Administration and Finance
Commissioner's Office
District Support
Educational Options
Instructional Support
Kaleidoscope Collective
Legal
Planning and Research
Strategic Initiatives
Student Assessment
Career Cluster Education
Early Childhood Education and Care students learn and practice the principles of high-quality early childhood programming. Training includes the fundamentals of child development, theories of early childhood education, teaching methods and professional standards defined by the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). This technical expertise is put into practice through supervised positions as early education and care student teachers.
Standards are critical areas of competency aligned to industry identified needs and Industry Recognized Credentials (IRCs) that will support student success in the field. Standards provide the structure that empowers the teacher to choose the best curriculum and instructional approaches to guide skill and knowledge development for students.
Industry Recognized Credentials demonstrate standards and skills that strengthen student access to careers upon graduation. Each framework identifies at least one essential safety and essential industry credential, with supplemental and specialized credentials identified to help expand opportunities. This framework is designed for students to gain insight, skills, and credentials necessary for success in this field, including a safety credential and one essential credential: OSHA 10 General Industry, First Aid Certification, CPR Certification, and EEC Certification, Infant, Toddler, or Preschool Teacher.
The following resources are provided to support educators in developing curriculum and delivering instruction related to this framework. For CTE Chapter 74 programs, instructors can refer to these resources in developing the 900+ hours of required learning time.
Math Lessons:
The following Math Lesson and Teachers Guide provide an illustration of how a specific math concept is used in the context of career application.
**Disclosure Statement: Reference in this website to any specific commercial products, processes, or services, or the use of any trade, firm, or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement or recommendation by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). Our office is not responsible for and does not in any way guarantee the accuracy of information in other sites accessible through links herein. Department of Elementary and Secondary Education DESE may supplement this list with other services and products that meet the specified criteria. For more information contact: ccte@mass.gov
Roles listed below are career pathways from the essential credentials identified in this framework. Current Jobs are the sum of those jobs in the workforce at the time of analysis, median wage reflects all wages for the job title, and new jobs are the number of newly created positions in the field year over year.
Qualified educators will hold a Career Technical Teacher License in Early Childhood and Care.
Last Updated: January 6, 2026