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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

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FOR PROGRAM DIRECTORS

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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:

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:

 

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

Debbie Allen, Project Manager

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com

Amanda Castro, Program Coordinator

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
Debbie Allen, Project Manager

Workforce Solutions for the Heart of Texas
Email: eeainfo@hotworkforce.com

Amanda Castro, Program Coordinator
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:

Offices & Centers Closed | Workshops & Orientations Canceled

FEBRUARY 18, 2021

Our workforce centers and administrative offices are closed Thursday, Feb. 18, due to inclement weather. All events, including virtual workshops, orientations, tax preparation and other in-person appointments, have been canceled. If you have questions, please email us at questions@hotworkforce.com, and our staff will respond as soon as possible.