The YMCA program has offered me all the extended support needed to pursue my goal of being a great educator. With the courses offered, I had the opportunity to uncover things about myself as a parent and as a person, which have helped me for the better. I am excited to learn more and eventually earn my bachelor’s degree in early childhood educationErica D. joined the EEAP in the fall of 2020 as a Head Start parent and First 5 participant. Erica is a full-time employee at the YMCA of The East Bay and is working on her AA degree. Learn more about their success in the program
Rooted in Community. Growing the Next Generation of Educators
Since 2015, the YMCA’s Early Educator Apprenticeship Program has provided a pathway into early childhood education for East Bay community members, many of them parents whose children have thrived in our programs.
Grounded in our mission to nurture potential and strengthen communities, the program recruits directly from the neighborhoods we serve, creating a diverse and passionate workforce that reflects the families in our classrooms. Through our Earn and Learn model, more than 500 aspiring educators have gained hands-on experience, professional support, and the tools to become confident, high-quality early childhood teachers.