Early Childhood High School Apprenticeship

ECE RTAP instruction aligns with the Early Childhood Pathway within the Next Level Programs of Study (NLPS) and includes a combination of high school and dual-credit college courses. Apprentices will earn a minimum of nine college credit hours but can earn up to 15 credit hours before graduation. Principles CTE Concentrator A CTE Concentrator B Pathway Capstone Principles of Early Childhood Education Early Childhood Education Curriculum Early Childhood Education Guidance Early Childhood Education Capstone ECE RTAP focuses on developing apprentices' knowledge, skills, and abilities. These are known as competencies, and they represent what a person needs to be able to do to meet the demands of the profession.

ECE RTAP has been cross-walked with post-secondary credits and credentials leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, technical certificate, associate degree, and bachelor's degree. Students do not need to earn each of these; they can go straight to a four year institution after high school.

Classroom Support Specialist Certificate

The Classroom Support Specialist Certificate (CT) provides a strong entry point into the field of early childhood education, equipping apprentices with foundational knowledge and practical skills for supporting young children in classroom settings. This certificate is awarded upon completion of ECED 101 Health, Safety, and Nutrition and ECED 104 Supportive Interactions and Behavior Guidance, two courses designed to build essential competencies in child well-being, positive relationships, and effective behavior guidance strategies. Ideal for those new to the field or seeking to begin a pathway of stackable early childhood credentials, the Classroom Support Specialist Certificate helps prepare learners for meaningful, supportive roles in early learning environments.

Child Development Associate Credential

Through ECE RTAP, apprentices can earn a CDA Credential. CDA is a nationally recognized credential that certifies individuals as competent educators in early childhood education. It is administered by the Council for Professional Recognition and is often considered a stepping stone for those seeking to advance their careers in early childhood settings, such as preschools, centers, and family childcare homes. In Indiana, a CDA Credential is the foundation for teaching requirements in an early care and education environment. It should be noted that earning a CDA is not a requirement for completing ECE RTAP, and it does not preclude apprentices from earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education.

Technical Certificate in Early Childhood

The Technical Certificate (TC) in Early Childhood builds on foundational early childhood knowledge to prepare apprentices for expanded roles in high-quality early learning environments. Designed for individuals who have earned or are working toward a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential, this 30-credit certificate deepens understanding of child development, curriculum planning, family engagement, assessment, and developmentally appropriate practices. As a stackable credential, the Technical Certificate serves as the foundation for Ivy Tech's Associate of Applied Science and Associate of Science degrees in Early Childhood Education, allowing apprentices to continue advancing their education while strengthening the knowledge and skills needed to support the learning and development of young children.

Mentors are crucial in supporting and guiding apprentices. They are experienced professionals with a deep understanding of early childhood education and a passion for nurturing the next generation of educators.

Mentors are essential to the success of our apprenticeship program. They provide apprentices with the guidance, support, and encouragement to develop into confident and competent early childhood educators.

Not only do apprentices earn a wage while completing their on-the-job training, they also receive progressive wage increases as their skills and knowledge increase, and they achieve milestones. All apprentices earn at least $11 per hour; some employers may pay even more. Upon mastery of 15 of the 30 competencies and six dual credits earned, they will receive a $0.50 per hour wage increase. Once all 30 competencies have been mastered and the apprentice has earned nine credit hours, they will receive a second $0.50 per hour wage increase.