StraighterLine, creator of affordable, flexible and career-aligned higher education courses, today acquired ChildCare Education Institute (CCEI), one of the largest online training providers for early childhood education professionals. announced.

Serving more than 87,000 teachers and staff in more than 6,200 childcare centers in 2021, the addition of the Early Childhood Education learning platform to training that will close perpetual talent gaps and create a pathway to economic mobility It reflects StraighterLine’s commitment to expanding access to

“As the pace of change in the labor market continues to accelerate, employers in rapidly growing sectors, from early childhood education to health care, are seeking new approaches to talent development that bridge the gap between learning and working. We are doing it,” said Heather Combs. , her CEO of StraighterLine. “This acquisition will help advance the promise of a flexible and affordable education that meets employer needs and helps more people pave the way to rewarding careers.”

Solutions to the Shortage of Early Childhood Education Professionals

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated staffing challenges, U.S. child care programs have long suffered from a shortage of qualified early childhood education and care professionals and high turnover rates. .

A 2021 study by the National Association for Early Childhood Education found that more than eight in ten early childhood providers are experiencing staff shortages, and half are serving fewer children as a result of employment issues. I was. Just this month, the Center for the Study of Childcare Employment reported that childcare employment is still down more than 8% since the start of the pandemic, even as the broader economy recovers.

Since its founding in 2005, CCEI has launched over 500 online child care training courses to meet state licensing and Head Start requirements. qualifications, and other continuing education options. CCEI also manages the RegistryOne workforce management system. It helps state agencies and regulators collect and maintain data on early childhood education.

Make educational pathways more flexible

CCEI President Maria Taylor said: “This acquisition is aimed at increasing lifelong learning opportunities that provide passionate individuals with flexible paths to their careers. We are happy to expand.”

The continued evolution of StraighterLine’s services is due to the fact that most Americans remain skeptical about the value of postsecondary education and its alignment with work. StraighterLine is best known for its low-cost, competency-based courses recommended by ACE Learning Evaluations, supporting learners by providing flexible and affordable pathways to their career goals.

Through partnerships with employers, including Bright Horizons FastTrack, learners can develop their skills while working on a schedule and pace that suits their needs.

Expansion through cooperation

The acquisition is the first step in StraighterLine’s plans to expand its course offerings, building on a major investment by BV Investment Partners in April 2020. To this end, District Capital Partners acted as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLP acted as legal advisor to StraighterLine. transaction.

straighter line is a leading provider of high-quality, affordable online courses that help learners earn college credits and achieve their professional goals. Each year, 150,000 learners take one of StraighterLine’s 215 courses to upskill for new careers or earn credits from her over 2,000 colleges and universities around the world. . StraighterLine works with educational institutions and corporate partners to provide flexible education options that allow students and employees to work and learn at their own pace.

Child Care Education Institute® provides high-quality distance learning certificate and parenting training programs in a variety of parenting settings, including preschool centers, family child care, pre-kindergarten classrooms, nanny care, and online daycare training. Over 500 hours of child care training courses available online in English and Spanish to meet licensing, certification program and Head Start requirements. CCEI also has an online certification program that provides coursework requirements for national certifications such as the CDA, Director and Early Childhood Qualifications. CCEI is a Council for Professional Recognition CDA Gold Standard™ Training Provider, accredited by the Distance Education Accreditation Commission (DEAC), accredited by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), and an Accredited Provider by International Accreditation Bodies. certified as. Continuing Education and Training (IACET).

Featured image: VectorPocket, iStock.