The Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System is dedicated to raising the standard of child care across the state. By supporting early childhood professionals in advancing their education, training, and careers, Pathways ensures that children and families benefit from high-quality care.
Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System
Pathways empowers child care providers by:
- Offering scholarships and financial support for professional training and higher education
- Tracking training hours and maintaining career development records for child care professionals
- Recognizing and rewarding the achievements of early childhood educators
Why Join Louisiana Pathways?
Becoming part of the Louisiana Pathways system allows you to:
- Choose professional development opportunities that build long-term career pathways—not just meet licensing requirements
- Access approved training outside of secondary and higher education that strengthens your core knowledge and skills
- Meet state licensing and Quality Start requirements with training that is meaningful, engaging, and directly relevant to your role
- Gain continuity of instruction that connects daily classroom experiences to proven best practices in early childhood education
With Louisiana Pathways, early childhood professionals receive the resources, recognition, and career support they deserve while helping to improve the quality of care for Louisiana’s children.
Enrollment information
We have provided the necessary FILLABLE PDF forms to submit. (Download the .pdf file then select the open or save option.) Downloading the form will allow you the opportunity to type your information into the form(s) and print for signatures.
(We are not accepting electronic signatures at this time). Research has documented the importance of raising the community’s perception of the importance of work with young children. The Louisiana Pathways system rewards and recognizes both caregivers and administrators.
Administrator Track
The Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System Administrator Track recognizes you as a professional in early childhood climbing the Administrator career ladder helps you to have the skills and knowledge to operate a quality other early childhood program.
When child care centers fail, it is often because the administrator does not have the necessary skills to budget, supervise staff, and manage the many other tasks involved in running a highly regulated business. Receiving such training will help you be sure that you are prepared for the daily activities required of a child care center director.
Teacher Track
(For Lead Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Lower Level Staff)
The Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System recognizes you as a professional. Enrolling in the system enables you to receive recognition and rewards along with personal satisfaction of improving your skills in working with young children. The requirements of the Louisiana Pathways System lead to the nationally recognized Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or other approved credentials, diplomas, or certificates. Being a part of the system helps you chart your progress and select training to ensure that you have a well-rounded background in skills while you work toward the CDA or CDA renewal.
Family Child Care Track
(Registered Family Home Providers)
The Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System recognizes you as a professional. Enrolling in the system enables you to receive recognition and rewards along with personal satisfaction of improving your skills in working with young children. The requirements of the Louisiana Pathways System lead to the nationally recognized Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) or other approved credentials, diplomas, or certificates. Being a part of the system helps you chart your progress and select training to ensure that you have a well-rounded background in skills while you work toward the CDA or CDA renewal.
Scholarships
For information on Louisiana Pathways scholarships, choose from the following:
School readiness tax credits
School Readiness Tax Credit Requirements for Teachers and Directors
Trainer Approval System
The Trainer Registry is a component of Louisiana Pathways Early Learning Center Career Development System and the Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations. The registry identifies individuals who have been reviewed and approved to provide training and continuing education clock hours to Early Learning Center staff in Louisiana.
