| Title: |
The ECEPTS Journey: Building a National Infrastructure for Early Educator Apprenticeship |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Lea J. E. Austin; Abby Copeman Petig; Elizabeth Pufall Jones; Jenna Knight; University of California, Berkeley. Center for the Study of Child Care Employment (CSCCE) |
| Source: |
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. 2025. |
| Availability: |
Center for the Study of Child Care Employment. Institute of Industrial Relations, University of California at Berkeley, 2521 Channing Way #5555, Berkeley, CA 94720. Tel: 510-643-7091; Web site: https://cscce.berkeley.edu/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
N |
| Page Count: |
26 |
| Publication Date: |
2025 |
| Document Type: |
Reports - Descriptive |
| Education Level: |
Early Childhood Education |
| Descriptors: |
Apprenticeships; Early Childhood Teachers; Labor Force Development; Career Pathways; Institutional Role; Organizational Effectiveness |
| Geographic Terms: |
California |
| Abstract: |
This case study takes a close look at Early Care & Education Pathways to Success' (ECEPTS) role as a national industry intermediary. It details how the organization evolved from a state-based Registered Apprenticeship program sponsor by forging strategic relationships and offering comprehensive program design and implementation support. In tracing ECEPTS' journey from sponsoring a handful of ECE apprenticeships in California in 2019 to its current status as a national leader shaping the ECE apprenticeship landscape, a clear set of operating principles emerges. Continuous Improvement: ECEPTS' programs and strategies are piloted, assessed, and refined based on partner feedback, real-world challenges, and data to ensure relevance and effectiveness. Building Community and Relationships: Apprenticeship is not just a training model; it's a community-building endeavor rooted in trusting and respectful relationships. Peer networks and shared learning opportunities are integral to ECEPTS' organizational approach. Experts as Learners: Staff, partners, and apprentices are all contributors and learners in this ecosystem--ECEPTS is not "the" expert. Grow Your Own: ECEPTS prioritizes educator and community experience and expertise in its pipeline: half of its staff have a background in early care and education, and all of those working directly with RA partnerships have experience with ECE and/or degree-driven apprenticeships. Consistency and Efficiency: Standardized tools and reliance on research-based approaches support implementation and allow ECEPTS to scale its work efficiently without trading fidelity to its mission and values. Adaptability to Local Contexts: ECEPTS has continually adapted its approaches to help partners reflect their communities' distinct cultural, political, policy, and economic contexts. [This paper was funded by a grant from Early Care & Education Pathways to Success, a project of Tides Center.] |
| Abstractor: |
ERIC |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
ED678644 |
| Database: |
ERIC |