Students completing the Early Childhood Education program at the EACC will be prepared and have the required knowledge for the next step in their career journey, whether it's college or directly into the career field.
During their two years at the EACC, Early Childhood Education students will have the opportunity to earn 24 college credits through dual enrollment at Ivy Tech at no charge to the student/family and by simply successfully completing the EACC program.
Students who complete the program will have the opportunity to test for the Child Development Associate credential.
Additionally, students who complete dual enrollment courses ENG 111 (College English), MATH 123 (Quantitative Reasoning), PSYC 101 (Psychology), and IVYT 106 (Career Exploration) either through their home high school or the EACC, can earn a Early Childhood Education Certificate from Ivy Tech Community College.
The Elkhart Area Career Center is a proud participant in Indiana’s Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registered Teacher Apprenticeship program, offering students interested in early childhood education the opportunity to enter the field and advance their careers through a blend of classroom instruction, hands-on training, and direct employment.
- The program consists of three tiers of related instruction, with each level guiding apprentices toward earning a credential or degree. The tiers are a high school diploma, associate’s degree, and bachelor’s degree.
- Apprentices apply classroom concepts directly within early learning environments under the guidance of a mentor teacher. The mentor provides supervision, support, and ensures that apprentices are mastering key competencies.
- Apprentices receive wages while participating in on-the-job training and learning. As they master competencies and earn credentials, their wages increase accordingly.
