At The Heart's Louisiana Ancillary Program

What is an Ancillary Certificate?

The Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate (ECAC) is a professional credential issued by the Louisiana Department of Education. It is a state requirement for lead teachers in Type III licensed child care centers. Since July 2019, all new lead teachers are required to earn this certificate within 24 months of their start date.

Our program, At The Heart of Teaching, Learning, and Leadership, is a BESE-approved ECAC program that prepares you to meet these requirements while advancing your career in early childhood education.

About Our Program

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Comprehensive Training

  • 120 hours of training focused on early childhood education principles.
  • 30 hours of applied practice to put your learning into action.
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Exceptional Support

  • Two CLASS observations to strengthen teacher-child interactions.
  • CDA portfolio coaching, including guidance on creating a professional portfolio for the CDA assessment.
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Convenience

  • Fully remote learning environment with provided materials.
  • Access to live webinars, professional development training, and exclusive resources through our Early Learning Academy.
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No Cost to You

  • Our program is funded by the Pathways Ancillary Scholarship, ensuring no financial burden for participants who qualify.
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Pathways Ancillary Scholarship

The Pathways Ancillary Scholarship covers the full cost of your training. To qualify:

  1. Enroll in Louisiana Pathways: Be an active participant in the Early Learning Center Career Development System.
  2. Employment Requirement: Work part-time (16 hours/week) or full-time as a lead or assistant teacher in a Type III center.
  3. No Equivalent Credentials: Ensure you don’t already hold a qualifying degree or certificate.
  4. For Teaching Assistants: Submit an assurance letter stating your eligibility to become a lead teacher upon program completion.

To confirm your center’s Type III status, visit Louisiana Schools.

Program Highlights

  • 144 Clock Hours

    Covering all CDA® subject areas over a 6-month timeline.

  • CDA Assessment Prep

    Includes an online test and 3-hour observation by a CDA® Council PD Specialist.

  • Career Growth

    Be eligible for lead teacher positions and other opportunities in early childhood education.
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