Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship

Havenly graduates identified childcare as one of the greatest barriers facing immigrant women in New Haven and called for community-led childcare solutions. 

In 2025, Havenly launched its first Early Childhood Education (ECE) Registered Apprenticeship. This is a paid, year-long earn-while-you-learn pathway designed to strengthen Connecticut’s childcare workforce while ensuring workers can afford to stay in the field. Participants are hired as W-2 employees at childcare centers, earn wages throughout the program, and are eligible for wage increases as they progress toward credentials.

Helping Refugee Women Build Careers in Early Childhood Education

Work Experience

Fellows complete 2,000 hours of paid full-time work experience at licensed childcare centers

Child Development Associate (CDA) Course

Fellows attend college-level Child Development Associate (CDA) course, delivered in partnership with Gateway Community College.

Education

Fellows participate in English classes and computer skills training tailored to early childhood careers. 

Language access support is provided throughout the program. This is currently the only multilingual ECE apprenticeship in Connecticut that offers languages other than Spanish.

Mentorship

Fellows receive on-site mentorship from an experienced educator at their childcare center   

Our First Cohort

0

refugee and immigrant women enrolled

0

Childcare center partners

0

hours of full-time work at childcare centers

Made possible with funding from: 

Victor Ko

Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Translation missing: en.czcwykur559.lh_iy69ny_job

Marin Julia

CERCLE

Translation missing: en.czcwykur559.lh_iy66lp_job