From Struggle to Security: How Child Care Apprenticeships Offer Workforce Solutions

Background

The U.S. child care industry is struggling to attract and retain workers due to low wages, limited benefits, and the demanding nature of the job. Many early childhood educators earn wages that are often below a livable income, making it difficult to sustain a career in the field. Additionally, limited opportunities for professional growth and recognition contribute to high turnover rates, leaving providers constantly understaffed. The industry also faces challenges in competing with other sectors offering higher pay and less stress. These systemic issues impact the quality and availability of care, exacerbating the nationwide shortage of child care providers, already at historic lows, as more and more facilities are forced to close their doors.

What is a Child Care Apprenticeship Program?

A child care apprenticeship program is a structured, employer-driven training model that combines paid on-the-job learning with formal coursework to build skills and credentials in early childhood education. Apprentices earn while they learn, gaining hands-on experience under the guidance of qualified mentors while completing aligned academic or professional training. These programs help participants achieve recognized industry credentials, such as a CDA Credential™ or college degrees, and support workforce development by addressing skill gaps, improving job retention, and offering pathways for career advancement

The Importance of Child Care Apprenticeship Programs

Child care apprenticeships are an effective tool in addressing the workforce crisis in early childhood education by providing accessible, practical solutions to critical challenges in the field. Apprenticeships create pathways for individuals to enter and grow in the profession by offering hands-on training, mentorship, and access to credentials or degrees, all while earning a salary. These programs help reduce barriers such as cost, time constraints, and lack of support for non-traditional learners, making them an effective strategy to build a skilled, diverse, and stable workforce. By linking professional development to wage increases and career progression, apprenticeships foster retention and elevate the status of early childhood educators, ensuring children receive high-quality care and education.

Outcomes States Hope to Achieve with Child Care Apprenticeship Programs

States aim to achieve several outcomes through child care apprenticeships including:

Improved Workforce Quality: By preparing early educators with advanced skills and credentials, states enhance the quality of care and education provided to young children.
Retention and Recruitment: Apprenticeship programs incentivize workers to remain in the field by offering wage increases, career advancement opportunities, and supportive learning environments.
Economic Mobility: Participants benefit from upward career trajectories, contributing to broader efforts to professionalize the Early Childhood Education (ECE) workforce and reduce turnover rates.
Diversity and Inclusivity: Apprenticeships provide opportunities for underrepresented populations to enter and thrive in the field, fostering a more equitable workforce.

Considerations for Implementation

When implementing child care apprenticeship programs, several factors must be addressed such as:

Employer Engagement: Employers must actively support apprenticeships by offering mentoring, professional development, and wage increases tied to skill benchmarks.
Program Alignment: Coursework and on-the-job training must align with state and national competency standards for early childhood educators.
Funding and Resources: States need robust funding mechanisms, such as grants or federal initiatives, to subsidize tuition, provide stipends, and ensure program sustainability.
Mentorship Models: Effective mentorship is crucial, requiring training for mentors and manageable mentor-to-apprentice ratios.
Accessibility: Programs must address barriers such as access to transportation, childcare, and preparatory courses for non-traditional learners.
Stakeholder Collaboration: Partnerships with higher education institutions, community organizations, and state agencies are essential for successful program development and operation.

State Examples

Colorado: The Child Care Development Specialist Apprenticeship, administered by Red Rocks Community College, combines 4,000 hours of on-the-job learning with 306 hours of education aligned with state competency standards. Participants can accelerate their qualification process, benefiting from employer-provided mentorship and wage increases.

Indiana: Indiana’s Early Childhood Educator Registered Teacher Apprenticeship Program offers a comprehensive pathway for students to enter and advance in the field of early childhood education. The program integrates classroom instruction with hands-on training and direct employment. The apprenticeship consists of three tiers of related instruction, each guiding apprentices toward earning a credential or degree: a high school diploma, an associate’s degree, and a bachelor’s degree. Participants receive wages during their on-the-job training, with increases as they master competencies and earn credentials.

New Jersey: The New Jersey Early Childhood Apprenticeship Pilot Program is focused on expanding the number of child care staff with the Infant/Toddler Child Development Associate (CDA) certification and increasing the capacity of the infant and toddler workforce across New Jersey. For the pilot, NJ has committed to supporting up to 20 licensed child care centers to employ up to a total of 20 full-time apprentices across the state. Participating centers will receive up to $15,000 to support on-the-job training, mentorship and wages of the apprentice. Additionally, the apprentices’ educational requirements will be supported through the NJ Scholarship Program as they pursue their CDA. It is estimated that most apprentices will complete the requirements of the program within 18 months. NJ has successfully registered the apprenticeship program with the US Dept of Labor

Pennsylvania: The goal of the Pennsylvania Registered Apprenticeship Early Childhood Career Pathway is to assist employed early childhood education professionals move beyond the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential to attain an ECE associate (AA) or bachelor’s (BA) degree and to earn higher wages. Apprentices are offered educational support and coaching throughout the process. Relevant work experience and prior learning counts towards credit release, which expedites the process to complete the degree.

Vermont: The VT Association for the Education of Young Children (VTAEYC) and the VT Department of Labor collaborate to offer the Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program for early childhood educators seeking education and experience in the field. Apprentices build competencies and skills through supervised on-the-job training, complete a specific sequence of 6-7 college courses, and participate in additional community-based training to gain the knowledge and skills needed to work more effectively.

West Virginia: The Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) program is the nation’s longest running child care apprenticeship program. The ACDS is a partnership between the United States Department of Labor, River Valley Child Development Services, and early childcare programs throughout the state. The ACDS program is designed as a blend of classroom instruction and work experience. The ACDS program consists of four semesters: each 15 weeks long and between 3200 and 4000 work experience hours.

Conclusion

Child care apprenticeship programs offer a promising solution to the challenges facing the early childhood education workforce. By creating pathways for career advancement, fostering inclusivity, and addressing systemic barriers, these programs support the recruitment and retention of skilled professionals. Through state-driven efforts, apprenticeships can elevate the quality of child care while empowering educators with the tools and resources they need to thrive. In doing so, these programs ensure that children receive the nurturing and educational experiences necessary for their development, securing a brighter future for families and communities alike.