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Pr​ogram Details

The º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø Office of Education (SCCOE) Educator Preparation Programs (EPP) offers a new and Early Learning Apprenticeship Program focused on the Family Childcare Home Program (FCCH) setting, in collaboration with De Anza College.

The Family Childcare Home Apprenticeship is designed for â€‹assistants currently working in licensed home-based childcare programs. This program provides hands-on experience, practical classroom skill development, and a clear pathway toward earning the Associate Teacher Permit - all through tuition-free college coursework and comprehensive support.

Apprentices participate in a cohort model, enrolling at De Anza College and completing five required courses - one per quarter. All classes are held on Saturdays to support working professionals. Participants also gain on-the-job training in their licensed FCCH setting while recieving  tutoring, coaching, and college-level instruction aligned with California credentialing requirements.

This opportunity is intended for FCCH assistants, not program owners. However, FCCH owners interested in supporting an assistant’s participation are encouraged to reach out for more information at ´¡±è±è°ù±ð²Ô³Ù¾±³¦±ð²õ³ó¾±±è±Ê°ù´Ç²µ°ù²¹³¾²õ°ª²õ³¦³¦´Ç±ð.´Ç°ù²µâ€‹.

P​ROGRAM SUMMARY​:

• ​ Location: De Anza College
  
• Length: 5 quarters (1 course​ per quarter)
• Class Schedule: Saturday classes only
  
• Credential Pathway: Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
• Mentorship: Provided by licensed FCCH program owners
• ​ Program Type: Apprenticeship for assistants (not owners)
  

Financial Assistance​â¶Ä‹ & Employment

Participants in the Family Childcare Home Apprenticeship Program receive comprehensive financial and employment support:

• Tuition and textbooks for all required classes are fully covered.
  
• A California residency requirementmay apply for college: participants must have lived in California for at least one year and one day and be able to provide proof of residency.​
  
• ​Apprentices earn paid, on-the-job hours as part of a state-registered apprenticeship, completing 2,000 paid hours toward program completion.​
• Wages increase as apprentices demonstrate new skills and progress through the program.​
  

Apprenticeship Placements

Apprentices gain hands-on experience by working in a licensed family childcare home while enrolled in the program.

Weekly mentor meetings help connect classroom learning with real-world routines and practices in early learning settings.

*​Note: Applicants who are not currently employed in an early learning or family childcare setting must secure a position with a participating site before they can be hired and officially enrolled in the apprenticeship program.

Who are the Best Candidates for this Program?

The Early Childhood Education FCCH apprenticeship program is ideal for individuals who:

• Currently work as assistants in licensed family childcare homes.
  
• ​â¶Ä‹â€‹ Represent and reflect the languages and cultures of the diverse families they serve.
• Come from underrepresented or underserved communities and seek a clear, supported pathway into the Early Childhood Education profession.
  
• Have a passion for working with young children and are ready to commit to a consistent schedule of work and study.
  
• Have not yet completed the 12 required ECE units ​needed for an Associate Teacher Permit.