Early Education Apprenticeship

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

Apprentice Benefits

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

Apprentice Requirements

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 in a 3 or 4 star Texas Rising Star certified infant, toddler or preschool program
Program director recommendation

Program Information & First Steps

The second EEA cohort begins June 3, 2024, and runs through July 2025. 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
Submit a Program Director Recommendation (form must be completed by director, not apprentice).

Spring 2024 Apprentice Timeline

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 3 or 4 Star 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.

Early Education Apprenticeship Staff

Have questions? Send us an email or give us a call at the numbers provided below!

Amanda Castro, Program Coordinator
McLennan Community College
Phone: 254.299.8789
Email: acastro@mclennan.edu

The Early Education Apprenticeship is provided in partnership by: