The NC Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate Exam is another pathway option comparable to a NC Early Childhood Credential.

This exam introduces the foundations of culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive early childhood education, planning intentional developmentally appropriate experiences, learning activities, and teaching strategies for indoor and outdoor environments for all young children, guidance techniques, and professionalism.

Questions include: 

Theoretical foundations, national early learning standards, NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development, state regulations, program types, career options, professionalism, ethical conduct, quality inclusive environments, guidance techniques, and curriculum responsive to the needs of each child/family.

 Upon completion, students should be able to implement developmentally appropriate environments, guidance techniques, schedules, and teaching strategies across developmental domains to support culturally, linguistically, and ability diverse children and their families in inclusive settings and design a personal career/professional development plan.

 Student Outcomes:

1.     Identify effective tools that support culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive learning for early education and development.

2.     Demonstrate developmental knowledge and appropriate practices to create healthy supportive and challenging indoor and outdoor learning environments that meet the needs and support culturally responsive, equitable and inclusive practices of diverse children and families.

3.     Understand the domains, subdomains, goals and guiding principles of the NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development.

What are the criteria to take the equivalency exam option?

• at least 18 years of age or older
• a high school diploma or equivalent

• DCDEE staff

What does this certificate equate to?

• Once someone passes this exam, they will receive a North Carolina Early Childhood Equivalency Certificate. This certificate is equivalent to a North Carolina Early Childhood Credential and will qualify the individual to be a lead teacher in an Early Childhood Classroom.
• Once you receive your Certificate, you need to go to Workforce Online Reporting and Knowledge System (WORKS). It is a single portal of entry for workforce education to collect, report, and track child care workforce information needed to support education requirements. You need to upload your certificate to your account. If you do not have an account, you need to create one. https://dcdee.works.nc.gov/
• If you have any questions regarding this test, please use this email: DCDEE.Equivalency.Exam@dhhs.nc.gov

*Please note that there will not be any professional development hours or contact hours given after taking and passing this quiz.