Get Training, Paid Experience to Become an Early Childhood Educator


5/20/20246 months ago

A participant in the Early Childhood Education Career Training Program kneels to play with two preschoolers during her internship at a Cambridge preschool as part of the program.

The Early Childhood Education Career Training Program is recruiting participants for its 2024-2025 cycle, which begins in October. This free program provides training and job experience to people who want to start a career as an early childhood educator. 

Participants in the program prepare to earn the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and become an Early Education and Care (EEC) certified teacher in Massachusetts. During the program, participants take an online early childhood course, complete a paid internship at a licensed early childhood program in Cambridge, receive on-site observations and feedback sessions, get help with career planning, and more.

“I’ve always loved working with children, and this program helped me explore a career in early childhood education,” says Genet, who completed her internship at a DHSP Preschool and will graduate from the program this spring. “The internship and all the online classes were amazing. I know I will be a great teacher thanks to support from the program staff, the teachers at my internship site, and my fellow interns.” 

The Early Childhood Education Career Training Program might be right for you if:  

  • You are looking for entry-level training to enter the field of Early Childhood Education  
  • You are interested in becoming an EEC certified teacher in Massachusetts   
  • You are ready to commit to a long-term career as an early childhood educator  
  • You are available to work mornings until early afternoons in a licensed childcare center in Cambridge 

The deadline to apply is August 30, 2024.

Sign up for an online information session

Offered in partnership by the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood and Cambridge Community Learning Center, the Early Childhood Education Career Training Program is designed to give participants a pathway to a career in early childhood education and to advance within the field.

If you are currently working in Cambridge as an early childhood educator and want to earn your CDA, contact Emily Callejas, Workforce Development Manager at the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood: ecalljeas@cpsd.us or 617-349-9785