MI-Infant and Toddler Caregiver Certificate
Michigan Infant and Toddler Caregiver Certificate (MI-ITCC)
Choosing to work with infants and toddlers is a very rewarding career! Infant and toddler educators are remarkable individuals who help children aged birth to three form strong bonds and attachments, develop their physical, emotional, and cognitive growth, and build partnerships with families.
The Michigan Infant and Toddler Caregiver Certificate (MI-ITCC) is a new certificate available to entry-level infant and toddler educators or those that have not yet pursued higher education for infant and toddler care or early childhood education. This certificate was created by the Early Childhood Investment Corporation (ECIC) and the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education Achievement and Potential (MiLEAP) to recruit, train, and retain professionals in all early learning settings, prioritizing child care and qualified infant-toddler lead teachers. The MI-ITCC is only available to those residing or currently employed in Michigan, who would like to enhance their qualifications working with infants and toddlers or may have an interest in working with infants and toddlers in the future.* The MI-ITCC is aligned to the Early Childhood Standards of Quality which define what infant toddler professionals need to know and be able to do to provide quality programming. Once achieved, the MI-ITCC will allow individuals to receive a Foundational Level Three on the MiRegistry Career Pathway.
Professional Pathway
Applying for the MI-ITCC is a commitment to professionalism in the early childhood field. The MI-ITCC has been created to help individuals like you be recognized for the inspirational work you do with infants and toddlers. Upon earning the MI-ITCC, and reapplying for MiRegistry Membership, educators will earn a Foundational Level 3 Career Pathway Level.
While earning your MI-ITCC, you will have opportunities for:
- Coaching
- Mentoring
- Professional development
- Career progression planning
- Shared learning
- Community building
- Discussing the issues impacting infant and toddler staff
Eligibility & Requirements
Individuals must have a high school diploma or GED OR be a junior or senior in a high school Career and Technical Education (CTE) program.
*This certificate is not available to those that have already completed an Infant/Toddler CDA, an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, Child Development, or a child-related field, or higher education with 3 or more credits in an infant and toddler related course.
Cohorts will run for a period of 5 months. During this time, participants will:
- Attend a Welcome Meeting
- Complete the Infant and Toddler Development and Care Practices 45-hour course
- Complete the Infant Safe Sleep for Child Care Providers training
- Attend One (1) Virtual Statewide Office Hour Session
- Attend Five (5) Virtual Individual Coaching Sessions
- Attend Four (4) Virtual Group Coaching Sessions
- Create a Professional Philosophy Statement
- Complete the Caregiver Reflection Tool
- Understand the NAEYC Statement of Commitment to Ethical Code of Conduct acknowledgment
- Submit the Completion Survey
To earn the certificate, participants must:
- Be/become a member of MiRegistry
- Complete the required trainings
- Complete the required statewide office hours
- Complete the required coaching hours
- Submit all documents related to career and professional development
Join a MI-ITCC Cohort
There will be multiple MI-ITCC cohorts running from February 2026 to June 2027. Space in cohorts is limited! Cohorts will focus on individuals that are currently completing and those that have already completed the 45-hour Infant and Toddler Development and Care Practices course. If you are interested, please complete the form below. Forms will be prioritized based on the date they are received.
After completing a form, you will be contacted within 10 business days to confirm it has been received. Forms are actively reviewed 1-2 months before the start of a new cohort. Cohorts begin in February 2026, August 2026, and February 2027. If you have any questions, please email infanttoddler@ecic4kids.org.
Statewide Office Hours
Statewide Office Hours will be a time to gather with other infant toddler educators from around the state of Michigan that are also completing the 45-hour training.
These both create an opportunity to build community and find out what others are doing in their classrooms. There will also be time to ask questions about the 45-hour training. Additional dates will be added throughout the year.
| Office Hours Date | Time | Link to Join |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, February 18 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET | Join Now |
| Wednesday, March 11 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET | Join Now |
| Wednesday, April 8 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET | Join Now |
| Wednesday, May 6 | 1:30-2:30 p.m. ET | Join Now |
| Thursday, June 4 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. ET | Join Now |
Resources
We offer resources to help you and your staff grow, develop, and better provide care for the children of Michigan. Local GSQ Resource Centers offer training on a number of topics related to child development, early childhood, business practices, and more.
Questions?
Contact us: infanttoddler@ecic4kids.org
This webpage was developed under a grant awarded by the Michigan Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential under section 32v of P.A. 103 of 2023.
Effective February 25, 2024, Michigan has removed the requirement to work with the Office of Child Support to receive help paying for child care. Check to see if you are now eligible!