The Early Childhood Work Readiness Program

In partnership with

Overview

The Institute's Early Childhood Career Development Center has been awarded a grant from the Heckscher Foundation for Children for an innovative new Work Readiness Program that will prepare participants for jobs in early childhood programs in New York State.

The program is designed to prepare participants for a job as a lead teacher or assistant teacher in one of the participating early childhood programs. Participants will gain an understanding of early childhood education systems and regulations while working toward their certification.

Young adults (under age 25) are eligible to participate in one of two cohorts: (1) an for high school graduates, or (2) a for rising college seniors studying early childhood or graduates seeking to earn their assistant teacher or early childhood teaching certification. The program will cover the cost of certification application fees, test preparation, exam fees and required workshop fees for participants.

Program Options

Choose the path that's right for you

Assistant Teacher Cohort

For high school graduates, GED holders, and rising high school seniors

Lead Teacher Cohort

For rising college seniors studying early childhood or graduates seeking certification

Employment Partners

For our partners and organizations interested in joining the program

Assistant Teacher Cohort

Are you under 25, looking for employment and hoping to work with young children? The NY Early Childhood Work Readiness Program is for you!

Join the program to get the support and services you need to prepare you for a job as an assistant teacher, at no cost to you.

Full financial assistance

Program includes:

A dedicated career advisor

Connection to support services

Access to information and applications for college scholarships through the Early Childhood Workforce programs
Resume support
Employment search and support

Direct connection with employment partners
Fees for NYS Assistant Teacher certification including:

Application

Workshops

Exam

Test prep

Fingerprinting

International degree evaluation and translation
Application fees to the CUNY School of Professional Studies credit-bearing Child Development Associate (CDA) program

Options to attend CUNY or SUNY associates and bachelor's degrees in early childhood also available
And much more….

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

Under the age of 25

Employable in New York State

Able to undergo fingerprinting and a background check

Prepared to apply to college within 3 months of completion

Committed to work with children in child care settings for the duration of a two-year project

Information session

Information session coming up soon

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if you are a senior completing an early childhood degree, you can join the Work Readiness Program.

This program is for individuals who are currently unemployed or out of work and looking to enter the early childhood workforce. If you are currently working and need resources for teacher certification, access to high education or other employment, we recommend you contact our career center using this link to schedule time with an advisor.

Yes, as long as you have the intent that you will move to employment with one of our employment partners.

No. However, we will continue to work with you to support your success in employment and access to higher education.

Most lessons are asynchronous. You can complete on your own pace.
You will meet one-on-one with your assigned advisor at least 3 times per semester for at least one year, longer if you qualify and access additional scholarships that the Career Center offers.

The Work Readiness Program does not have funding for college. However, once employed, you will have access to the CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship and/or QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Janathan Gabay

jonathan.gabay@cuny.edu

Apply

Apply Now

Lead Teacher Cohort

Are you under 25, looking for employment and hoping to work with young children? The NY Early Childhood Work Readiness Program is for you!

Join the program to get the support and services you need to prepare you for a job as a lead teacher, at no cost to you.

Full financial assistance

Program includes:

A dedicated career advisor

Connection to support services

Access to information and applications for college scholarships through the Early Childhood Workforce programs
Resume support
Employment search and support

Direct connection with employment partners
Fees for NYS Birth - 2 Teacher certification including:

Application

Workshops

Exam

Test prep
Application fees to CUNY or SUNY Graduate programs
And much more….

Eligibility

To be eligible for the program, you must meet the following criteria:

Under the age of 25

A rising senior in an early childhood BA/BS program or a graduate

Employable in New York State

Prepared to apply to a graduate program within 3 months of completion of the Work Readiness Program

Committed to work with children in child care settings for the duration of a two-year project

Information Session

Information session coming up soon

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if you are a senior completing an early childhood degree, you can join the Work Readiness Program.

Yes, as long as you have the intent that you will move to employment with one of our employment partners.

No. However, we will continue to work with you to support your success in employment and access to higher education.

Most lessons are asynchronous. You can complete on your own pace.
You will meet one-on-one with your assigned advisor at least 3 times per semester for at least one year, longer if you qualify and access additional scholarships that the Career Center offers.

The Work Readiness Program does not have funding for college. However, once employed, you will have access to the CUNY-SUNY Early Childhood Workforce Scholarship and/or QUALITYstarsNY Scholarship.

Contact

If you have any questions, please contact:

Janathan Gabay

jonathan.gabay@cuny.edu

Apply

Apply Now

Our Employment Partners

The Career Development Center created the Early Childhood Work Readiness Program in collaboration with early childhood programs that will act as employment partners.

The program is designed to prepare participants for a job as a lead teacher or assistant teacher in one of the participating early childhood programs.

Participants will have the opportunity to gain an understanding of early childhood education systems and regulations while working toward their assistant teacher or lead teacher certification.

Career Development Center advisors will meet with participants one-on-one and in groups to support them with resume writing, career mapping, communication, professional skill building, and goal-setting. At the conclusion of the semester, participants will interview with the employment partners for job placement.