Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate

The Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program will ensure that candidates obtain the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary to provide positive classroom environments and learning experiences for children birth to five. This high quality teacher preparation program supports the efforts and mission of Louisiana Believes thus learning how to prepare students for kindergarten. Effective teaching and evaluation methods will be discussed as well as the development of children and the educational aspects and CLASS™ knowledgeable. Candidates will learn the role of a lead teacher in a high-quality child care center, thus demonstrating how to build and maintain successful early childhood education programs. The program will also offer insight into the role of federal and state governments in child care as well as accreditation and licensing in Louisiana. Graduates will have gained the knowledge of best practices and positive guidance reflected by CLASS™ observation scoring. You’re Meant to Make a Difference in Young Lives – Start Today and Inspire Classrooms of Little Minds in as few as 5 Months! Big impact starts with little learners. Early childhood education is essential for shaping a child’s future, and with Unitech Training Academy’s Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program, you can play a key role in that journey. This program can be completed in less than 5 months and includes real-world training and experience at Unitech’s For My Child Learning Centers, serving children from 6 weeks to 5 years old. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on learning, you’ll build the knowledge and skills needed to qualify to apply for the Early Childhood Ancillary Teaching Certificate. Early childhood caregivers play a crucial role in shaping positive experiences and creating environments where children can grow and thrive. At Unitech, we focus on teaching students about key learning milestones and how infants and children develop through play and meaningful connections with their caregivers. A child's early years have a lasting impact on their physical, social, and emotional growth. When children are supported by caring, nurturing relationships with parents and providers, it promotes healthy development and reinforces positive growth. Our Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program is offered at our Alexandria and Lafayette campus locations.

• GED or high school diploma required
• Hybrid class schedule
• Dedicated exam prep classes to ensure certification readiness
• Financial aid options available to those who qualify

Unitech Training Academy’s Early Childhood Education program equips you with the knowledge and skills needed to start a rewarding career in early childhood education. Through a hands-on learning approach and comprehensive training at both Unitech and For My Child Learning Center, you’ll be prepared to provide meaningful guidance to children and their families in a variety of early learning settings. With the support of experienced instructors, you’ll gain practical insights that will set you up for success in the field and making a positive impact on young learners.

Whether you’re considering a career shift or just starting out, Unitech’s Early Childhood Education program is the ideal way to begin your path toward a fulfilling future! This program is designed to provide you with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to foster positive learning environments for children from birth to age five. You’ll learn about childhood development milestones, practice effective teaching techniques, and gain insight into the role of a teacher in a high-quality childcare center – all taught by instructors with extensive industry experience.

In our Early Childhood Education program, you’ll gain a deep understanding of child development and learn how to create a nurturing, supportive environment for young learners. Through hands-on experience at our For My Child Early Learning Centers, you'll gain valuable insights into building and maintaining successful early childhood education programs, while also exploring government regulations, accreditation, and licensing in Louisiana childcare. As you work in the classrooms at Unitech and complete your required field hours at For My Child, our instructors will be there to support you every step of the way. Our Early Childhood Education program will empower you to jump into dynamic, hands-on work with children, helping them grow, learn, and thrive in nurturing environments. You'll be ready to make a meaningful impact on their development and create positive, engaging experiences for little learners. At Unitech Training Academy, you’re never just a number—and you’re never alone. No matter what program you’re in and whether you’re learning on campus in Louisiana or online across Louisiana, Mississippi, or Alabama, you’ll have real instructors, hands-on training, and a team that’s with you from day one. Our programs are designed to be efficient and focused, helping you build career-ready skills without wasting time. Unitech Training Academy was granted a license by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education on April 24, 1997, beginning with one program, Certified Nursing Assistant. It is licensed by the Louisiana State Board of Regents and has been accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education since June 2003. Its main campus is in Lafayette, with branch campuses in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Houma, New Orleans and West Monroe.

Anyone interested in enrolling should contact the nearest campus to schedule an appointment. Requirements for admission:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Hold a valid high school diploma or equivalent (GED or valid home school credential).
• Successfully complete an admissions interview with appropriate personnel.
• Foreign high school credentials must be verified as equivalent to a U.S. high school credential by an agency approved by the institution.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency with official scores on TOEFL Essentials (8.5 or higher), TOEFL iBT (79 or higher), IELTS (6.5 or higher) or PTE Academic (53 or higher).

Online and hybrid students must have internet connectivity and a computer meeting the school’s requirements: preferably less than 5 years old, a valid email address, color monitor, speakers or headphones, 4 GB of RAM, 1 GB of free disk space, a broadband connection (DSL or cable recommended), the Chrome browser with cookies and JavaScript enabled and pop-up blocker off, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and word processing software (Microsoft Office preferred; OpenOffice and Google Docs are acceptable).

Catalog schedule. Day Session: Training will be delivered in-person from 8:30am until 1:30pm Monday through Thursday. In addition, a total of 5 hours of distance education must be completed between Friday and Sunday. Estimated time to completion: 5 months. Evening Session: Training will be delivered in-person from 5:30pm until 8:30pm Monday through Wednesday. In addition, a total of 11 hours of distance education must be completed between Thursday and Sunday. Estimated time to completion: 6.25 months.

