The Early Childhood Education Career Training Program is recruiting participants for its 2026-2027 cycle. This free program provides training and job experience for people who want to start a career as an infant, toddler or preschool teacher. The program runs from October 2026 to June 2027.

Participants in the program prepare to earn the nationally recognized Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential and become an Early Education and Care (EEC) certified teacher in Massachusetts. During the program, participants take an online early childhood course, complete a paid internship at a licensed early childhood program in Cambridge, receive on-site observations and feedback sessions, get help with career planning, and more.

"My experience in the ECE program has been truly meaningful and transformative," explains Angela, a program participant who is currently working as an intern at the Department of Human Service Programs' Tobin Preschool. "It's been an incredibly valuable opportunity because it is accessible and opens doors for people who are passionate about working with children."

"Through this program, I've been able to connect and socialize with professionals in the early childhood education field, learn from experienced teachers, and gain real classroom experience," she says. "This experience has helped me grow both personally and professionally. It has strengthened my confidence, expanded my knowledge of child development, and inspired me even more to continue in this field." Angela will graduate from the program in June 2026.

The Early Childhood Education Career Training Program might be right for you if:

• You are looking for entry-level training to enter the field of Early Childhood Education
• You are interested in becoming an EEC certified teacher in Massachusetts
• You are ready to commit to a long-term career as an early childhood educator
• You are available to work mornings in a licensed childcare center in Cambridge

To learn more, sign up for an information session. Information sessions will be held from May to August. The deadline to apply is August 14, 2026.

If you are currently working in Cambridge as an early childhood educator and want to earn your CDA, contact Emily Callejas, Workforce Development Manager at the Cambridge Office of Early Childhood: [email protected] or 617-349-9785.

For more information about the program, visit www.cambridgema.gov/EarlyChildhoodCareer.