Apprenticeships

Overview

The child care shortage in the United States is due in large part to the child care and early learning professional workforce shortage. Too many professionals have left the sector for higher wages and better benefits, while providers struggle to keep doors open and pay minimum wage to their employees. 

Quality child care and early learning programs rely on educators with specific knowledge and skills. To recruit and retain quality educators, some states have instituted child care and early learning Registered Apprenticeship programs that combine classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training.

These apprenticeship programs provide an accessible way for educators to acquire the knowledge and skills they need, along a pathway to the credential or degree needed to advance their career, ultimately improving program quality and workforce stability.