Early Learning Apprenticeship Program
Get Paid Work Experience and a Rewarding Career in Preschool or Childcare
The Santa Clara County Office of Education offers a new and exciting Early Learning Apprenticeship program with two distinct areas of focus for your career development:
- The
Center-Based Program, in partnership with Mission College.
Application for the next cohort will open soon!
- The
Family Childcare Home Program, in collaboration with De Anza College, which begun in April 2025. Applications are now closed. Stay tuned for information on the next potential cohort.
Program Benefits
- Paid work experience
- Free college coursework and books
- Cohort learning at a community-based location and virtually
- Courses provided at convenient times, on a weekday evening or a Saturday morning
- Mentoring and tutoring
- Earn an
Associate Teacher permit and be eligible for positions in the early care and education field working with young children.
Eligibility Requirements
- At least 18 years of age
- Enjoys working with ethnically, racially, and economically diverse communities
- Do NOT currently hold an Associate Teacher permit
- Have NOT completed any of the four courses offered by the Apprenticeship program:
-
Child Growth and Development
-
Introduction to Curriculum
-
Child, Family, and Community
-
Principles and Practices of Teaching, and Infant and Toddler Development.
- Able to complete community college coursework in English, with support
- Able to complete a minimum of 28 hours per week of paid work experience in the field of early learning
- Meet basic physical requirements, fingerprinting, and background check
- TB clearance and proof of immunization (licensing requirements)
-
Have the necessary documents to work in the United States
*Note:
- The Family Childcare Home Program is only for employees of home-based childcare centers
- There is no wage support
How to Enroll into the Early Learning Apprenticeship Program
The process involves the following steps:
- Complete the
Interest Form linked below
- Attend an
Information Session on Zoom
- Pass the eligibility screening
- Interview with potential employers in the field of early learning
- If passing the interview and finding an employer, enroll in one of the programs at Mission College or De Anza College.
If you are interested in the program, please complete the
Interest Form below to connect with us . Once you complete the form, we will be reaching out to you with more information.
Complete Interest Form
Upcoming Information Sessions
Currently, there are no information sessions scheduled. Stay tuned for upcoming information.
Contact Us
For more information and any questions you may have, contact:
