• Have an associate degree? Awesome! You can jump right in. But you don't need a degree to become an apprentice!
• Just getting started? No worries—you don’t need any experience to begin.
• Want to teach older children instead? Visit our K-12 apprenticeship page to learn more.

In Colorado, there are a few ways to find apprenticeships: 

• Early childhood centers, preschools, Head Start or early elementary schools
• Colleges and universities offering early childhood education courses
• State resources like Apprenticeship Colorado

Find a Registered Apprenticeship Program. 

Once you find an apprenticeship program, follow the application process for that school district or early childhood provider. 

If you already work in an early childhood setting, check whether they partner with a college for coursework. If not, your apprenticeship program will connect you with the requirements needed for your related instruction.

As an apprentice, you’ll get paid from day one. In some programs, your pay increases as your skills grow! You’ll also benefit from:

• Hands-on learning in real early learning settings.
• Mentorship from experienced teachers.
• Relationships with other staff and students—this can help when you’re ready to apply for full-time jobs.
• A clear path to earning your early childhood qualification—and, if you want to keep going, work toward an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree or a Colorado teaching license. 

Throughout your apprenticeship, you’ll complete professional learning outside of your school hours to earn your credential, associate degree or Child Development Associate Credential. 

You could even decide to continue your education at a four-year university to earn your Colorado teaching license. 

When you finish your apprenticeship and earned your industry-recognized certificate, here are additional options for continuing your professional learning—whatever it looks like for you:

• Apply for your Child Development Associate Credential
• Finish your associate degree
• Start teaching full-time in an early childhood role — you have more options now!
• Apply to a four-year teacher prep program to pursue your Colorado teaching license

You’ll choose the path that fits your goals.