Frequently Asked Questions About Early Childhood Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions we received about early childhood Registered Apprenticeship.
General Information
What is an early childhood education Registered Apprenticeship program?
A Registered Apprenticeship program in early childhood education (ECE) provides a structured learning and mentorship experience to gain skills and knowledge necessary to become an effective early childhood educator.
In a Registered Apprenticeship program, employers guide and support individuals through paid work experiences, offering gradual increases in wages as they progress and gain skills. Alongside practical learning, participants engage in coursework directly relevant to ECE. Upon completion, they earn a credential recognized nationwide, setting them up for success in their ECE career.
What are the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship for early childhood education?
Early childhood education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs can provide systemic solutions for ECE workforce challenges, including:
- Increasing recruitment and retention of qualified staff in ECE programs.
- Expanding career opportunities for ECE staff who earn a nationally recognized credential.
- Equipping ECE staff with skills and knowledge through education, on-the-job learning, and mentorship that benefit children and families by improving the quality of an ECE program.
- Providing growth opportunities for seasoned ECE professionals in roles guiding and mentoring apprentices.
- Establishing wage scales in ECE programs and increasing wages as skills increase and credentials are earned.
For more information about the benefits of RA, check out these articles:
What is the difference between an internship, apprenticeship, and Registered Apprenticeship?
The table below shows the differences between internships, apprenticeships, and Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. RA programs are robust and because they utilize a federally certified model, the requirements are consistent across programs. When apprenticeship programs are registered, they can unlock and gain access to additional state and federal funding opportunities that unregistered programs aren’t eligible for.
The benefits listed in the table below may be included in some internships and unofficial apprenticeship programs but are guaranteed in U.S. DOL RA programs.
| Benefits of work-based learning programs | Internship | Apprenticeship | Registered Apprenticeship |
| On-the-job training | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Coursework | | ✓ | ✓ |
| Earn-and-learn | | | ✓ |
| Mentorship | | | ✓ |
| Access to state and federal funding | | | ✓ |
| Support from nationwide network of experts | | | ✓ |
| Nationally-recognized credential | | | ✓ |
How can Registered Apprenticeship expand career opportunities in early childhood education?
Early childhood education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs offer multiple opportunities for career growth. These programs are designed to cater to individuals at different stages of their journey in ECE. Apprentices can enhance their knowledge from on-the-job learning and ECE related coursework that aligns with their career goals and interests. They can attain nationally recognized credentials, such as the Child Development Associate (CDA) or state equivalent, or an academic degree, such as an associate or bachelor’s degree. Registered Apprenticeship programs can jumpstart careers, further professional development, and lead to a variety of professions in early childhood.
Take a look at our Career Opportunities Flyer to see what kinds of opportunities an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship could lead to.
Who is eligible to become an early childhood apprentice?
An apprentice is someone who would benefit from additional training, coursework, and credentialing. Typically, programs are a good fit for entry-level employees or current employees seeking to enhance their skills.
All Registered Apprenticeship programs have eligibility requirements, but the requirements vary by program. At minimum, the requirements often include…
- Minimum age
- Minimum education
- The ability to pass a criminal background check
- The ability to work within the United States
What is a program sponsor? What does a program sponsor do?
A program sponsor provides the overall management and structure of a Registered Apprenticeship program. While a sponsor can also be an employer, their primary role is to design, register, and manage the program, ensuring it meets industry standards and educational objectives. Sponsors coordinate between various stakeholders, including employers, educational institutions, and apprentices, and handle the program’s administrative aspects.
Sponsors can be a single business or multiple businesses. Examples include child care programs, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, professional associations, faith-based organizations, community, technical, or four-year colleges and universities, and community-based organizations.
What is the role of a mentor in an early childhood education Registered Apprenticeship program?
Imagine a coach and tour guide rolled into one, guiding an apprentice through the exciting world of early childhood education (ECE)! That’s the role of a mentor in a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program. They are there to:
- Coach apprentices to become confident and skilled early childhood educators.
- Provide ongoing support to apprentices and answer questions along the way.
- Be a role model for professional growth in ECE.
- Connect apprentices with opportunities to enhance their career in ECE.
Mentors will work with the apprentices during their time in the classroom or even outside of work hours, making sure the apprentices have the support they need to succeed! While not mandatory, mentorship is considered a best practice in RA programs. The Early Childhood Workforce Connector supports program sponsors and employers with mentor training and materials to create a robust support system for apprentices.
What is the difference between a mentor and a "journeyworker" in an early childhood education Registered Apprenticeship program?
