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Over the past month, the BBF team has traveled around the state, visiting with partners and participants to share information on ECE apprenticeships and how BBF supports them through resources and financial support. We started the month with a trip to Chicago for a conference hosted by Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS), a California-based sector intermediary and sponsor of registered apprenticeships for the ECE occupation.
Chicago
The Early Care & Education Pathways to Success (ECEPTS) Apprenticeship Boot Camp in Chicago brought together representatives from workforce development boards, community colleges, and early learning institutions from across the country - as far away as Alaska! During the two-day conference, attendees took a deep dive into the structure of ECEPTS’ own apprenticeship model. We discussed ways to address barriers to success, diversity and equity, and the unique strategy of ‘building and flying’ the ECE apprenticeship plane. Apprenticeship models in this field are relatively new and complex in comparison to other trades, but the concept is quickly catching on as a recruitment and retention solution for child care centers strapped for high-quality talent. Also at the conference were our friends at Durham Pre-K CCSA! They are sponsoring an apprenticeship agreement in Durham County and are adding to their long list of interested employers wanting to be part of their agreement.
 The BBF Team with Maggie West and Tammorah Mathis of Durham CCSA |
 Megan Johnson and Morgan Ford with Randi Wolfe, ECEPTS Executive Director |
New Hanover County
We paid a visit to several sites in New Hanover that are exploring opportunities with ECE apprenticeships. We met with Cape Fear Community College, which operates two centers, Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center, which is open to the community, and a new drop-off center for CFCC students to use while they attend classes. A great concept! We stopped by The Learning Center and toured Spark Academy’s new facility, which is now open to students. You might recall that when we stopped by Spark Academy in May, they were very much under construction! Our last stop was Smart Start of New Hanover, where we presented to child care centers on the ECE apprenticeship model and outlined BBF support.
 Morgan Ford and Megan Johnson outside Cape Fear Community College in Wilmington, NC |
 CaSandra Pittman and Benita Miller of Bonnie Sanders Burney Child Development Center in Wilmington, NC |
Columbus County
Southeastern Community College held a Lunch-and-Learn hour on October 12 where we presented to local child care center directors, CCR&R agency referral specialists, and public school system representatives. Southeastern CC is sponsoring an apprenticeship agreement and signing local employers to their agreement. Like Cape Fear CC, Southeastern CC has an on-site child care center, and students who are taking the early childhood courses can complete their work-based-learning hours here.
Mecklenburg County
Our final stop this month was to Mecklenburg County, where we set up a career fair booth – a first for BBF! - at Northwest School of the Arts. Copious amounts of swag and candy were handed out with many students expressing a desire to work with young children. Engaging our youth in career opportunities early on is crucial to the success of our ECE workforce, and it is our mission to continue that engagement throughout the duration of this grant. Before heading back to Raleigh, we said hola! to our friends at Charlotte Bilingual Preschool (CBP). BBF is supporting a number of CBP apprentices, with more expected in the spring semester! They expressed gratitude for the financial support received thus far for supplies, wages, and trainings for their apprentices, and it was impactful to see first-hand how our support is making a difference.
 Megan Johnson and Morgan Ford enjoy the colorful and engaging lobby at Charlotte Bilingual Preschool in Charlotte, NC. |
 Megan Johnson and Morgan Ford talk to students about BBF at the Northwest School of the Arts in Charlotte, NC. |
It was a packed yet fruitful October for BBF, and with every place we visited, the message remains the same: there is a critical level of support needed for our early child care workforce. There is also great local leadership behind this mission to help drive that support.
To those we visited, many thanks for the hospitality!
October 2023 Newsletter Article