. “Child Care Academies quickly and fully prepare teachers to provide quality care and education to children and families in their communities.”

The schools involve include