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leaptoteach

LEARN & EARN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (LEAP TO TEACH)

The Learn and Earn Apprenticeship Program, otherwise known as LEAP to Teach, is a paid workforce development program. This program provides real-world experience in the field of Early Childhood Education and is designed to support and develop individuals interested in attaining the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

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(313) 388-9799

ABOUT

REQUIREMENTS

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FAQ

ABOUT LEARN & EARN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (LEAP TO TEACH)

  • This program is currently being offered once a year. Online applications are available prior to the start of a cohort. Once you complete the online application along with uploading the required documents, your application will proceed for review to determine if you are a good fit. If the online application is unavailable, this means the cohort is currently not seeking candidates. It is possible that some may be placed on a waitlist. Potential candidates will receive a phone call to be scheduled for an interview.
  • Courses are being held virtually and practicum placement will take place in person.
  • Participation in Leap to Teach is a full-time commitment and only those who are seriously interested in working in the field of early childhood should apply. A typical week consists of completing daily course work and includes a strict attendance policy that requires arriving on time and participating in all meetings, trainings and scheduled activities.
  • Applications will be reviewed to determine whether prospective students can satisfy the requirements and overall responsibilities and commitment. Individuals placed with a licensed child care provider must have a comprehensive background check to include FBI fingerprints, sign a statement of ethical conduct and pass physical, drug screening and TB tests. Falsifying or omitting information will result in the individual being found ineligible.
  • The number of applicants selected varies depending on available funding. Cohort sizes are kept small (12-15) to maximize the individualized attention. Academic support is also available. If you are interested in joining the program it is on a first-come, first served basis. Others will be placed on a waiting list.

Benefits

  • Learn what it takes to become an Early Childhood Educational Professional
  • Complete free training leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
  • Obtain the required 480 hours of hands-on working experience
  • Training and guidance provided by experienced early childhood mentors
  • Guidance through the credentialing process from a Workforce Development Coach
  • Monthly stipend
  • Access to supportive services and financial support to cover the cost of tuition, materials and the CDA application fee

Additionally, participants can take advantage of the opportunity to apply for direct placement into an entry-level Teacher Assistant position upon completion!

LEAP to Teach Flyer

REQUIREMENTS

Required to begin Program

  • Must Possess a High School Diploma
  • or a High School Equivalency Diploma
  • Must be able to speak, read and write well enough to fulfill the responsibilities of a CDA

Required to Obtain CDA

  • First Aid/CPR Training
  • 120 hours of formal coursework
  • Based on a core set of competency standards
  • 480 hours of supervised fieldwork
  • A Professional Portfolio
  • CDA education
  • Family Questionnaires
  • Reflective statements that demonstrate understanding and application of your teaching practices
  • A collection of early childhood resources
  • Professional Philosophy Statement
  • A formal observation with a Professional Development Specialist
  • CDA exam consisting of 65 multiple choice questions

HOW TO APPLY

Apply for LEAP to Teach today using our online application under "On-The-Job Training Opportunities" or call our Connect Center:

Apply Today!
(313) 388-9799

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

The Child Development Associate is a nationally recognized credential that has been accepted as a state requirement for working in many early childhood centers. The CDA National Credentialing Program is a professional development opportunity for early educators working with children ages birth to 5 years old to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the early childhood education field. A person who earns a CDA has demonstrated the ability to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

No, a CDA is a professional credential and must be renewed every 3 years.

The Leap to Teach program fulfills the 120 hours that are the minimum required for the CDA. Offering 16 college credits places our candidates at an advantage in furthering their education. This establishes the foundation for career advancement in pursuing an Associate’s degree and Bachelor’s degree. The Michigan Transfer Network is a resource to view transfer course equivalencies between many Michigan colleges and universities.

https://www.michigantransfernetwork.org/

Wayne Metro, in response to the need to have early childhood professionals who have mastered the knowledge and skills needed to create effective learning environments for children, partnered with Wayne County Community College District to provide the college coursework to prepare students to think critically and creatively, learn and use technology and demonstrate cultural awareness. The Early Childhood College courses are taught by approved higher education faculty who have degrees in early childhood education as well as extensive experience working in the field.

Coursework will take place in a hybrid asynchronous platform. This means that participants will have independent work that they will be required to complete and they will meet virtually at designed times with an instructor in real-time teacher-led interaction.

A monthly stipend payment is provided and is based on cohort attendance and practicum participation spent during fieldwork at a rate decided upon by the program.

Cohorts are scheduled to occur once per year.

It is an advantage but not essential for admission.

You can email your questions to: LeaptoTeach@waynemetro.org or contact
Monique Martin-Johnson, LEAP to Teach Program Manager,
at mmartin-johnson@waynemetro.org.

The program is free but in exchange you will be expected to complete the required paperwork indicating that you agree to the terms and significant time commitment to make this a positive learning experience.

