TECTA offers a variety of free professional development opportunities to strengthen the leadership skills of child care administrators and to improve the quality of child care and education programs.

TECTA is dedicated to nurturing the next generation of educators, empowering them to seamlessly transition into the world of early childhood education. Our program ensures a solid foundation with college tuition support for high school students completing Career & Technical Education (CTE) ECEC I and II classes through the TECTA Orientation Equivalency initiative, specialized High School Child Development Associate® (CDA) Credential^TM guidance, and practical learning and confidence through our Pre-Apprenticeship Program.

The Tennessee Child Care Online Training System (TCCOTS) powered by ProSolutions offers free training for all early childhood education professionals, from new educators to program directors and administrators. TCCOTS is available at no cost to Tennessee residents. The course catalog includes training in Child Development and Learning, Health, Safety and Nutrition, Leadership and Professionalism, Organizational Development and Administration, and more. All courses are also available in Spanish.

The Tennessee Early Childhood Program Administrator Credential (TECPAC) is an academic program designed for child care program directors. Training is provided through the Administrator Academy, a competency-based program that blends curriculum training with business and management education. Training begins in the Administrator Academy and ends with a professional portfolio and assessment on the Program Administration Scale (PAS) or Business Administration Scale (BAS).

TECTA offers a statewide Infant/Toddler Credential for caregivers of children birth to age three. Participants engage in a structured program encompassing the TECTA Infant/Toddler Orientation, a blend of hybrid training modules, creation of an online portfolio, accompanied by personalized coaching, reflective observations, and collaborative peer learning opportunities.

You are eligible for TECTA support if you:

• Are currently employed or volunteering on a regular basis at a Tennessee state-licensed early care and educational program
• Are currently a high school student enrolled in ECEC courses
• Have completed a TECTA Orientation, or have completed High School ECEC I and II courses that have been approved by TECTA as equivalent to a TECTA Orientation
• Have declared a major in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a related degree program and have earned 3 credits of early childhood course work
• Have enrolled in ECED courses or have completed ECEC I-IV and dual enrollment ECED courses at the secondary level and are looking for assistance with obtaining a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential^TM