Tiaja Gundy started her journey in the field of early childhood education at just 19 years old as a “floater” helping with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. Despite lacking experience initially, she found that she loved working with children. As she gained more experience, she realized she needed to deepen her knowledge about child development to progress in her career.
In 2021, one of her supervisors recognized her potential and introduced her to a registered apprenticeship program for early childhood educators in Rhode Island. With her employer’s support, Gundy could continue her teaching job while pursuing a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. This opportunity would pave the way for her to become a lead teacher, with guaranteed wage increases along the way.
The apprenticeship model has been gaining traction in the early childhood education sector across the country. With increased federal funding and a growing awareness of the importance of early care and education, more states are implementing apprenticeship programs to support and elevate the workforce.
The apprenticeship model offers a unique opportunity for early childhood educators, many of whom are low-income women, to earn a credential while working and receiving incremental wage increases. Employers benefit from having highly skilled teachers who are more likely to stay in the field, which ultimately enhances the quality of care and education provided to children and families.
Despite the promising aspects of the apprenticeship model, experts caution against viewing it as a panacea for the challenges faced by the early childhood education sector. While it can be a valuable strategy for workforce development, there are limitations to its scalability and cost-effectiveness.
Gundy’s success story exemplifies the transformative impact of the apprenticeship model. Now a lead teacher with her CDA credential and pursuing a bachelor’s degree, she credits the apprenticeship experience with deepening her understanding of early childhood education and making her a better teacher overall.
