Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program

The Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program prepares students to work in the field of Early Childhood Development Students will gain general knowledge and on-the-job learning in early childhood education topics enabling them to obtain a California Child Development Teacher Permit and meet the standards set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children for appropriate teaching practices in early learning settings. These courses are aligned with the California Early Childhood Curriculum Alignment Project (CAP) which means that your courses are transfer-ready and consistent with statewide guidelines for preparation of early childhood education.

We currently have plans to run 3 consecutive cohorts of approximately 25 each for a total of 75 in the first two years.  This may vary for part-time students. 

In addition, the program has 2 primary goals: 

• Demonstrate a knowledge of early childhood curriculum, program practices, and the development of young children.
• Apply for and receive a Child Development Center permit

The apprenticeship program requires students to complete 24 units of Child Development coursework as well as 16 units of General Education; creating a pathway for students to continue beyond these requirements allows for a clear path to a bachelor's degree and allows the apprenticeship to be a starting point for many education and career paths.

Course	Title	Units	Year/Semester (Y1 or S1)
APCD 107	Child Growth/Dev	3	S1
APCD 110	Child/Fam/Comm	3	S1
APCD 108	Observation/Ass.	3	S2
APCD 221	Living/Diverse Soc.	3	S2
APCD 111B APCD 116 APCD 205 APCD 298A	Principles/Curr Infant Toddler Growth and Development Intro to children from special populations  Practicum in Early Childhood Programs	3 3 3 3.5	S4 S3 S5 S6

Beginning review

Santiago Canyon college has applied for the same program. No other program in Orange County exists.

25 apprentices per year; may vary based on full-time or part-time students