Special Announcement
The NEW T.E.A.C.H. application portal opens Friday, April 19, 2024 at 7 AM! The summer application deadline has been extended to May 1, 2024.
If you have questions, please contact us at teachearlychildhooodvermont@vtaeyc.org.
Apprenticeship Model
For Early Childhood Educators who want to gain education & experience in the field.
VTAEYC and the VT Department of Labor collaborate to offer the Vermont Early Childhood Education Apprenticeship Program. Employers who are interested in supporting an apprentice team, match the apprentice with a qualified mentor, who is an educated and experienced employee in their workplace.
Apprentices document competency and skill building through supervised on-the-job training, complete a specific sequence of 6-7 college courses, and participate in additional community-based trainings to gain the knowledge and skills needed to work more effectively.
Financial Example: Use this sheet to view the estimated total costs of a one year scholarship contract.
Associate Degree Model
For Early Childhood Educators seeking to earn an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education.
This scholarship program for early childhood educators offers scholarship funds to take courses toward an Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education at CCV. It is a partnership between the recipient, the program where they are employed, and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont that enables early childhood educators to improve their skills, receive a financial reward and continue the availability of quality child care in local communities.
Financial Example: Use this sheet to view the estimated total costs of a one year scholarship contract.
Eligibility
Any family child care provider, center teacher, or center director who is registered or licensed with the Vermont Child Development Division is eligible. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and commitment to the Early Childhood Education field, as shown through information provided on the application.
Funding
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont provides funding for 100% of tuition and books, provides an access stipend each semester, reimburses the program for a portion of the release time given, provides a $300 contract completion bonus for recipients and provides counseling and administrative support for the program.
Scholarship Extensions
Scholarships can be extended for another year as long as funds are available, and as long as the recipient and early childhood education program continues to be eligible. T.E.A.C.H. will award scholarship contract renewals so the family child care provider, center teacher, or director can continue taking courses.
Bachelor's Degree Model
For Early Childhood Educators seeking to earn a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education or a Bachelors Degree with an Endorsement or Concentration in Early Childhood Education.
This scholarship program for early childhood educators offers scholarship funds to take courses toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education at one of five higher education institutions. It is a partnership between the recipient, the program where they are employed, and T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont that enables early childhood educators to improve their skills, receive a financial reward and continue the availability of quality child care in local communities.
Higher Education Institutions:
- Vermont State University-Online
- Vermont State University-Castleton
- Saint Michael’s College
- Springfield College
- Champlain College
Eligibility
Any family child care provider, center teacher, or center director who is registered or licensed with the Vermont Child Development Division is eligible. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of need and commitment to the Early Childhood Education field, as shown through information provided on the application.
Funding
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont provides funding for 100% of tuition and books, provides an access stipend each semester, reimburses the program for a portion of the release time given, provides a $500 contract completion bonus for recipients and provides counseling and administrative support for the program.
Scholarship Extensions
Scholarships can be extended for another year as long as funds are available, and as long as the recipient and early childhood education program continues to be eligible. T.E.A.C.H. will award scholarship contract renewals so the family child care provider, center teacher, or director can continue taking courses.
Licensure Model
For family child care providers, center teachers, and directors who already hold a BA to:
Take courses toward an endorsement in Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Special Education; OR
Complete the Peer Review process; OR
Receive guidance and support while developing a reflective professional portfolio.
Eligibility
Any family child care provider, center teacher, or director who holds a BA and whose program is licensed (or registered if you are a family child care provider) with the Vermont Child Development Division is eligible. Scholarships are awarded on the commitment to the Early Childhood Education field, as shown through information provided on the application.
Bonus
A financial bonus of $250 is awarded upon completion of the required 3-9 credits of coursework within the contract year or attainment of a teaching license.
Scholarship Extensions
Scholarships can be extended for another year as long as funds are available, and as long as the recipient and early childhood education program continues to be eligible, T.E.A.C.H. will award scholarship contract renewals so the family child care provider, center teacher, or director can continue taking courses.
Courses through the VT Higher Education Collaborative
Tier 1 Program
EC or ECSE Endorsement – Designed for educators who currently possess or who are eligible for a Vermont educator license. Programs include courses needed to fulfill licensure competencies enabling the educator to add an ECE (18 credits) or ECSE (21 credits) endorsement. These EC/ECSE courses are graduate level courses
Tier 2 Program
EC or ECSE Initial License – for educators who have a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in a related field EC/ECSE programs are 21-30 credits; the specific number of courses will be based on the individual’s professional and academic background. Participants in the Tier 2 programs take the same courses as Tier 1; however in order for Tier 2 candidates to meet Vermont’s requirements for initial licensure, they must also complete a supervised student teaching experience and a licensure portfolio.
Peer Review through the Vermont Agency of Education
Vermont offers an “alternate route to licensure” for those who have not completed a traditional educator preparation program at a college or university. Vermont’s alternate route is  License by Evaluation or “Peer Review.” Every Peer Review candidate completes a portfolio, which  is reviewed by experienced teachers culminating in an interview.
Requirements:
- A candidate must hold a B.A./ B.S./ B.F.A. Official transcripts may be sent to AOE.Transcripts@vermont.gov.
- All Praxis Core (or alternate test scores) and Praxis II (if applicable to endorsement sought) successfully passed and scores submitted to Agency of Education.
- A current resume – please include relevant teaching experience.
- Attend a peer review clinic. Clinic attendees will receive a certificate of attendance to submit with their completed portfolios.
Portfolio Reflection Course for Peer Review
Students who are seeking Vermont Licensure will develop a reflective professional portfolio following the guidelines for the Vermont Licensure Portfolio. This portfolio serves as a tool to collect, select, reflect and synthesize the students’ teaching experiences and college-level knowledge through mentoring and peer interaction. The students provide evidence and analyze their proficiency for each of the ten Vermont Core Teaching Standards and and reflect on the Early Childhood Endorsement area. The portfolio supports the application for Early Childhood Initial Licensure in the state of Vermont. This course is offered at Castleton University or Champlain College.
Prerequisites:
- Bachelor’s Degree
- Testing requirements complete
- 3 years of experience in the field of Early Education or Early Childhood Special Education
For More Information:
Please see the Frequently Asked Questions below, contact us at teachearlychildhooodvermont@vtaeyc.org, or by calling (802) 234-1090, ext 1.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Vermont is a licensed program of Child Care Services Association.
