The Camp Fire Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) applications
are now open for the Fall 2024 cohort!

Camp Fire Early Education Apprenticeship Program

The Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) is an educational and career pathway building program. The first U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship program for early educators in the State of Texas, the EEAP includes paid on-the-job-learning, coupled with educational courses and one-on-one coaching in the classroom from a Camp Fire mentor.

Other benefits include wage increases, stipends that recognize milestones, and earning up to 33 hours of college credit. Some prior work experience and course hours will be accepted in substitute for EEAP requirements.

Accepting applications and inquiries from child care programs and early childhood teachers.

eeap adult reading to children

Employer Benefits

Become an Employer partner site. Contact us for details and benefits or apply now.

Employee Benefits

See if you’re eligible to apply for an apprenticeship!

Department of Labor Non-Expiring Credential ECE I ECE II ECE III
Award Held at Completion of Program CDA Associate of Applied Science
in Child Development
Bachelor of Applied Science
in Child Development
and Family Studies
Institution for Instruction Camp Fire Currently TCC Currently Tarleton
Average Length of Program 1-2 years 2-3 years 3-5 years
Features Can apply up to
9 college hours
toward AAS
Can apply up to
33 college hours
toward BAAS
Includes non-expiring
early childhood
director credential
Depth of Knowledge and Competence Completers are prepared to work with young children, birth through
age 8. Completers are introduced
to the Professional Standards and
Competencies.
Completers can apply their
introductory knowledge and
understanding of the Professional
Standards and Competencies.
Along with the pedagogical
knowledge and skills identified
in the Professional Standards and
Competencies, completers have high
school–level knowledge in core
content areas of math, science,
English, social studies/history,
physical education, visual arts, and performing arts.
Graduates are prepared to work
with young children, birth through
age 8. Graduates know and
understand the essential aspects
of Professional Standards and
Competencies with a strong focus
on young children in birth through
age 5 settings.
Graduates can apply their essential
knowledge and understanding
of the Professional Standards and
Competencies with a strong focus
on young children in birth through
age 5 settings.
Along with the pedagogical
knowledge and skills identified
in the Professional Standards
and Competencies, graduates
have introductory college-level knowledge of content areas
(linguistics, literature, the arts,
mathematics, science, and social
studies) through dedicated general education courses.
Graduates are prepared to work
with young children, birth through
age 8. Graduates know and
understand the essential aspects
of Professional Standards and
Competencies with a strong focus
on young children in birth through
grade 3 settings.
Graduates can apply their essential
knowledge and understanding
of Professional Standards and
Competencies, including age-appropriate content pedagogy, with
a strong focus on young children in
birth through grade 3 settings.
Along with the pedagogical
knowledge and skills identified
in the Professional Standards and
Competencies, graduates have
essential college-level knowledge
of content areas (linguistics,
literature, the arts, mathematics,
science, and social studies) through
dedicated general education
courses.

Duration of the Program & Eligibility

The Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program is a multi-year program that combines on-the-job learning, professional development, and one-on-one mentoring and coaching.

Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) is offered in partnership with: Workforce Solutions for Tarrant County, Tarrant County College, Tarleton State University and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Texas.

The Camp Fire First Texas Early Education Apprenticeship Program (EEAP) is a U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship. This program is a career pathway for the passionate early educator who is:

  • college ready and wants to earn college credit while also earning a living wage,
  • not yet college ready but needs the support and resources to become college ready, or
  • desires an alternative to college.

Complete the Apprenticeship Interest Form and be contacted about eligibility, benefits and more.

Camp Fire Early Education Apprenticeship (EEAP) Frequently Asked Questions

A: A Host Site is a childcare center where an active apprentice is employed

An eligible Host Site is a child care site in which a Host Site Commitment has been signed, but there is not an active apprentice. Once an apprentice is selected from an eligible Host Site, the status will change from “eligible” Host Site to Host Site.

