What is the Early Education Apprenticeship Program?
What is the Early Education Apprenticeship Program?
The Early Education Apprenticeship (EEA) program is the first of its kind in the Heart of Texas region offering a career pathway for child care providers and aspiring early educators in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone and McLennan counties. EEA offers paid on-the-job-learning, college coursework, and one-on-one coaching in an early childhood classroom.
Other benefits may include: wage increases, milestone stipends, and earning up to 15 credit hours at McLennan Community College (MCC) within 12 months. In some circumstances, prior work experience and college credit hours will be accepted in substitute for EEA requirements.
The Early Education Apprenticeship (EEA) program is the first of its kind in the Heart of Texas region offering a career pathway for child care providers and aspiring early educators in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone and McLennan counties. EEA offers paid on-the-job-learning, college coursework, and one-on-one coaching in an early childhood classroom.
Other benefits may include: wage increases, milestone stipends, and earning up to 15 credit hours at McLennan Community College (MCC) within 12 months. In some circumstances, prior work experience and college credit hours will be accepted in substitute for EEA requirements.
Our first cohort of 14 apprentices graduated in 2024. Applications are now open for our third cohort. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 14.
> On-the-job training with college credit embedded (15 college credit hours from MCC)
> Earn-while you-learn with wage increases during the program
> Earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, a MCC Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Level I certification, and a Department of Labor (DOL) certificate upon program completion
> Gain relevant workplace skills through on-the-job learning
> Advance your career without sacrificing income
> Live in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone or McLennan county
> Must be 18 years of age or older
> Hold a high school diploma or GED
> Hold a current driver's license, state ID, birth certificate or work visa (required of non US citizens)
> Working at least 30 hours/week in a Certified Texas Rising Star infant, toddler or preschool program
> Be in good standing at MCC or previously attended college (if applicable)
> Program director recommendation
> Sign a Department of Labor agreement
> Support development of a highly-skilled workforce
> Increase teacher recruitment and retention
> Improve overall program quality and maintain Texas Rising Star and national accreditation
> Grow your own early childhood leaders
> Foster increased job satisfaction
> Certified Texas Rising Star child care provider in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone or McLennan county
> Good standing with state Child Care Regulation (CCR)
> Allow mentors on site to work with apprentices
> Agree to incremental wage increases for apprentices
> Complete bi-annual evaluation of apprentices
> Sign a Department of Labor agreement
The Early Education Apprenticeship is provided in partnership by:
The Early Education Apprenticeship is provided in partnership by: