Problem/Challenge
Nationally, enrollment in traditional teacher preparation programs has dramatically declined over the past fifteen years. Pennsylvania is one of the states with the greatest decline in the number of students in the teacher pipeline. As the need for highly qualified teachers has increased, so has the critical need for highly qualified childcare educators working with children from birth to age five. The national crisis in childcare continues to escalate around the factors of childcare access, qualified childcare educators, and the skyrocketing costs of providing developmentally appropriate and high-quality care. The lack of care impacts workforce development and community economic health. According to the Pennsylvania Chamber, “The state’s economy loses nearly 3.5 billion dollars annually due to a lack of childcare options.”
Solution
The early childhood apprenticeship program was built with, and not just for, our students. It was designed and is continually refined in collaboration with participating Carlow students, partnering childcare center directors, and regional, State, and national advisory groups. The program directly responds to national critical needs in teacher vacancies, declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs, and childcare access and quality across the country.
The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Apprenticeship Program at Carlow University was designed with a two-fold purpose: 1) to promote high quality child/educator interactions and the quality of childcare centers, and 2) to remove barriers to degree attainment for those educators in childcare and provide a pathway to teacher licensure
Educational attainment has a ripple effect. Young children benefit from the quality of improved child-teacher interactions, childcare centers improve in overall quality, childcare center directors experience improved educator retention. Professionalism in the field of early childhood results in greater legislative advocacy, and, hopefully, increased statue and wages for those serving in teaching and educational administrative roles.
The quality of education for a child is directly related to the qualifications of the teacher or childcare educator. The increased educational qualifications among teachers of young children is associated with greater long-term social, economic, educational, and behavioral outcomes for the children they serve.
Impact by the Numbers
- Since program launch in 2019, seventy-four students have graduated from the program
- The program supports educators in childcare centers across six counties in Western, PA and two counties in Central, PA.
- Currently 75 childcare and PreK centers have apprenticeship students enrolled at Carlow. Throughout the last six years, the apprenticeship team has partnered with 96 different centers in support of apprenticeship students.
- One hundred sixty-two students are currently enrolled in the program
- Three apprenticeship students have been selected to serve as Fellows in the Teach Plus Pennsylvania Teaching Policy Fellowship
- Over the past five years, faculty and staff have written or presented on the program regionally and nationally 18 times
- Retention in the two bachelor program options for apprenticeship students averages 90%
The most recent evaluation was completed in May of 2025. Of the 83 respondents:
56% had pay increase because of educational attainment in the program over the past year
94% are very or extremely likely to recommend the program to others. 88% found the available of online and evening classes very or extremely valuable
Personal Story
Kyle currently works as an Assistant Preschool teacher in a PreK Counts classroom. “Until starting at Carlow, I considered this a job. I knew I did it well, and I knew my work was important, but I saw myself as a worker at a childcare center. Now I see myself as a teacher. I am an educator.” “My general education core from the community college easily transferred to Carlow. I enjoy my on-the-job classes in the apprenticeship program and connecting my work with class competencies.”
Kyle’s involvement in the apprenticeship program led to advocacy work in early childhood education. “The Director of Carlow’s Apprenticeship Program, Susan Polojac, connected with me Laura Boyce, the Executive Director of Teach Plus PA, and I applied to be a fellow. Being around other passionate educators who care about the same things I care about, really made me feel like I belong. I now consider myself an advocate, and I am very proud of the advocacy work I’ve done.” – Kyle Bender, junior Education major
More Than an Academic Initiative
The Dr. Rae Ann Hirsh Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program is more than a degree pathway—it’s an effective workforce solution in childcare. In addition to academic instruction, additional services provided to students include:
- Scholarships Funding from PDO and State Grants
- On-the-Job Coursework
- A Program Mentor and Coach
- A Lending Library of Textbooks
- Enriching Professional Development
- Opportunities to Engage in Professional Advocacy
- Support for CDA Certification and Director Credential Application
- Technology Support