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Courses are offered on weekday evenings while you are employed in an ECE center-based setting.​

Mission Community College Sample Sequence:

1. ​â¶Ä‹Child, Family, and Community (3 units) — Spring 2025
2. Child Growth and Development (3 units) — Fall 2025
3. ​Infant and Toddler Development (3 units) — Spring 2026
4. Introduction to Curriculum (3 units) — Fall 2026​

​Our program offers a supportive, hands-on pathway to advance your career in early childhood education. Participants benefit from:
​

• Earn-and-learn structure – gain real job experience while completing college coursework.​
• Paid work experience through a registered apprenticeship.​
• Tuition-free classes and textbooks, plus access to study groups, tutoring, mentoring, success coaching, and translation services (as availa​ble).
  
• Cohort-based learning ​with peer support and community partners who assist with placement and ongoing support.
  
• Convenient class schedule – all courses are held on weekday evenings â€‹to accommodate working learners.
• ​Clear course sequence and expectations, with guidance to help apprentices stay on track and succeed (attendance, weekly mentor time, grade of C or better, tutoring if needed).
• ​â¶Ä‹â€‹Upon completion, earn the Associate Teacher Permit and become eligible for positions in the early care and education field, working with young children.​
  

Graduates of the ECE Center-Based Apprenticeship Program are prepared for a variety of roles in early education, including:

• Assistant Teacher/Associate Teacher in center-based programs.
• Teacher’s Aide/Classroom Support roles. ​

These positions align with the Associate Teacher Permit and meet the needs of local early learning employers, helping apprentices continue to grow in their early childhood education (ECE) careers.

1. Do I need experience?
   No. The apprenticeship includes supervised work hours and coaching.
2. How much school is it?
   You complete the 12 ECE units for the Associate Teacher Permit in a set sequence with your cohort.
3. Are classes in English?
   Yes. Tutoring and study groups are in English. Translation help may be available.
4. Will I automatically be placed in a job?
   No. If you are not already working in an early learning center, you will need to apply for a job at a participating center before you can be hired and enrolled in the apprenticeship program. Job placements are not arranged through SCCOE.
5. Will I be paid?
   Apprentices complete paid on-the-job hours as part of a registered apprenticeship (2,000 hours). Center-Based includes wage steps with skill gains.
6. What are my responsibilities?
   Show up on time for all classes and program activities, meet weekly with your mentor, maintain a C or better grade, and tell staff early if you have any issues.​