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Pr​ogram Details

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Center-Based Apprenticeship Program — offered through the SCCOE Educator Preparation Programs — is a paid pathway into early childhood education, ​designed for aspiring educators who want to earn credentials without the cost or the wait.

Developed in collaboration with Mission College, this program offers tuition-free community college education and paid on-the-job training for individuals interested in teaching and childcare career pathways.

Apprentices complete four required courses at Mission College — one per semester, held one evening per week — alongside 2,000 hours of paid work experience in a local center-based preschool or early learning setting. Throughout the program, participants receive mentorship from experienced ECE educators, weekly mentor meetings, monthly check-ins with their center director, and ongoing tutoring and coaching aligned with ¹û¶³´«Ãº credentialing requirements.

At the end of the program, apprentices graduate with an eligibility for an Associate Teacher’s Permit, debt-free tuition, with real classroom experience and a career in early education.

​P​ROGRAM SUMMARY​:

• ​ Location: Mission College
  
• Length: 4 semesters  (1 course per semester)
  
• Class Schedule: One evening per week
  
• Credential Pathway: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
• Mentorship: Provided by experienced ECE educators​
  

Financial Assistance​â¶Ä‹ & Employment

Participants in the ECE Center-Based Apprenticeship Program receive comprehensive financial and employment support:

• Tuition and textbooks for all required classes are fully covered.
  
• A ¹û¶³´«Ãº residency requirement may apply for college: participants must have lived in ¹û¶³´«Ãº for at least one year and one day and be able to provide proof of residency.​
  
• ​Apprentices earn paid, on-the-job hours as part of a state-registered apprenticeship, completing 2,000 paid hours toward program completion.​
• Wages increase as apprentices demonstrate new skills and progress through the program.​
  

Apprenticeship Placements

Apprentices gain hands-on experience by working in local ECE Center-Based settings ​while enrolled in the program at Mission College.

Weekly mentor meetings and monthly check-ins with the center director help connect classroom learning with real-world routines and practices in early learning settings.

Who are the Best Candidates for this Program?

The Early Childhood Education Center-Based Apprenticeship Program is ideal for individuals who:

• ​â¶Ä‹â€‹ Represent and reflect the languages and cultures of the diverse families they serve.
• Come from underrepresented or underserved communities and seek a clear, supported pathway into the Early Childhood Education profession.
  
• Have a passion for working with young children and are ready to commit to a consistent schedule of work and study.
  
• Have not yet completed the 12 required ECE units ​needed for an Associate Teacher Permit.​
  

Eligibility​ Requirements

To qualify for the Early Childhood Education Center-Based ​Apprenticeship Program, applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Be ​â¶Ä‹at least 18 years old.
  
• Enjoy working with children and families from ethnically, racially, and economically diverse communities.
• Do not currently hold an Associate Teacher Permit.
• Have not completed any of the following four required courses offered through the Apprenticeship Program: ​(1) Child Growth and Development, (2) Introduction to Curriculum, (3) Child, Family, and (4) Community, and Principles and Practices of Teaching, and Infant and Toddler Development​.​
• Be able to complete community college coursework in English, with tutoring and language support available.
  
• Be employed (or eligible for employment) in the early learning field, with a minimum of 28 hours per week of paid work experience.
• Meet licensing and health requirements, including fingerprinting, background check, TB clearance, and proof of immunizations.
  
• Have valid authorization to work in the United States.​