Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) is leading the way in early childhood education by leveraging the Prop 207 Early Care and Education Workforce Development Grant to strengthen Arizona’s early education pipeline. As the only college in the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) prioritizing the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, PVCC is building a stronger, more prepared workforce.
Awarded a three-year MCCCD Early Care and Education Workforce Development grant, PVCC’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Program focuses on coordinating existing but disconnected resources into a supportive and unified community of practice. This network helps students navigate their educational pathways, earn the nationally recognized CDA credential, and launch or elevate their careers in early childhood education.
“PVCC’s Early Care and Education project is designed to recruit and retain members of the early care and education workforce, to address this crisis as well as support the other MCCCD workforce development initiatives,” explained PVCC ECE Faculty Director Christie Colunga. “Without a stable system of child care and education, other workforce initiatives may face failure as young children are left vulnerable in an unstable, patchwork system of care and MCCCD students are left to worry about their child’s well-being instead of focusing on the learning at hand.”
The CDA credential, a nationally recognized certification for early childhood educators, is built directly into PVCC’s degree programs. Students gain both academic credit and a professional credential that significantly enhances their qualifications. PVCC goes beyond coursework to offer comprehensive support and innovative, hands-on experiences that help students grow into confident, capable early childhood professionals.
“PVCC has been amazing in helping me earn my CDA and associates degree,” said ECE student Katie Carter. “I was given step by step guidance in how to sign up for classes, apply for scholarships, take my CDA test, and create an account with the CDA council.”
Working side by side with students are ECE instructors and advisors Sena Ceklic and Matthew Logelin, who Colunga says “are the glue that holds it all together.”
“I learned so much throughout the program that I am now able to apply it to my work, and I understand how and why we teach, guide, direct and redirect children the way that we do,” Carter added. “I also learned a lot about what a great classroom environment looks like and why it is important for students.”
Creating Supportive Pathways and Real-World Experiences
This commitment is especially timely, as Arizona continues to struggle with early education access and quality. According to a May 2025 report in The Arizona Republic, only 4 percent of Arizona’s 4-year-olds were enrolled in public preschool during the 2023–24 school year—well below the national average of 35 percent, as reported by the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER) at Rutgers University. Arizona meets only three out of NIEER’s 10 benchmarks for high-quality preschool programs.
PVCC is working hard to change that narrative. Since its inception in 2000, the ECE program has offered a transformative educational experience rooted in constructivist, progressive teaching theory and practice. Students benefit from a wide range of transdisciplinary learning experiences that extend far beyond the classroom, including:
- Communities of Practice and Collaborative Planning Committees
- Summer Studios and Learning Seminar Series
- Study Groups and Intercultural Encounters through PVCC’s International/Intercultural Education Program
These offerings provide future educators valuable insight, critical thinking skills, and real-world applications they can take directly into the classroom.
And the impact of earning a CDA is clear. According to a 2023 survey by Hanover Research of 5,000 CDA holders:
- 87 percent said the credential made them feel better prepared for the classroom
- 73 percent found it beneficial to their career
- 51 percent reported a pay increase after earning the CDA
- 80 percent of child care center owners/directors were more likely to hire someone with a CDA
- 79 percent believe the CDA makes teachers more effective
PVCC is using the Prop 207 grant to amplify these outcomes—connecting students with mentors, creating meaningful pathways, and helping shape a more equitable and capable early childhood education workforce in Arizona.
For more information about PVCC’s Early Childhood Education Program, CDA credential opportunities, and how to get involved, visit our website or email [email protected].