A:

  1. Contact the EEAP director by phone or email to schedule a meeting
  2. The childcare program/director must:
    1. commit to incremental wage increases for apprentices
    2. allow on-site mentoring from a Camp Fire EEAP Mentor
    3. commit to supporting the apprentice in the implementation of new skills
    4. sign a host site commitment
    5. sign a Department of Labor Employer Agreement.

A: Not necessarily. Every interested candidate must submit an application and meet basic requirements. These include:

  • Teacher currently works in Tarrant County and has had one year of consecutive employment in a licensed child care program.
  • Apply online and complete and interview with the EEAP Director
  • All applicants will be scored using a scoring rubric.
  • There is no guarantee your staff will be selected for an apprenticeship just because they work at a host site.

A: 20 apprentices will be selected for each program year

A: The Camp Fire EEAP is a 1.5 – 2-year commitment for apprentices. Apprentices are required to sign a commitment to remain with their current employer for one year after graduation from the program.

A: The wage increase is negotiable on a case by case basis; however, the recommended increase is 3% after satisfactory completion of the first year, and 3% after satisfactory completion of the program.

A: Interested candidates should have at least one year of full-time, and consecutive employment in a licensed child care program. The EEAP prioritizes teachers who are employed by Texas Rising Star or nationally accredited childcare centers. The employer must agree to become an EEAP Host Site.

A:

  • High-quality professional development
  • Department of Labor issued (non-renewing) credential
  • Potential for up to 33 hours of college credit
  • Wage increases provided by your employer
  • Educational stipends provided by Camp Fire (as funding is available)
  • No cost to participate (as funding is available)
A: The apprenticeship is 1.5 – 2 years depending on previous education and experience.

A: The pay increase will vary on a case-by-case basis and will be pre-determined by your employer based on current pay plus the incremental wage increases.

A: The apprenticeship program is free to apprentices and Host Sites.

A: Camp Fire will not provide child care during class times. Apprentices will need to make arrangements for child care as children are not allowed in class.

A: The college credit obtained through the apprenticeship is optional and there for those who would like to use it. The difference in the apprenticeship program and other professional development, is that the apprenticeship leads to a tangible recognition of teacher skills and educational experience through a Department of Labor recognized certificate.

A: Employers do not pay for the time apprentices are in class, but apprentices will receive supplemental stipends from Camp Fire based on successful completion of specific milestones.

A: Most sessions will be held at the Camp Fire Resource Center, 2700 Meacham Blvd, Fort Worth, TX 76137. However, from time-to-time, some sessions are held on Zoom or at other locations within the community.

A: Mentoring is a relationship-based adult learning strategy intended to promote and support a teacher’s awareness and refinement of her professional learning process and teaching practices.

Mentors will be on-site with teachers twice per month working alongside apprentices to enhance the on-the-job learning and reinforce the information received during class time.

A: Per Department of Labor Standards of Apprenticeship, apprentices will have the option to continue the apprenticeship at another host site, if offered employment.

A: Yes, licensed child care homes in these North Texas counties are eligible to apply:

  • Collin County
  • Denton County
  • Ellis County
  • Erath County
  • Hood County
  • Hunt County
  • Johnson County
  • Kaufman County
  • Navarro County
  • Palo Pinto County
  • Parker County
  • Rockwall County
  • Somervell County
  • Tarrant County
  • Wise County

Have more questions?

Call us at 817.831.2111

“Just like it takes a village when it comes to working with young children. It also takes a village to grow, push, and appreciate early childcare teachers. That’s exactly what the apprenticeship offered to my teachers. The opportunity to grow academically. To push them through those hard, unanswered classroom situations, and to show them that above all else they are appreciated, and we couldn’t do this without them.”

Ontara Nickerson- Medium, Apprentice Host Site Director

“Seeing the improvement in class has been amazing from the first day I started. I can see a huge difference not only in myself but with my class, and it is truly amazing.”

June Robles, Apprentice

“I have really enjoyed taking the courses and adding to what i have already learned. It has helped me evolve so much as a Pre-K teacher and look forward to learning so much more!”

Chelsi DuVal, Apprentice

Early Education Apprenticeship Program Evaluation Report