What is the VT Child Care Apprenticeship Program?
The VT Child Care Apprenticeship Program (VCCAP) is a training program for people in the field of early care and education. It matches mentors with people newer to the field and includes both on site support and traditional classroom instruction.

Who are the apprentices?
Apprentices are child care employees who are less experienced than the mentors, are usually assistant teachers, individual aids, paraprofessionals, etc...Like the mentors they commit to participate and complete the apprenticeship program

How long is the apprenticeship program?
VCCAP follows the tradition of all Department of Labor (DOL) registered apprenticeship programs. All DOL registered apprenticeship programs combine supervised on-the-job training with formal training. Child care is a 2 year apprenticeship program and includes 6 tuition-free college courses (18 college credits!). Apprentices are full time workers and will therefore complete 4,000 hours of formal mentor supported on-the-job training.

How do I find an employer that will sponsor me as an apprentice?
There are 2 ways you can explore potential employers that have participated in sponsoring child care apprentices. You can go find a list online at www.labor.vermont.gov and follow these links:  “job seekers”, “apprenticeship”, “apprenticeship sponsors” and finally, “child care sponsors”. This will give you the listing of all employers who have supported apprentices in the past 4 years. You can also check the ‘Meet the Participants’ section of the VT Child Care Industry and Careers Council website to see where apprentices are currently employed or which programs have supported successful apprentices.

How much does it cost to be part of the Child Care Apprenticeship Program?
As of July 1, 2011 all apprentices, mentors and employers must pay a $25/year membership fee to the VT Child Care Industry and Careers Council to be part of the apprenticeship program.

What is the role of the VT Child Care Industry and Careers Council?
The VT Child Care Apprenticeship Program is managed through the efforts of the VT Child Care Industry and Careers Council (VCCICC), a statewide, not-for-profit organization in collaboration with the VT Department of Labor. VCCICC blends state and federal funding, private foundation and community grants, to pay for the college courses that are offered to benefit apprentices and the child care workforce.

I have heard about the apprenticeship classes. Can anyone take these classes?
Anyone working with young children included but not limited to, family child care providers, assistant teachers, individual assistants, head teachers, after-school teachers and program directors are welcome to apply for enrollment in these classes. Courses are offered tuition-free, on a first come, first serve basis, after enrollment of the child care apprentices. Non-apprentice students pay a $75 application fee for each course. Course cycles are rotated around the state to provide access to higher education in various geographical areas.

Who qualifies to be an apprentice?
Apprentices come from a variety of backgrounds. Typically they are individuals new to the field and/or individuals who have not had a formal education in early childhood. All must have a willingness to commit to a 2-year training program.

Apprentices:

• Are employed and work a minimum of 30 hours per week
• Work in a licensed or registered child care program or Department of Education Setting
• Have a High School Diploma or GED
• Commit to on the job training with a qualified mentor for support, observations and assessment
• Earn 18 college credits, tuition-free, through six (6) tuition-free college courses, one offered each semester, over a 2 year period.

What courses are offered?

• Communication in the Early Childhood Education Workplace (COM 1015)
  
• Infant Toddler Development and Care (PSY 2020)
  
• Development of the Young Child: Ages 3-8 (PSY 2025)
  
• Curriculum Development for Early Childhood Education (EDU 2045)
  
• Program Management for Early Childhood Education (EDU 2042)
  
• Leadership, Mentoring and Supervision for Early Education Practitioners (EDU 2041)

What other benefits do apprentices receive?

Apprentices:

• Receive textbooks for courses at no charge
  
• Access local training opportunities such as First Aid and CPR
  
• Are paired with a mentor at their worksite
  
• Participate in group meetings as organized by the VCCAP
  
• Gather all the tools needed to complete their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential after one year in apprenticeship.

What do I get for completing the Child Care Apprenticeship Program?
At the completion of the training program, apprentices receive a Certificate of Completion from the VT Department of Labor for the trade of Child Care Development Specialist. This professional credential that is recognized nationwide as a Standard of Quality! Through the Northern Lights Career Ladder, completed apprentices are at Level IIIa, one step beyond the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

In the State of Vermont Early Childhood Program Licensing Regulations: a person holding this Certificate of Completion, with two years of relevant experience, is qualified to be Director for programs serving 59 or fewer children and/or a Teaching Associate.

