Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship
Why Become an Early Childhood Coach?
I
n the 2019 Colorado Shines Brighter (Colorado’s Preschool Development Grant) Needs Assessment, one of the top priorities for the state was to “Continue Investing in Quality-Enhancing Professional Development Opportunities and Workforce Recruitment and Retention Across the Early Care and Education Landscape” and to “Continue 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.
Early Childhood Coaching in Colorado
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).
In partnership with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is offering a scholarship opportunity for early childhood professionals seeking an Early Childhood Coaching Credential. Applicants may choose between several CDEC-approved coaching programs.
Contact Us
Cameron Fall, Associate Program Director
Ph: (720) 899-3048
Em: cameron@ecclacolorado.org
Scholarship applications must be submitted through ECCLA’s online scholarship portal. Mailed or faxed applications will not be accepted.
Do you need translation support? Please contact Cameron to schedule a meeting.
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Resources for Coaches
- Early Childhood Coaching in Colorado
- Funding for Reflective Supervision
- PDIS Coach Credential Information
- PDIS Credential and Qualification Resources
- Colorado Competencies for Early Childhood Coaches
- Colorado Early Childhood Coaching Competencies
- Colorado Early Childhood Coaching Competencies Self-Reflection Tool
- Colorado Coaching Consortium
Know Before You Apply
Eligibility Guidelines
Participants must meet the following criteria and enroll in a coach credential program by June 30, 2025:
- Applicant is a Colorado resident
- Applicant is currently employed (or is seeking employment) in the early childhood profession and has at least two years experience working in a licensed early childhood center or family child care home
- Applicant has not already completed the Relationship-Based Professional Development Course or another department-approved coaching course in the past (see below for a list of department-approved coaching courses):
- Colorado Department of Early Childhood – Relationship-Based Professional Development Course
- Colorado Community College System – Relationship-Based Mentoring Courses or Relationship-Based Mentoring & Coaching Courses (EDU 2251 & EDU 2255)
- Coaching Potentials – Coaching Certificate
- Dynamic Coaching Systems – Coaching Certificate
- Healthy Child Care Colorado – Pyramid Facilitator Certification
- Horizons in Learning – Transformational Coaching Course
- Invest in Kids – Incredible Years Peer Coach Training
- Mosaic Mindset Consulting – Coaching Early Childhood Professionals: Foundations
- University of Colorado Denver – Coaching Certificate
- Applicant is registered within the Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
- Applicant currently holds (or will apply for) an Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0 – Level 3 or higher
- Applicant does not currently hold (or has not held in the past) an Early Childhood Coach Credential
The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!
Scholarship Commitments and Expectations
If awarded, Applicant commits 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
Supports Offered
- Support in enrollment, registration, and coaching credential application
- Support with meeting Reflective Supervision hours
- 1:1 support to ensure progression toward the completion of your credential
- Support with connecting to coaching resources and networks
How to Apply
Step 1
- Ensure that you meet eligibility requirements.
- Create a PDIS account if you do not already have one.
- Select a department-approved coaching course.
Step 2
- Go to awards.ecclacolorado.org and click “Register.”
- Under “MY PROGRAMS,” click on the dropdown menu and select “Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship.” Click “Create.”
- Fill out the application completely. You will see a green checkmark next to each complete section.
- When you are done, click on “Submit as FINAL.” Your application is not submitted and will not be processed until you complete that step!
Approved Coaching Programs
All programs below are offered virtually unless otherwise stated. While some programs may offer a year-long, three-part Certificate in Early Childhood Coaching, ECCLA’s Coach Credential Scholarship Program will only cover the cost of Part 1 which satisfies the eligibility requirements for an Early Childhood Coach Credential in PDIS.
Relationship-Based Professional Development
To receive a certificate of completion for RBPD, participants must complete the 35-hour hybrid training including attending the live instructor-led sessions and engaging in self-paced, online assignments.
