Championing Early Childhood Education Through Registered Apprenticeship: An ApprenticeshipNC Spotlight on Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool

Between birth and age eight is a crucial window for education due to the incredible ways in which the brain develops during this time. As such, early childhood education is fundamental to human development. According to UNESCO, “it can lay the foundation for good health and nutrition, learning and educational success, social-emotional learning, and economic productivity throughout life.” The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services relays similar information, stating, “when brain development in infants and young children is fully supported, they are more likely to reach milestones critical to future individual and community success.”

Recognizing the positive impact early childhood education has on children, and understanding the need for quality childcare providers, Shannon Pope, Owner & Director of Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool, looked to apprenticeship as a model to build a team of adaptable, skilled, and dedicated caregivers and early childhood education providers.

In late 2023, Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool partnered with ApprenticeshipNC, the State Apprenticeship Agency operating under the North Carolina Community College System, to create an Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship. The program currently has 10 apprentices. Working under mentor-teachers, the apprentices gain real-time experience working with children in the classroom while also completing the educational components necessary to become certified childcare and early childhood education providers.

Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool has opened its program to both full-time employees and high school students. Through the Registered Apprenticeship, the full-time apprentices typically spend 40 hours a week working in the classroom to gain hands-on experience in the field while also working toward a degree in early childhood education. The apprentices have access to a plethora of benefits such as health insurance, PTO after six months of employment, bonuses, and guaranteed pay during holidays for which the childcare facility is closed.

For high school students, the apprenticeship program offers an opportunity to expand their experience before they enter the field full-time. They begin their workdays after school, typically around 2:30 p.m., and, similarly to full-time apprentices, work in the classrooms under the guidance of a mentor. Snead Ferry Childcare & Preschool’s goal when opening the Registered Apprenticeship to high school students was to prevent career stagnancy.

“You have students come out of high school and go into the field of childcare, but they are unable to continue their education… The apprenticeship program offers apprentices the opportunity to go through school, get the training they need to become a professional in the field, and build their confidence and comfortability in the classroom.” — Shannon Pope, Owner & Director, Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool

Mrs. Pope’s hope for this program is that it will help Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool ensure quality childcare and early childhood education in its community.

“You always hear the first five years of education are so important, but there is no emphasis on who is providing that care or looking after the children. So, this is a great opportunity to ensure that there are quality educators out there who are invested in our children… being a caregiver on top of the educator means you have to make sure you know where the children are coming from and where they need to be to become productive citizens.” — Shannon Pope, Owner & Director, Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool

Interested in learning more about Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool? Visit its website today! Home | Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare Center & Preschool (sfqualitychildcare.com)

About Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare & Preschool: From language and literacy development to social skills and creative expression, the children at Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare Center & Preschool are constantly being exposed to new activities and environments in which to thrive. Children are provided with the love and care to feel safe and secure each day. Sneads Ferry Quality Childcare and Preschool uses the strengths and interests of each child to help build a solid foundation where they can develop their futures. Get in touch to learn more about.

About ApprenticeshipNC – Part of the NC Community College System: Recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship to act on behalf of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), ApprenticeshipNC (ANC) is the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA) operating under the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS). ApprenticeshipNC registers apprenticeship programs tailored to meet employers’ needs— providing structured on-the-job learning, supplemental education, and a progressive wage scale.

“ApprenticeshipNC works with employers across the state, in all 100 counties, to develop registered apprenticeship programs. Apprenticeships are employer led and solidify the importance of developing a strong, skilled, prepared workforce, allowing North Carolina to attract business and industry as well as people to our state.” – John Loyack, Vice President of Economic Development NCCCS

This article was written by ApprenticeshipNC Communications Assistant Margaret Spainhour as a part of the Amplify ApprenticeshipNC Program Spotlight Initiative. The original publication date was March 1, 2024. See the original LinkedIn article here.