Young Children and Teacher Looking at Object in Garden

Maryland Early EdCorp

Overview

Join the child care workforce and become a leader for young children in your community. The Maryland Early EdCorp Program is a Registered Apprenticeship that supports early childhood educators in achieving the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. Apprentices will earn as they learn to serve as teachers working with children and families who may need additional support to access services for disability, language differences, homelessness, child welfare, poverty, and other complex issues. 

To be eligible, interested individuals must: 

  • have a high school diploma, GED, or be enrolled in a high school career and technical education program. 
  • be current or aspiring teachers. 
  • provide documentation of a successfully passed criminal background check and be eligible to work in the United States.

Apprentices will:

  • Work as staff in a high-quality early childhood program.
  • Participate in coursework outside of work hours throughout the year.
  • Receive ongoing guidance from a coach and experienced teacher within the program.

Support from Maryland Early EdCorp will help registered apprentices:

  • Complete your CDA Portfolio.
  • Take the CDA Examination.
  • Schedule the PD Specialist Verification Visit.
  • Learn how to apply for Child Care Credentialing, Level 4 after 3 years experience.

Have questions? Send an email to earlyedcorp@umd.edu.

Want to be an apprentice? Complete the expression of interest form.

Maryland Early EdCorp is a project of the Center for Early Childhood Education and Intervention (CECEI) at the University of Maryland, College Park. Development of the program was funded by the Maryland State Department of Education as part of the Maryland Rebuilds initiative. 

Employer Partners

Employer Partners meet quality standards including achieving levels 3, 4, and 5 of the State Quality Rating and Improvement System, EXCELS. Additionally, each site provides early childhood services to a wide range of children and families, ensuring access for children with disabilities, dual language needs, and experiences linked with poverty and trauma. Head Start Programs, Judy Center child care partners, and school districts with Maryland Prekindergarten programs are encouraged to participate. 

Early childhood programs with Level 3, 4, or 5 EXCELS ratings that are interested in participating can send an email via earlyedcorp@umd.edu for more information.

To express interest in participating as an apprenticeship site, complete the Employer Partner Interest Form.

Journeyworkers & Mentor-Coaches

In each site, registered apprentices will have access to a journeyworker (teacher) and a Mentor-Coach who support their on-the-job learning while assisting them with CDA preparation. These individuals are carefully chosen based on their excellence in teaching. They guide apprentices using data, reflection, and practices proven to work for diverse learners in preschool child care settings.

All Journeyworkers are experienced teachers with at least 4 years of experience working in early childhood classrooms who are recommended by their Program Directors. They have earned a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a higher degree with a focus on early childhood, education, or human services. They guide registered apprentices in their own classroom, modeling developmentally appropriate teaching practices and offering on-the-spot support. Each Journeyworker will earn 3 Core of Knowledge hours for orientation activities and 3 Professional Activity Units for their work supporting registered apprentices.

Mentor-Coaches are expert early educators selected for their coaching skills. They will conduct monthly observations of registered apprentices using CDA tools to provide ongoing assessment and feedback. Using a reflective coaching method, mentor-coaches will provide ongoing support as registered apprentices work towards their CDA and use developmentally appropriate practices in their classroom.

Contact Us

Have comments or questions? The Early EdCorp team would love to hear from you! Please send us an email at earlyedcorp@umd.edu.