Topics covered include: characteristics of coaching in early childhood settings, working with adult learners, coaching skills, reflective practice and tools to support the coach and coaching partner in continuous quality improvement.
The Colorado Community College System provides Relationship-Based Mentoring & Coaching Courses (EDU 2251 – 3 credits and EDU 2255 – 1 credit) to communities across the state.
To receive an academic transcript after completion of the courses, participants must attend all class meeting times and successfully complete homework and practicum work. These courses are offered in the Spring and Fall semesters from any Community College in the State of Colorado. While any college within the Colorado Community College System has the option to offer these courses, not all colleges do so every term. Currently, the colleges that consistently offer these courses are Red Rocks Community College (RRCC), Arapahoe Community College (ACC), Morgan Community College (MCC), and Northeastern Junior College (NJC). Some colleges may offer these courses in fully online, hybrid, or in-person formats. Please check directly with the college for specific course offerings and formats.
Mentoring is the process of supporting professionals to develop more effectively. Mentoring is a relationship designed to build confidence and support the mentoring partner so they are able to take control of their own development and work. Mentoring is listening and asking questions that will challenge the mentoring partner to identify the course of action they need to take in regard to their own development. These courses are offered in the Spring and Fall semesters.
Click here to view upcoming course offerings at RRCC, ACC, MCC, and NJC. Students must apply for admission at the college of their choice prior to enrolling in courses.
Coaching Certificate
Coaching Potentials provides a year-long Coaching Certificate virtually to communities across the United States.
To receive a certificate of completion for the Coaching Potentials Coaching Certificate, participants must complete the 90-hours of learning and 45 hours of practicum work. Cohorts meet virtually two Thursdays per month in the evening.
The Coaching Potentials Coaching Certificate Program supports the development of a coaching mindset embedded in a genuine, holistic approach, cultivated in a unified appreciation of continuous and mutual learning, and supported by an understanding of equity, behavioral sciences and systemic organizational practices.
The Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship will only cover Part I of the Three-Part Coaching Certificate. Part I satisfies the requirements of the PDIS Coach Credential Application. Participants are responsible for covering the remaining costs and are encouraged to apply for ECCLA’s TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship (under the Credential/Certificate Model) if financial assistance is needed. TEACH is currently placing new applications on a waitlist due to limited funding.
Interested candidates may enroll in one of the following cohorts:
Cohort 26 (August 2025 – August 2026)
Pyramid Facilitator Certificate
Healthy Child Care Colorado provides a ten-month Pyramid Facilitator Certification virtually to communities across the state.
To enroll in the program, interested candidates must submit an application and enrollment is not guaranteed after application. To receive a certificate of completion for the program, participants must be available to attend professional development events and select one observation tool to become reliable during the Certification process and plan to identify coaching partners for that tool/age group.
Pyramid Facilitator Certification is an intentional development pathway designed to support professionals in their efforts to improve and support the capacity of state systems and local programs to implement the Pyramid Model, an early childhood multi-tiered system of support to improve the social, emotional, and behavioral outcomes of young children, birth to five years of age.
Transformational Coaching
Horizons in Learning provides the Transformational Coaching Course virtually to communities across the United States.
This course format is designed to be delivered in 11 virtual live sessions. Each session is 3.5 hours. The sessions will be delivered over several weeks over a 2-3 month span of time. The course will be delivered via Zoom and Google. Participants will need to have access to devices/computers that have a camera. Interested candidates must review the course schedule prior to applying and registering. Participants will incur a $100.00 nonrefundable fee for withdraw or transfer after the course closing date. Participants will meet monthly on Tuesdays/Wednesdays/Thursdays from 9:30am – 1:00PM MST.
Transformational Coaching offers coaches, professional development specialists, mentors and leaders ‘principles to practice’ on how to effectively facilitate change, to broaden and deepen professional practices of educators or administrators, and intentionally support sustainable habits of reflection, problem solving and lifelong learning. This course is based on Constant Hine’s book Transformational Coaching for Early Childhood Educators (2019, RedLeaf Press).
