What is the Early Education Apprenticeship Program?
The Early Education Apprenticeship (EEA) offers 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.
Applications and inquiries from early learning programs and early childhood educators are now being accepted.
What is the Early Education Apprenticeship Program?
The Early Education Apprenticeship (EEA) offers 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.
Applications and inquiries from early learning programs and early childhood educators are now being accepted.
FOR PROGRAM DIRECTORS
FOR APPRENTICES
FOR HOST SITES
FOR PROGRAM DIRECTORS
FOR APPRENTICES
FOR HOST SITES
> On-the-job training with college credit embedded (15 college credit hours from MCC)
> Earn-while you-learn with wage increases during the program
> Upon completion, earn Child Development Associate (CDA) Level I and Department of Labor (DOL) certificates
> 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 Texas Rising Star certified infant, toddler or preschool program
> Program director recommendation
> 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
> Texas Rising Star certified child care provider in Bosque, Falls, Freestone, Hill, Limestone or McLennan county
> Good standing with state child care licensing
> 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
Program Information & First Steps
The first EEA cohort begins Monday, July 10, and runs through June 2024. Currently, the program offers a track for infant, toddler and preschool educators.
Upon completion of the program, apprentices will earn a Child Development Associate (CDA), Level I, and Department of Labor (DOL) certificates. The 15 college credit hours can then be applied to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development at McLennan Community College, which is a 60-hour degree program. Apprentices will also have the option to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies at Tarleton State University through the MCC University Center.
To be considered for the program, you must first:
- Meet the basic eligibility requirements listed above;
- Complete the Apprentice Application; and
- Submit a Program Director Recommendation (form must be completed by director, not apprentice).
2023 Apprentice Timeline
Applications Open
The apprentice applications are now open! Ready to apply? Make sure you meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
- Live/work 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 (non US citizens will be required to upload a copy of their current work visa to the application);
- Work at least 30 hours/week in a Texas Rising Star certified infant, toddler or preschool program; and
- Submit a Program Director Recommendation Form (This form must be completed by your current program director. You will be asked to add your director’s name and email in the application. An email will automatically be sent to your director requesting that they complete the recommendation form.)
After we receive your application and director’s recommendation form, our staff may contact you for additional information and to schedule an interview.
Have questions? Email us now.
| Apply Now |
Deadline to Submit Applications
Apprentice applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST. If you need assistance with completing an application, please email us.
Interview Process Begins
All applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted for an interview if selected. Interviews will be conducted from May 15-19.
Apprentice Selection Notifications
Our staff will contact each interviewed applicant to confirm whether or not they were selected to participate in the program.
Deadline to Enroll at MCC
Selected apprentices not enrolled at McLennan Community College by June 9 will be removed from the EEA program. Students must be assigned an advisor prior to enrolling in courses. If you are not a current student at MCC, you must first apply for admission. Need help? Email us.
| Enroll/Apply at MCC |
Summer Classes Begin
Classes for the first EEA cohort begin at MCC! Apprentices who already hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification will begin classes in the fall (August 21). Have questions or need immediate assistance? Need help? Email us.
First Steps
The first EEA cohort begins Monday, July 10, and runs through June 2024. Currently, the program offers a track for infant, toddler and preschool educators.
Upon completion of the program, apprentices will earn a Child Development Associate (CDA), Level I, and Department of Labor (DOL) certificates. The 15 college credit hours can then be applied to the Associate of Applied Science degree in Child Development at McLennan Community College, which is a 60-hour degree program. Apprentices will also have the option to earn a Bachelor of Applied Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies at Tarleton State University through the MCC University Center.
To be considered for the program, you must first:
- Meet the basic eligibility requirements listed above;
- Complete the Apprentice Application; and
- Submit a Program Director Recommendation (form must be completed by director, not apprentice).
Apprentice Timeline
Applications Open
The apprentice applications are now open! Ready to apply? Make sure you meet the following minimum eligibility requirements:
- Live/work 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 (non US citizens will be required to upload a copy of their current work visa to the application);
- Work at least 30 hours/week in a Texas Rising Star certified infant, toddler or preschool program; and
- Submit a Program Director Recommendation Form (This form must be completed by your current program director. You will be asked to add your director’s name and email in the application. An email will automatically be sent to your director requesting that they complete the recommendation form.)
After we receive your application and director’s recommendation form, our staff may contact you for additional information and to schedule an interview.
Have questions? Email us now.
| Apply Now |
Deadline to Submit Applications
Apprentice applications must be submitted by 11:59 PM CST. If you need assistance with completing an application, please email us.
Interview Process Begins
All applications will be reviewed and applicants will be contacted for an interview if selected. Interviews will be conducted from May 15-19.
Apprentice Selection Notifications
Our staff will contact each interviewed applicant to confirm whether or not they were selected to participate in the program.
Deadline to Enroll at MCC
Selected apprentices not enrolled at McLennan Community College by June 9 will be removed from the EEA program. Students must be assigned an advisor prior to enrolling in courses. If you are not a current student at MCC, you must first apply for admission. Need help? Email us.
| Enroll/Apply at MCC |
Summer Classes Begin
Classes for the first EEA cohort begin at MCC! Apprentices who already hold a Child Development Associate (CDA) certification will begin classes in the fall (August 21). Have questions or need immediate assistance? Need help? Email us.
Early Education Apprenticeship Staff
Have questions? Send us an email or give us a call at the numbers provided below!
Debbie Allen, Project Manager
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com
Amanda Castro, Program Coordinator
McLennan Community College
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com
Our Staff
Have questions? Send us an email or give us a call at the numbers provided below!
Debbie Allen, Project Manager
Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com
Amanda Castro, Program Coordinator
McLennan Community College
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com
The Early Education Apprenticeship is provided in partnership by:
The Early Education Apprenticeship is provided in partnership by: