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Begin a career in early education

Early Care & Education Pathways

Associate Teacher's Apprenticeship Program

The Pathways to Success Apprenticeship helps participants jump-start their career in early childhood education. Participants in this unique 18-month working and learning experience earn 12 Early Childhood Education units through College of Marin, complete 2,000 hours of paid work experience, and are eligible for an Associate Teacher permit.

Program Benefits: 

  • Classes offered in English & Spanish 
  • Embedded classroom tutoring  
  • Job placement with local employers (Community Action Marin or North Bay Children’s Center) 
  • Career Counseling  
  • Financial and Credit Coaching 
  • No school fees & free textbooks
  • Monthly peer learning cohort meetings to connect with & learn from others in the program
  • Success Coaches will work with you step-by-step to ensure you have what you need to succeed
  • Access to other Community Action Marin services and county-wide resources  

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Enrollment Criteria

  • Must be 18 years or older 
  • Pass a criminal background fingerprint check 
  • Provide immunization record 
  • Have evidence of a negative tuberculosis test 
  • Be able to attend college classes, participate, and submit written assignments 
  • Legally able to work in the United States
My daughter is with another childcare provider, and when I received a flyer offering a job opportunity, I decided to call for more information. Claudia helped me to connect with Erika Acosta, the coordinator of the ECEPTS program. I was placed on a waiting list, and eventually, I joined this program, which provided me with a stable job and assistance with my studies to pursue a profession.

I cannot fully express how much this job and program have positively impacted my family. I am deeply grateful to be part of this initiative and to serve as a voice and support for other families. Like me, they have found kind, dedicated, and passionate individuals who help find ways to improve our futures.

Atenea P.
Children & Family Parent and Teacher Apprentice

Community Action Marin began working with Early Care & Education & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS) in 2022 as a part of our first Community of Practice. As the lead community partner, they worked with North Bay Children’s Center, and the College of Marin to support 20 mostly monolingual apprentices in completing 12 units in Early Childhood Education and earning their Associate Teacher Certificate. Based on their exemplary work with their Spanish cohort and the use of the English Language Learner (ELL) funds they were awarded, they also ‘wowed’ the ELL grant team during a site visit. ECEPTS is quite proud of our partnership with CAM!

Sandra D. Moore
Chief Program Officer
Early Care & Education Pathways to Success

Want more information?

We are currently not accepting applications for this program. Please email us by clicking the link below for more information.

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Early Childhood Education Workforce Pilot Success

We are proud of the 31 participants in the 2019-2020 ECE Certification program. Several participants were able to apply their studies from their native countries for admission, others completed classes in English learning spaces, a deviation from their original plan, and others were excited to not only receive their Associate Teacher Permit but with one additional class, move on to the Master Teacher/Site Supervisor level. 

During the program, we helped our participants succeed in supporting themselves and their children by providing trusted and reliable childcare, access to technology such as laptops, and high-touch support with navigating the complexities of college matriculation. “The funds for the project helped break down the barriers to education. Many of the participants who joined and completed the program already had the skills and passion for teaching, and it was rather a lack of navigation know-how and basic necessities that held them back from pursuing the profession”, said Kelsey Lombardi, former Director of Program Operations, Children and Family Services.