Who are the mentors?
Mentors are experienced head teachers, assistant directors, program coordinators, directors, etc. who have agreed to provide guidance and support to the apprentice. Mentors have extensive experience working with young children. Typically they have a minimum of an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field. They are willing to provide ongoing support, on-the-job mentoring and perform weekly assessments with an apprentice.

Mentors:

• Have the experience and education to enable them to be a good role model
  
• Want an opportunity to share their experience and expertise with a co-worker
  
• Commit to the 2 year training program, which includes formal observations and weekly meetings
• with your apprentice to discuss your observations
  
• Participate in a one day training offered at no charge
  
• Participate in support activities as organized in their regions

What do I get for being a Mentor?
The appreciation for a job well done and growth as leader in your profession!

Up to $100 in scholarship funds per year for professional development.

You will have been instrumental in helping a co-worker (and yourself) through a professional journey of examining best practice as you work with young children.

Can I have a mentor who doesn’t work for my employer?
To meet US and VT Department of Labor requirements, Apprentices and Mentors must work in the same regulated child care program or Department of Education setting for assessment of on the job skills and guidance through this professional journey and have the support of his/her employer to participate.

What is the employer responsibility?
Employers:

• Must have, on site, mentors willing to work closely with less experienced staff (and vice versa)
  
• Must be committed to the process of ongoing professional development for their staff members
  
• Should think carefully about who (from your program) would be a good match for this on-the-job training program
  
• Must assure adequate time for the team of apprentice and mentor for on-the-job support, including weekly observations and/or assessment meetings
  
• As prescribed in the Standards of Apprenticeship, employers document regular increases in wages for the apprentice during and upon completion of the 4000-hour training program

What are the benefits to the child care employer?
Benefits to the child care employer include an opportunity for staff to build a strong and open relationship through the training program. Participants will engage in reflective practices, which will enhance staff’s quality over time.

How Do I Join the Apprenticeship Program?
Request a meeting to review the Standards of Apprenticeship by calling Sue Ryan (802) 985-2700. The 4 Options will be discussed at that time and paperwork left for apprentices, mentors and employers to complete. Mail your Statements of Interest, as well as any additional material requested, from the apprentice, mentor and sponsor with any supporting documentation that is requested to VCCICC, 145 Pine Haven Shores Rd., Suite 2001, Shelburne, VT 05482. This will prompt formal enrollment of apprentices, with the VT Department of Labor. Orientation will continue following formal enrollment.

What programs can participate in the Apprenticeship Program?

Option 1
A regulated program that has been awarded national accreditation

Qualifications for mentors to include, at a minimum, those with a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, those who have successfully completed apprenticeship program or equivalent experience/education, with support and approval from employer. (All mentors must have the support and approval of their employer)

Option 2
A regulated program that has submitted NAEYC/NAFCC self study materials

Qualifications for mentors to include, at a minimum, those with a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, those who have successfully completed apprenticeship program or equivalent experience/education, with support and approval from employer. (All mentors must have the support and approval of their employer)

Option 3
A regulated program, that has received a rating of 3 STARS *** or higher, through Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System or a Department of Education setting.

Qualifications for mentors to include, at a minimum, those with a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential, those who have successfully completed apprenticeship program or equivalent experience/education, with support and approval from employer. (All mentors must have the support and approval of their employer)

Option 4 (to include all other regulated child care programs)
Application needs to include 3 references from community members, such as parents, your local resource development specialist or the director of an accredited child care program. 

Recommendation: the mentor has a minimum of an Associate Degree for sites that do not meet the above (Option 1, 2 or 3) criteria.

Option 4 programs are encouraged to contact the various projects that are in place in Vermont to support documentation of quality settings for children.
Licensed Centers: Sonja Raymond for information about NAEYC accreditation
Licensed Homes: Laura Butler 893-7501 for information about NAFCC accreditation
Licensed Centers and Homes: LouAnn Beninati and/or Johanna Vaczy, (802) 398-2037 regarding Vermont’s Step Ahead Recognition System

All Options: A site visit will be done prior to registration of apprentices. Programs will have no (unaddressed) serious violations in the last 12 months, or history of recurrent violations, as defined through the Child Development Division Licensing regulations.

Vermont Child Care Industry & Careers Council. All rights reserved.
Revised: 10/21/11