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 California 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​​ & 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 California residency requirement may apply for college: participants must have lived in California 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:

• ​​​ 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 ​​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.​