Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA)

Phone: (901) 333-5541
Fax: (901) 333-5750
Elizabeth Wilson, Program Director

The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance (TECTA) is a statewide training and professional recognition system created to support and enhance the qualifications of early childhood education personnel. It is based on the belief that all early childhood and school age care personnel need to acquire recognized professional knowledge and skills to provide appropriate care and education for young children. The primary goal is to improve early childhood education statewide by providing early childhood personnel with access to affordable training and education.

TECTA: Improving Child Care through Education

TECTA is improving child care for more than 33,500 children every year in Shelby and Fayette Counties. The Tennessee Early Childhood Training Alliance provides professional training for child care workers, including college-level and continuing education, professional development, scholarships, textbooks and educational incentives.

Acknowledged as a statewide training and professional recognition system, TECTA works on the premise that affordable quality programs for preparation of early childhood education personnel are the key to improving the daycare facilities where children spend much of their formative years.

College Education / Promotion of CDA

TECTA offers scholarships for four courses offered at Southwest Tennessee Community College in early childhood education. These courses provide the education necessary to apply for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. They are part of the A.A.S. degree program at Southwest. Additionally, TECTA offers financial assistance for students who pursue an early childhood degree.

Staff Training

TECTA offers 20 Orientation training series per year in 5 focus areas:

infant/toddler care
center based care
family child care
school age care
child care administration

These orientation sessions offer 30 hours of training in each of the specialty areas. The orientation sessions are approved as training for DHS continuing education hours and are a part of the star rating report card.

Who Is Eligible for TECTA Training?

Tennessee residents working in a registered or licensed child care facility in Shelby and Fayette counties are eligible to participate in TECTA training programs. Students must be 18 and have a high school diploma or GED.

For more information on the TECTA program, call (901) 333-5534.

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