By campus, the program page lists:

• Day (Alexandria, Lafayette): Monday-Thursday on campus - 8:30am-1:30pm; Fridays are virtual; 20 hours on campus, 5 hours virtual weekly; Can be completed in 5 months
• Evening (Alexandria, Lafayette): Monday-Wednesday on campus - 5:30pm-8:30pm; Thursdays & Fridays virtual; 9 hours on campus, 11 hours virtual weekly; Can be completed in less than 7 months

Campuses. Unitech’s Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program is offered at the Alexandria and Lafayette campuses.

Format. Unitech’s hybrid programs are offered at our six physical campuses across Louisiana, blending the structure of in-person learning with the flexibility of online coursework. Students attend campus 3 to 4 days a week, depending on whether they’re in a day or evening program (evening availability may vary by campus), while virtual assignments and hours are completed independently and due each Sunday. The online portion of the program is designed to reinforce what you learn in class—helping you solidify your knowledge and apply it confidently in hands-on settings. With a structured schedule and instructor guidance, you’ll stay on track while building skills that translate directly into the real world.

Tuition: $4,755.00; registration: $150.00; lab equipment: $95.00; total: $5,000.00.

Career Services. Unitech provides career services for all graduates who seek employment. Services may include employment orientation before graduation (interviews, resumes, appointments, dress, appearance and applications), help with applications and employment forms, efforts to provide interviews with prospective employers, contacts with employers to identify job openings, and information about employment opportunities with local, state and federal agencies.

The program pages describe how Career Services works with students:

• Admissions Tours and Early Engagement: Career Services partners with Admissions during campus tours to introduce support resources such as resume help and job placement assistance.
• Orientation Presentation: during orientation, students learn how Career Services will support them throughout their program.
• Midpoint Assessment and Career Planning: around the program midpoint, students complete a career assessment that coordinators use to guide personalized planning.
• Resume Development: resume building begins 60 days before graduation, with templates and one-on-one support.
• Mock Interviews and Professionalism Coaching: before clinicals, students take part in mock interviews and receive feedback.
• Professional Seminars and Career Development: students attend four seminars on job readiness, professionalism, and workplace expectations.

Unitech Training Academy cannot guarantee or promise employment; however, reasonable efforts will be made to assist the student in securing employment. Who will be hired depends on the employer, who is influenced by factors such as training, character, attendance/punctuality, personality traits, appearance, work ethic, dependability, and the ability to easily converse with others.

Entering a career as an early childhood educator requires a solid understanding of child development, classroom learning styles, and hands-on experience with young children. In the Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program, you will gain both the knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed in real-world roles, including:

• Planning & leading age-appropriate activities and lessons
• Supervising children’s playtime & educational activities
• Supporting children's emotional, social, & cognitive development
• Communicating with parents about children's progress & needs
• Creating & maintaining a safe, clean learning environment
• Observing & assessing children's development
• Managing classroom behavior & fostering positive relationships

After completing the Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program with us, you will have the skills and competence gained to apply for the Early Childhood Ancillary Teaching Certificate, which is required for all lead teachers in publicly funded centers. We currently offer the only technical diploma in the state that is approved by the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

You can start training today to pave the way for a successful career as an early childhood educator, and discover the benefits of:

A Rewarding Career: You’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on young children's lives by fostering their development and providing essential guidance in educational settings.

Career Advancement Opportunities: Early childhood educators can expand their skills and specialize in areas such as special education, child development, or program coordination, offering numerous opportunities for growth and continued education.

There is a hands-on practicum required for this program and for certification, giving students the opportunity to work directly with young children in a real early learning environment. Unlike other programs, students don’t need to search for an externship site—Unitech’s own For My Child Learning Center provides a built-in, supportive setting to complete these 120 hours of practicing hands-on, real-world childcare and instruction. This experience not only helps students build confidence and connections but ensures they’re prepared for the realities of the classroom from day one.

Our Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate program prepares students to lead and support young learners in licensed childcare centers. The hands-on time at For My Child is especially valuable, allowing students to work with real little learners in authentic care and classroom settings—developing practical skills in behavior guidance, daily routines, and age-appropriate learning activities. Students also gain experience in child development, classroom management, and creating nurturing, engaging environments where children can thrive.

Orientation and support. All new students complete an orientation session before the start of class; orientations are conducted online and students are allotted two days to complete them. Instructors offer individualized tutoring on request, with before- and after-school assistance available.

Graduation. Candidates for graduation complete all program requirements with a minimum GPA of 2.00 within 1.5 times the standard program length, meet the minimum skill requirements, complete any required externship, return school property and fulfill all financial obligations. A diploma is awarded on completion.

Clinical rotation/externship. Clinical rotations/externships are an integral part of training in applicable programs and are subject to the same academic and attendance policies. Sites must be approved by Unitech, and some may require additional background checks, drug screens, TB tine, hepatitis vaccine and current CPR certification. Students must be prepared to travel; the school attempts to assign sites within a 60-mile radius, and students are required to attend 100% of required clinical hours.