The Early Childhood Work Readiness Program

In partnership with

Heckscher Foundation Logo
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Overview

The Institute's Early Childhood Career Development Center has been awarded a grant from the Heckscher Foundation for Children for an innovative new Work Readiness Program that will prepare participants for jobs in early childhood programs in New York State.

The program is designed to prepare participants for a job as a lead teacher or assistant teacher in one of the participating early childhood programs. Participants will gain an understanding of early childhood education systems and regulations while working toward their certification.

Young adults (under age 25) are eligible to participate in one of two cohorts: (1) an for high school graduates, or (2) a for rising college seniors studying early childhood or graduates seeking to earn their assistant teacher or early childhood teaching certification. The program will cover the cost of certification application fees, test preparation, exam fees and required workshop fees for participants.

Program Options

Choose the path that's right for you

Assistant Teacher Cohort

For high school graduates, GED holders, and rising high school seniors

Lead Teacher Cohort

For rising college seniors studying early childhood or graduates seeking certification

Employment Partners

For our partners and organizations interested in joining the program

Assistant Teacher Cohort

Are you under 25, looking for employment and hoping to work with young children? The NY Early Childhood Work Readiness Program is for you!

Join the program to get the support and services you need to prepare you for a job as an assistant teacher, at no cost to you.

Full financial assistance

Program includes:

  • A dedicated career advisor
    Connection to support services
    Access to information and applications for college scholarships through the Early Childhood Workforce programs
  • Resume support
  • Employment search and support
    Direct connection with employment partners
  • Fees for NYS Assistant Teacher certification including:
    Application
    Workshops
    Exam
    Test prep
    Fingerprinting
    International degree evaluation and translation
  • Application fees to the CUNY School of Professional Studies credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) program
    Options to attend CUNY or SUNY associates and bachelor's degrees in early childhood also available
  • And much more….

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

Under the age of 25
Employable in New York State
Able to undergo fingerprinting and a background check
Prepared to apply to college within 3 months of completion
Committed to work with children in child care settings for the duration of a two-year project

Information session

Information session coming up soon

Frequently asked questions

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Apply

Apply Now

Lead Teacher Cohort

Are you under 25, looking for employment and hoping to work with young children? The NY Early Childhood Work Readiness Program is for you!

Join the program to get the support and services you need to prepare you for a job as a lead teacher, at no cost to you.

Full financial assistance

Program includes:

  • A dedicated career advisor
    Connection to support services
    Access to information and applications for college scholarships through the Early Childhood Workforce programs
  • Resume support
  • Employment search and support
    Direct connection with employment partners
  • Fees for NYS Birth - 2 Teacher certification including:
    Application
    Workshops
    Exam
    Test prep
  • Application fees to CUNY or SUNY Graduate programs
  • And much more….

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

Under the age of 25
A rising senior in an early childhood BA/BS program or a graduate
Employable in New York State
Prepared to apply to a graduate program within 3 months of completion of the Work Readiness Program
Committed to work with children in child care settings for the duration of a two-year project

Information Session

Information session coming up soon

Frequently asked questions

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Apply

Apply Now

Our Employment Partners

The Career Development Center created the Early Childhood Work Readiness Program in collaboration with early childhood programs that will act as employment partners.

The program is designed to prepare participants for a job as a lead teacher or assistant teacher in one of the participating early childhood programs.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of early childhood education systems and regulations while working toward their assistant teacher or lead teacher certification.

Career Development Center advisors will meet with participants one-on-one and in groups to support them with resume writing, career mapping, communication, professional skill building, and goal-setting. At the conclusion of the semester, participants will interview with the employment partners for job placement.

Our trusted employment partners

Academic Explorers Logo Brooklyn Kindergarten Society Logo Community Action Organization of Western New York's Head Start Logo Family Enrichment Network Logo My Place: A Play and Learning Center Logo Ripen With Us Logo Young Minds in Motion Logo Aim High Leadership Centers Logo

Employment partner eligibility

To be an employment partner, you must meet the following criteria:

Attend Heckscher Challenge Grant Workforce Readiness Planning meetings with Career Center Team
Contribute to the development and implementation of the Workforce Readiness Project
Interview and hire Assistant and Lead Teacher project participants who are on Study Plans
  • Must be able to hire at least one candidate per cohort for a total of 6 cohorts within two years
Be a licensed child care center in good standing with QUALITYstarsNY, OCFS, and/or NYC DOHMH
Provide a logo and partner agreement letter regarding the number of hires and participation to the Institute and Heckscher Foundation
Be a registered program in the NY ASPIRE Workforce Registry

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Apply

If you would like to become an employment partner or need more information, please complete the application and our team will reach out to you.

Apply Now