UNC CHEETA |

Welcome to UNC CHEETA!

The UNC Chapel Hill Early Educator Training Academy (CHEETA) is an accelerated three-week course designed for new early education professionals to gain in-depth instruction on health and safety and other key areas of early childhood development. There is no cost to apply or participate in CHEETA. Participants engage in a blend of virtual and in-person learning experiences.

The goal for CHEETA is to meet NC Division of Child Development and Early Education’s (DCDEE) objectives to expand access to high-quality early learning programs, support workforce development, and strengthen the economic infrastructure by enabling parents to remain in the workforce.

MORE INFORMATION COMING SOON!

Students who successfully complete CHEETA receive:

Health and safety training gift bag
Continuing education units (CEUs) from UNC Chapel Hill and a certificate of completion
Training and technical assistance on the following:
- CPR/First Aid
- Health and Safety in Child Care
- Infant/Toddler Safe Sleep and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (ITS-SIDS)
- Playground Safety
- Recognizing and Responding to Suspicions of Child Maltreatment
- The Infant/Toddler and Early Childhood Environment Rating Scales (ITERS-3 / ECERS-3)
- North Carolina Foundations for Early Learning and Development
- North Carolina Early Childhood Credential (NCECC) and Child Development Associate (CDA)
- Obtaining a DHHS Criminal Qualifying Background Check

Calendar

Academies launch in 2026

Who Should Apply

Applicants must:

Be age 18 or older
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be interested in a career in early childhood education (ECE)
Have not completed the trainings listed above

Requirements

Students must commit to participating in all training provided by UNC CHEETA, including:

Online, teacher-led instruction
On-demand, independent learning
In-person learning, locations TBD

APPLICATION

This webpage is supported by Grant Number 90TP0133-01-00 from the Office of Early Childhood Development within the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Neither the Administration for Children and Families nor any of its components operate, control, are responsible for, or necessarily endorse this webpage (including, without limitation, its content, technical infrastructure, and policies, and any services or tools provided). The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Administration for Children and Families and the Office of Early Childhood Development.

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