Early childhood education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs often benefit from the combined support of two key people, journeyworkers and mentors.
Journeyworkers serve as role models and provide an example for the type of work an apprentice will learn to master themselves. They are fully qualified early childhood educators, demonstrating the skills and knowledge expected upon program completion. Apprentices gain valuable experience by working alongside journeyworkers in the classroom. They observe the journeyworker’s interactions with children, lesson planning, and classroom management techniques to learn how to perform these tasks themselves. As the apprentice starts to learn the responsibilities of a teacher in the classroom, they move from observing to doing to work themselves with guidance from the journeyworker. Each apprentice is required to have a journeyworker as part of the RA program.
Meanwhile, mentors focus on the apprentice’s individual growth journey. They provide personalized guidance, answer questions, and bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Interestingly, mentors may or may not be journeyworkers themselves; their coaching and support are what truly matter. Mentors are not required for RA programs, but are a nice additional support for apprentices to turn to.
Ultimately, both roles work in tandem to cultivate a supportive and enriching apprenticeship experience, preparing future ECE professionals to blossom in the field.
What is the apprentice to journeyworker ratio in Registered Apprenticeship programs?
Registered Apprenticeship programs are required to follow a specific ratio of apprentices to journeyworkers for supervision during on-the-job learning. The ratio of apprentices to journeyworkers is set in the Standards of Apprenticeship, which is developed by the program sponsor and approved by State Apprenticeship Agency or Office of Apprenticeship. Frequently, the ratio is 1:1, meaning a journeyworker must work one-on-one with an apprentice and can only supervise one apprentice working in the classroom at a time. This ensures that apprentices feel supported and learn as much as possible in the classroom.
Starting a Registered Apprenticeship Program
How can I start an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship program at my child care center?
There are two ways to establish a Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program.
1. Join an existing program
The first step is to see if there are already established RA programs (or sponsors) in your area that you can implement at your center. Contact your local apprenticeship office to learn what options are available to you.
2. Register a new program.
There are key steps to creating a new program and each state has specifications for registration of a new program. See the next question for steps for registering an apprenticeship program.
What does it take to register an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship program?
1. Select an early childhood occupation that you would like to register. Here are the currently approved occupations through the U.S. Department of Labor:
b. Early Childhood Teaching Assistant
c. Child Care Development Specialist
d. Early Childhood Education Director
2. Identify the partners that will be involved in the program.
b. Employer
3. Develop the Standards of Apprenticeship. These are the core components of the program and include:
a. Work process schedule (on-the-job training tasks) and related instruction (courses) outline (known as Appendix A)
b. Program type (time based, competency-based, or hybrid)
c. Minimum qualifications
d. Wage scale
e. Equal Employment Opportunity plan
f. Selection procedures
4. Submit the application and wait for program approval from the Office of Apprenticeship or the State Apprenticeship Agency.
Who approved early childhood Registered Apprenticeship programs?
Registered Apprenticeship programs are formally approved by either the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) or by a State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), based on the state the program is based in. The approval process is slightly different for each SAA state. To find out which approval system your state uses, visit www.apprenticeship.gov/about-us/apprenticeship-system.
Funding a Registered Apprenticeship Program
How much does an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship program cost?
The cost to administer and maintain an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship program is typically the responsibility of the sponsor. The range of costs can vary significantly depending on the structure of the program. Federal, state, and local offices that support workforce development and economic expansion, as well as community partners, can contribute funds to help reduce the sponsor’s cost. Costs include the following items:
• Related instruction (tuition, instructors, and books)
• On-the-job training (wages, materials, and training)
• Supportive services (mentorship, transportation, and stipends)
• Recruitment (marketing and website)
Costs vary from program to program. For example, sponsors may provide the related training instruction in-house or by partnering with a local community college.
What funding opportunities are available to help cover the costs of developing and maintaining an early childhood Registered Apprenticeship program?
Early childhood Registered Apprenticeship programs may be eligible for federal, state, or local funding opportunities to help offset the cost of program development and maintenance. You can search for active grants and contracts funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to help promote and expand apprenticeship.
In addition to exploring government grants and contracts, it’s also worthwhile to investigate alternative funding sources for early childhood education initiatives, such as private foundations, corporate sponsorships, and community partnerships. These avenues can provide supplementary financial support to complement government funding, fostering sustainable growth and accessibility in early childhood development programs.
If your questions aren’t answered here, please reach out to us at info@ecwconnector.org.
Learn More
For more information about how the Early Childhood Workforce Connector can help you, please email us at info@ecwconnector.org.