The Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program offers a uniquely supportive opportunity for early educators to learn while they earn. Apprenticeships are paid positions, offering progressively increasing wages to apprentices based on progress towards educational goals and structured on-the-job learning. 

Apprentices develop competencies as early educators through two interconnected modes of learning – college coursework at Durham Tech in Early Childhood, and structured on-the-job learning under the guidance of a mentor teacher. Apprentices receive a full scholarship to earn an Associate Degree from Durham Tech, with tuition, books and fees 100% covered. Meanwhile, mentors support apprentices to apply the knowledge and theory that they are learning in their coursework to their day-to-day work with children, practicing these news skills to enhance their everyday interactions, interventions, and instruction with Durham’s youngest children.

As a Registered Apprenticeship Program with the U.S. Department of Labor through ApprenticeshipNC, apprentices are required to demonstrate proficiency of competencies (skills) across 11 domains. The teaching competencies are based on guiding standards for the early childhood profession, including NC Foundations for Early Learning and Development and NAEYC Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators. Mentors observe apprentices in their work with young children and provide reflective feedback and coaching to help apprentices grow as educators. 

The Durham Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Program is an initiative of Durham PreK, sponsored by Child Care Services Association, that seeks to build the capacity for high quality early education in Durham County. By partnering with 23 child care centers in Durham County, the apprenticeship program is able to support teachers in these centers to earn a free degree, a nationally recognized credential through the U.S. Department of Labor, higher wages, and enhanced capabilities as an early education professional. 

The program will celebrate and welcome our newest cohort of educators during our Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship Signing Day on Wednesday, November 20, 2024 from 6pm-7pm at Durham Tech. Celebrate with us!

Current or aspiring early childhood educators can learn more about the program here.