The support you need to inspire, empower, and transform early educators and administrators
We partnered with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) to cover the cost of the course you need to earn your Early Childhood Coach Credential.
Choose from any department-approved course.
About the Scholarship
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Financial aid to cover the cost of your CDEC-approved, required coaching course.
Human support with enrollment, registration, and your Coach Credential application in PDIS.
Connections to other coaching resources and networks.
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You are eligible if you:
Are a resident of Colorado.
Are employed or seeking employment in the early childhood profession.
Have at least two years experience working in a licensed care and education setting.
Are registered in the Professional Development Information System (PDIS).
Currently have or plan to apply for an Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 (ECPC) Level 3 or higher.
Have NOT already completed the Relationship-Based Professional Development course or any other CDEC-approved coaching course.
Have never held an Early Childhood Coach Credential.
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If you are awarded the scholarship, you commit to:
Enroll in and successfully complete a CDEC-approved coaching course currently partnering with ECCLA
Apply for the PDIS Coach Credential within 60 days upon completion of your coaching program
Complete 8 hours of Reflective Supervision (RS) a year; totaling 24 hours of RS every 3 years to meet the coaching credential renewal guidelines
Complete a minimum of 15 hours of Professional Development per year to maintain your Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0
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Due to limited funding, we are currently prioritizing individuals who need a coach credential for their job.
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Do you have questions or need help navigating the scholarship?
Stephanie Martin
Program Director
stephanie@ecclacolorado.org
(720) 741-2896 -
Check eligibility.
Choose the program that you want to enroll in.
Go to the Scholarship Portal and create an account by clicking “register.”
Click on “MY PROGRAMS” to expand the dropdown menu, and then select “Coach Credential Scholarship Program.” Click “create.”
Fill out the application completely. You will see a green checkmark next to each complete section. Be sure to click “SAVE AS DRAFT” to save your work!
When you are finished, click on “SUBMIT AS FINAL.” When you are finished, click on “SUBMIT AS FINAL.” Your application is not submitted and will not be processed until you complete that step!
Approved Courses
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Transformational Coaching for Early Childhood Educators
Upcoming: Spring 2026 registration closes 2/4/2026
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Pyramid Colorado Facilitator Certification
Upcoming: Program paused; TBD.
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Intro to Relationship-based Mentoring (EDU 2251) & Intro to Relationship-Based Mentoring Techniques (EDU 2255)
COLORADO COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM
This is currently offered by:
- Colorado Mesa University
- Morgan Community College
- Pikes Peak State College
- Red Rocks Community College
To add your institution to the list, please contact Enola Garland. -
Coaching Early Childhood Professionals, Foundations
Upcoming: Winter/Spring 2026 session beings 1/14/2026.
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Coaching Potentials Coaching Certification Program: Foundational Coaching
Are you ready to apply?
Submitting an application is simple:
Create an account.
Select the Coach Credential Scholarship.
Fill out your application. A green checkmark will appear on each tab when the section is complete.
Be sure to click “SUBMIT AS FINAL” when you are finished!
Why become an
early childhood coach?
Studies have shown coaching to be one of the most effective ways to support adult educators in learning new knowledge and skills (Joyce & Showers, 2002). This growth ripples beyond that professional, supporting the children and families they serve as well.
In the 2019 Colorado Shines Brighter (Colorado’s Preschool Development Grant) Needs Assessment, the state prioritized continued investment in:
Quality-enhancing professional development
Workforce recruitment and retention across early care and education
Continuing to develop a diverse early childhood workforce
A potential avenue for the advancement, retention, and recruitment of early childhood professionals is through free and accessible professional development opportunities, including coaching. Increasing access to coaching provides opportunities for professionals to have more individualized access to knowledge specific to their individual needs and career supports.
To make this opportunity possible, there needs to be credentialed coaches to meet the needs of the early childhood professionals.