Interested candidates may enroll in the following semester:
Summer 2025 – CANCELLED
Fall 2025 (October – December 2025) – Registration opens August 2025!
Registration is required both on the Horizons in Learning website and in PDIS.
Coaching Early Childhood Professionals: Foundations
Mosaic Mindset Consulting provides the Coaching Early Childhood Professionals: Foundations Course virtually to communities across the United States.
To receive a certificate after completion of the course, participants must attend all virtual class meeting times and successfully complete homework and practicum work. The course will be delivered via Zoom over a 4 month span of time and participants will need to have access to devices/computers that have a camera. Each of the eight Zooms sessions will be LIVE, fully synchronous. Participants can earn 3 undergraduate or graduate credits at the University of Colorado Denver for an additional fee not covered by the Coach Credential Scholarship. Participants will meet on Wednesdays from 4:00pm – 6:30PM MST.
The Coaching Early Childhood Professionals: Foundations course is a comprehensive class for new and experienced coaches, designed to enhance and expand each individual’s understanding and practice of research- and evidence-based coaching skills and strategies that leads to long-lasting and transformative change in themselves and others. Participants will actively practice the fundamentals of coaching using a systematic, individualized, reflective approach with others in class and through a practicum experience. Mosaic Mindset Consulting provides personalized support, ensuring that every participant feels valued and empowered.
Interested candidates may enroll in the following semester:
Fall 2025 (August – December 2025) – Registration open until August 29, 2025
Certificate in Early Childhood Coaching
The University of Colorado Denver provides a year-long three-part Certificate in Early Childhood Coaching virtually to communities across the state.
To receive an academic transcript after completion of the courses, participants must attend all virtual class meeting times and successfully complete homework and practicum work. There is one cohort per year that starts in the Spring semester and ends at the end of the the Fall semester.
Coaching has been shown to have a major influence on early childhood professional practice that, in turn, improves program quality and child growth outcomes in early childhood settings. Quality relationship-based teaching and learning is instrumental to positive early childhood experiences. The coach and coaching partner relationship focuses specifically on maximizing the human potential of professionals in the field. The Foundations course focuses on learning, understanding and using relationship- and evidence-based coaching skills in early childhood settings. Students will practice the fundamentals of coaching using a systematic, individualized, reflective approach, and sharing experiences with others in the course.
The Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship will only cover Course I: Foundations (ECED 4410/ECED 5410) of the Three-Course Coaching Certificate. Course I satisfies the requirements of the PDIS Coach Credential Application. Participants are responsible for covering the remaining costs if they wish to continue and are encouraged to apply for ECCLA’s TEACH Early Childhood® Colorado Scholarship (under the Credential/Certificate Model) if financial assistance is needed. TEACH is currently placing new applications on a waitlist due to limited funding.
Reflective Supervision
Thanks to funding from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), ECCLA has contracted with Reflective Supervisors and Consultants to provide free, group-based Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RS/C) to credentialed Early Childhood Coaches across Colorado. To maintain the Colorado Early Childhood Coach Credential, coaches must complete 45 hours of ongoing professional development and 24 hours of reflective supervision/consultation every three years.
Learn more about how ECCLA’s RS/C services can support this requirement.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Coaching in Early Childhood Education
What is coaching in early childhood?
Coaching is a relationship-based process led by an expert with specialized adult learning knowledge and skills, who often serves in a different professional role than the recipient(s). Coaching is designed to build capacity for specific professional dispositions, skills, and behaviors and is focused on goal setting and achievement for an individual or group.
What is reflective supervision?
Reflective supervision is a relationship-based approach that includes regular reflection and utilizes supervision as an opportunity for learning and development. Reflective supervision can take place individually or within a group setting, and encourages providers to reflect on their practices, assess and evaluate situations, and set goals. As stated by Zero to Three, the three building blocks of reflective supervision are reflection, collaboration, and regularity (2016).