Applications will be reviewed to determine whether prospective students can satisfy the requirements and overall responsibilities and commitment. Individuals placed with a licensed childcare provider must have a comprehensive background check to include FBI fingerprints, sign a statement of ethical conduct, and pass physical, drug, and tb screenings. Falsifying or omitting information will result in the individual being found ineligible. The number of applicants selected varies depending on available funding. Cohort sizes are kept small (12-15) to maximize individualized attention. Academic supports are also available. If you are interested in joining the program it is on a first-come, first-served basis. Others will be placed on a waiting list. 

Fieldwork is required as part of the completion of the certification and is supervised by an assigned mentor teacher for hands-on work providing opportunities to learn through experience. This is an opportunity to practice the new knowledge acquired from the coursework and will take place in person.

The goal is for the students to experience how the content of the coursework is translated into practice in a classroom environment. Babysitting, Before and After School Programs, Sunday school programs, and Drop-in Programs are not eligible settings where a Candidate can prove his or her competence around the Competency Standards. Experience hours in these settings should not be counted towards the 480 hours of experience.

www.cda.org

Participation in Leap to Teach is a full-time commitment and only those who are seriously interested in working in the field of early childhood should apply. A typical week consists of completing daily course work and includes a strict attendance policy that requires arriving on time and participating in all meetings, training, and scheduled activities. Expect to dedicate a minimum of 4 hours towards coursework each day and expect to commit 6 to 7 hours per day during the practicum experience.

www.cda.org

This is a fast-track 7-month program that consists of two components: On-the-job training working within a licensed Head Start/Early Head Start classrooms and professional early childhood education training covering the growth and development of children in 8 CDA subject areas.

www.cda.org

You will be expected to complete weekly coursework.

www.cda.org

This program is currently being offered once a year. Online applications are available prior to the start of a cohort. Once you complete the online application along with uploading the required documents, your application will proceed for review to determine if you are a good fit. Potential candidates will receive a phone call to be scheduled for an interview.

The Leap to Teach program is designed for participants to begin and complete the program cohort together.

It is possible that you still qualify to participate depending on if the degree is in a field unrelated to Early Childhood Education.

The Workforce Development team works individually with each student to apply for and obtain their CDA credentials from the Council for Professional Recognition.

All Programs
leaptoteach

Learn and Earn Apprenticeship Program (LEAP to Teach)

The Learn and Earn Apprenticeship Program, otherwise known as LEAP to Teach, is a paid workforce development program.

This program provides real-world experience in the field of Early Childhood Education and is designed to support and develop individuals interested in attaining the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential.

Benefits include:

  • Learn what it takes to become an Early Childhood Educational Professional
  • Complete free training leading to a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
  • Obtain the required 480 hours of hands-on working experience
  • Training and guidance provided by experienced early childhood mentors
  • Guidance through the credentialing process from a Workforce Development Coach
  • Monthly stipend
  • Access to supportive services and financial support to cover the cost of tuition, materials and the CDA application fee

Additionally, participants can take advantage of the opportunity to apply for direct placement into an entry-level Teacher Assistant position upon completion!

Click here to Apply!

Upcoming Information Sessions

  • This program is currently being offered once a year. Online applications are available prior to the start of a cohort. Once you complete the online application along with uploading the required documents, your application will proceed for review to determine if you are a good fit. If the online application is unavailable, this means the cohort is currently not seeking candidates. It is possible that some may be placed on a waitlist. Potential candidates will receive a phone call to be scheduled for an interview.

  • Courses are being held virtually and practicum placement will take place in person.

  • Participation in Leap to Teach is a full-time commitment and only those who are seriously interested in working in the field of early childhood should apply. A typical week consists of completing daily course work and includes a strict attendance policy that requires arriving on time and participating in all meetings, trainings and scheduled activities.

  • Applications will be reviewed to determine whether prospective students can satisfy the requirements and overall responsibilities and commitment. Individuals placed with a licensed child care provider must have a comprehensive background check to include FBI fingerprints, sign a statement of ethical conduct and pass physical, drug screening and TB tests. Falsifying or omitting information will result in the individual being found ineligible.

  • The number of applicants selected varies depending on available funding. Cohort sizes are kept small (12-15) to maximize the individualized attention. Academic support is also available. If you are interested in joining the program it is on a first-come, first served basis. Others will be placed on a waiting list.

Questions?
Please email us at leaptoteach@waynemetro.org or contact
Monique Martin-Johnson, LEAP to Teach Program Manager, 
at mmartin-johnson@waynemetro.org.

Quick Links
Leap to Teach Flyer
Frequently Asked Questions
Click here to Apply!

Wayne Metro has partnered with Wayne County Community College District to provide the college course work in order to prepare students to think critically and creatively, learn and use technology and demonstrate cultural awareness.

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