Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Jan McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center at Indiana State University as an apprenticeship site for Ivy Tech students pursuing careers in early childhood education.
The partnership is part of Indiana’s Registered Apprenticeship program, supported by the Indiana Department of Workforce Development’s Office of Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship. By combining on-the-job training with academic instruction, this program enables individuals interested in or currently working in early childhood education to earn a CDA Process Certificate—a short-term credential that includes the Child Development Associate (CDA), a nationally recognized certification for early childhood educators—while working full-time. The coursework completed can then be applied toward an associate degree for those who choose to continue their education.
The model is designed to remove many of the financial and logistical barriers that often prevent working adults from advancing their education.
“This partnership represents a strong example of what local collaboration around early childhood education can accomplish,” said Carrie Ball, Interim Dean of Indiana State University’s Bayh College of Education. “It’s also a great example of how partnerships between Ivy Tech and Indiana State can support early childhood education to expand opportunities for individuals who are already working in the field.”
The initiative is supported by a $21.9 million, three-year grant that the Ivy Tech Foundation received from Lilly Endowment Inc., which is helping Ivy Tech Community College to strengthen Indiana’s early childhood education workforce across the state. In addition to the Jan McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center, two other local private employers are participating as apprenticeship partners, further growing the regional pipeline for qualified early childhood educators.
“The apprenticeship pathway allows students to gain practical, hands-on experience working with young learners at the McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center, and other local childcare centers,” added Krissie Pickering, Chair for Ivy Tech Terre Haute’s Early Childhood Education Program. “The students will learn best practices and child development fundamentals in class and have the opportunity to put those skills into practice when they are at the apprenticeship site.”
Leaders from both institutions say the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing workforce needs while supporting the development of highly trained educators who can make an impact in early learning environments.
The Jan McCarthy Early Childhood Education Center at Indiana State University serves as both a high-quality early learning program for children and a training site for students preparing for careers in education. By serving as an apprenticeship site, the center will provide Ivy Tech students with valuable real-world experience while helping meet the growing demand for skilled early childhood professionals in West Central Indiana.
The partnership underscores the long-standing relationship between Indiana State University and Ivy Tech Community College in expanding access to education, strengthening the educator workforce, and supporting the needs of the communities they serve.