What are the requirements of the Early Childhood Coach Credential in PDIS?
Aligned to the Colorado Competencies for Early Childhood Coaches, the Colorado Early Childhood Coach Credential provides statewide recognition to early childhood professionals who have the foundational skills and dispositions necessary for effective coaching in the early childhood profession. Credentialed Coaches participate in department-approved, coaching-specific training and engage in ongoing professional development with a trained reflective supervisor/consultant to maintain their coach credential. Professionals seeking an Early Childhood Coach Credential must:
- Complete a CDEC-approved coaching specific training
- Complete your Coach and Educator Self-Assessments in PDIS
- Complete your Individualized Professional Development Plan (IPDP) in PDIS by establishing at least two professional development goals
- Complete the Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and NeglectTraining in PDIS
- Apply for the Early Childhood Professional Credential 3.0in PDIS and earn a Level 3 or higher
- Apply for Early Childhood Coach Credential in PDIS
- The coach credential must be renewed within PDIS every three years. To maintain the credential, a coach must complete at least 8 hours of Reflective Supervision a year, which equates to 24 hours of Reflective Supervision needed by the renewal period
About ECCLA’s Coach Credential Scholarship Program
What are the eligibility requirements?
Eligibility requirements are listed above.
The Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA) is an equal opportunity scholarship provider. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, gender, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, military status, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in any of its activities or operations. Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are welcome to apply!
Can I apply if I already have my Early Childhood Coach Credential?
No. ECCLA’s Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship Program is for participants who have not already completed Relationship-Based Professional Development or another department approved coaching program.
Can I apply if I've already completed a coaching course?
This scholarship is for individuals who have not yet completed Relationship-Based Professional Development or another department-approved coaching program to earn their Initial Coach Credential. If you have already completed a course that qualifies for the Initial Coach Credential, you are not eligible for reimbursement for a second course. The scholarship supports first-time credentialing only and does not cover additional coaching courses.
What Coaching Program can I enroll in?
For available programs, see above. All programs are offered virtually unless otherwise stated. While some programs may offer a year-long, three-part Certificate in Early Childhood Coaching, ECCLA’s Coach Credential Scholarship Program will only cover the cost of Part 1 which satisfies the eligibility requirements for an Early Childhood Coach Credential.
Are all Coaching Programs fully funded through this scholarship?
No. Some programs offer a year-long, three-part Certificate in Early Childhood Coaching. ECCLA’s Early Childhood Coach Credential Scholarship Program will only cover the cost of Part 1 of these specific programs, which satisfies the eligibility requirements for an Early Childhood Coach Credential in PDIS. For available programs, see above.
Can the scholarship reimburse payments made by my employer or organization?
No. The scholarship can only reimburse participants who have personally paid for their Coach Credential Program. It does not cover payments made by employers or organizations. If your employer or organization has already paid for your course, we are unable to reimburse either the employer or the participant. The goal of the scholarship is to reduce personal financial barriers for individuals, and we encourage employers to support professional development in other ways.
Does this scholarship cover the EQ Infant Toddler Specialist Coach (ITS-C) Credential?
No, this scholarship only applies to coursework required for the general Colorado Early Childhood Coach Credential. The EQ Infant Toddler Specialist Coach (ITS-C) Credential is an additional, specialized credential that requires the general Early Childhood Coach Credential as a prerequisite. This scholarship does not cover coursework specific to the ITS-C Credential.
Does the scholarship cover renewal of coursework for a coaching program?
No, the scholarship does not cover renewal of coursework. There is currently no precedent for funding the renewal of coursework for coaching programs. The Early Childhood Coach Credential itself does not require renewing coursework—renewal is based on completing hours of professional development and Reflective Supervision/Consultation (RS/C).