Louisiana

Early

Childhood

EducatIon

ApprenticEship

A statewide apprenticeship program helping Louisiana build and sustain a strong, skilled early childhood workforce.

Purpose

The 4PXP Louisiana Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship (LECEA) is Louisiana’s first federally registered apprenticeship program (RAP) for early childhood educators. Developed by For Providers By Providers (4PXP), LECEA is a strategic, targeted workforce initiative created and designed to:

Address critical staffing shortages

Reduce high turnover rates in early learning

Build a sustainable pipeline of skilled lead teachers

Program Overview

LECEA offers a structured, accessible pathway into the early childhood field—blending real-world, hands-on practice and training, personalized coaching, mentorship, and classroom-based learning. The program will equip apprentices with a nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and opportunities for more accessible continued education. 4PXP ensures that apprentices receive competitive wages and comprehensive support services to complete the program successfully. The LECEA program is built on a strong partnership between apprentices and early childhood education centers—creating the right environment with the right team and support to thrive.

This apprenticeship program strengthens Louisiana’s early learning workforce, enhances access to quality education, and creates economic opportunities for communities statewide. Ultimately, LECEA strengthens the early childhood ecosystem by building a strong, sustainable pipeline of exemplar lead teachers—the workforce behind the workforce.

Together, these components create a robust foundation for workforce development, ensuring more children across Louisiana have access to high-quality early care and education.

What Is an Apprentice?


An apprentice is an individual who learns by doing—gaining real-world experience in a child care setting while receiving structured instruction, mentorship, and coaching.

In the LECEA program, apprentices work directly with young children in high-quality licensed early childhood centers while progressing toward earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential and Louisiana’s Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate (ECAC). Apprentices are both learners and contributors, receiving paid work experience, educational support, and personalized guidance to grow into effective, long-term early educators.

Apprentices are:

  • New to the field or building on existing experience

  • Paid and either placed at a participating ECE center or continue working at their current one

  • Supported by exemplar lead mentor teachers, CDA coaches, success coordinators, and other supportive individuals and resources

  • On a path to becoming credentialed lead teachers

Apprenticeship is not just a job—it’s a career-building journey in early education.



Provider Partnerships

Employer Partners are essential to LECEA’s success. Employer Partners are Type III Early Childhood Education Centers or FCC centers licensed in the state of Louisiana.

These early learning centers support in providing:

  • On-the-job training in live classroom environments under the supervision of an Exemplar Mentor Teacher

  • Structured guidance, coaching, and regular feedback to help apprentices develop skills, implement developmentally appropriate practices, and build confidence in their roles.

  • Real-world experience with an opportunity for program graduates to step into lead teacher roles.

One of the key things that sets LECEA apart is its related technical instruction—a targeted curriculum shaped by providers, for educators. The curriculum reflects what early childhood teachers truly need to thrive in real classrooms.

This approach sets up Employer Partners for success—ensuring apprentices are well-prepared, feel supported, and are ready to contribute from day one and grow every day after.

our PROGRAM

Have Questions? Contact the Program Director,

Letara Vellos

Email: letara.vellos@forprovidersbyproviders.org

Phone: 504-264-3690

The Early Childhood Teacher Corps , operating under For Providers By Providers, is an AmeriCorps State Sub grantee.