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Training – Education Equivalency

Meeting Washington’s Education Requirements

PACE: A Community-Based Path to Meeting Education Requirements

 

Washington State requires staff in licensed and certified child care programs to meet education requirements for their job role. PACE (Provider Access to a Community Equivalent) offers a way to meet them without traditional college coursework.

 

PACE is a state-approved, non-credit-bearing training series equivalent to Washington State Initial and Short Certificates. It is open to:

  • Family home licensees
  • Lead teachers in centaers and family homes
  • Assistant teachers in centers and family homes

 

If you pursue a college pathway after completing PACE, North Seattle College, Skagit Valley College, and Lower Columbia College offer options to earn credit for prior learning.

 

All trainings are instructor-led and virtual (not pre-recorded). LEARN MORE

 “I believe that this training has been very valuable, as it provides us with very useful tools to improve our daily work with children and families. The PACE program not only strengthens our skills as teachers and providers, but also opens doors for us to continue growing professionally within the field of early childhood education. I highly recommend that this type of training continues to be offered, as it benefits both the educators and the families we serve.” —PACE Participant

Imagine’s PACE program is high-quality and accessible for working providers

  • 11 trainers are fully approved to teach PACE and 5 trainers are in process to complete all PACE levels

  • 111 participants are currently enrolled

     

  • 55 PACE trainings in English, Somali, and Spanish

READY TO COMPLETE YOUR EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS?

Answer the questions below to see which trainings you need to complete and register today!

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MORE ABOUT PACE

 

PACE builds on required trainings to help you move more quickly toward your certificate. It includes:

  • PACE Part 1: The Field of Early Care and Education (ECE) consists of 20 training hours and 8 on-the-job learning hours.
  • PACE Part 2: Supporting Child Development and Wellness consists of 20 training hours and 12 on-the-job learning hours.
  • PACE Part 3: Guiding Behavior consists of 20 training hours and 10 on-the-job learning hours.
  • PACE Part 4: Child Development and Brain Science


PACE prerequisites include:

  • Child Care Basics (CCB)
  • Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL) Years 1 and 2

 

There are three vendors currently contracted to deliver PACE:

  • The Imagine Institute
  • Child Care Aware of Washington
  • Because it Takes a Village


All three organizations approach the work differently and may have different outcomes.


For more information on Education Equivalents and PACE, please visit DCYF’s website.

IMAGINE AND PACE

 

Imagine’s PACE program offers high-quality, accessible learning for working providers, led by professionals who know the work.

  • We provide office hours, accessible technology, and technical assistance to support learners throughout the course.
  • Imagine delivers PACE training in English, Somali, and Spanish.

PACE STATS FOR IMAGINE

  • 100% of English-speaking participants who completed PACE Part 1 went on to complete PACE Parts 2 and 3.
  • 100% of Spanish- and Somali-speaking participants completed PACE Part 2. PACE Part 3 is scheduled this fiscal year in those languages.
  • Imagine now has 11 trainers fully approved to deliver PACE, with 5 more currently working on approval.

WHAT PACE PARTICIPANTS HAVE TO SAY

 

  • 100% of participants agreed that the examples and illustrations were relevant to their practice
  • 100% of participants agreed that the content and instruction honored their learning style and culture
  • 100% participants agreed that the trainer clearly and completely addressed questions
  • 100% of participants agreed that that they could think of ways to enhance their work with children and families as a result of PACE
  • 100% of participant agreed that they were invested in learning from PACE
  • 100% of participants agreed that they would recommend PACE to their colleagues
  • 100% of participants strongly agreed that they could apply this information to the diversity of families they serve