Bunker Hill Community College Launches Spanish-Language Early Childhood Education Certificate
Wednesday, July 29, 2026
Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC) has launched a new, fully Spanish-language Early Childhood Development Certificate program, expanding access to higher education and career advancement opportunities for multilingual early childhood educators throughout Massachusetts.
The program is funded by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care's Higher Education Pathways for Multilingual Early Childhood Educators initiative, which supports colleges in developing academic pathways aligned with the state's forthcoming professional credentialing framework. The initiative helps multilingual educators earn industry-recognized credentials and strengthens the early childhood workforce.
BHCC's inaugural cohort includes 20 students who currently work in early childhood education settings. Students will complete a 16-credit certificate program offered in Spanish atthe college's Chelsea campus, with flexible in-person and remote learning options. Program tuition will be fully funded by the grant, and participants can receive English-language learning support to help them progress toward degree completion.
According to Corry Banton, BHCC's Director of Early Childhood Projects, the College's new Spanish-language certificate is believed to be the first fully matriculated academic program delivered entirely in Spanish at BHCC.
Bilingual and bicultural BHCC faculty members worked with a local professional translation company, Rosetta Languages, to adapt and translate curriculum materials while maintaining alignment with state credentialing requirements.
Upon completion, graduates will qualify to apply for Massachusetts teacher or lead teacher credentials, depending on their work experience, and may continue their education through BHCC's associate degree pathways.
The program reflects a growing statewide commitment to supporting multilingual educators and meeting workforce needs in early childhood education by removing language barriers to credential attainment and access to higher education.
About the Grant Program
The Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care's Higher Education Pathways for Multilingual Early Childhood Educators initiative supports accredited Massachusetts colleges in offering a 16-credit ECE Foundational Certificate in languages other than English. Participating institutions provide academic advising, credentialing support, and English language learning services to help multilingual educators advance along career pathways in early education.