How the apprenticeship program supports YMCA child care educators
When you’re starting in child care, the classroom can feel like both the best and busiest place to learn. There are songs to sing, spills to clean up, tiny hands reaching for yours, and routines to follow. It’s joyful, but it can also be overwhelming.
That’s why having the chance to learn while you work with real children, real teams, and real mentors makes all the difference.
At the YMCA of Greater Toronto, the apprenticeship program gives aspiring educators that first step. This program is more than just training; it’s about belonging. Through sponsorship, bursaries, and on-the-job learning, the YMCA supports staff as they work toward their Child Development Practitioner (CDP) designation and, ultimately, their career as a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE).
Learning while you work
For Alyssa, the apprenticeship program was the bridge between dreaming of a career in child care and actually becoming a RECE.
Her supervisor encouraged her to get support through YMCA bursaries, which allowed her to train on the job while continuing her studies. She remembers how important that balance was in helping her grow. “With the apprenticeship, I got to learn all of the YMCA’s ins and outs because I was both an employee and a student,” she explained. “I could focus on my schooling without the pressure of paying full tuition.”
In the classroom, much of her learning happened through the YMCA’s curriculum. With infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, Alyssa used YMCA Playing to Learn™, a play-based approach that turns everyday moments into opportunities. With school-age children, she saw how YMCA A Place to Connect™ gave structure to Before and After School programs while leaving room for fun and choice.
Her journey also overlapped with major life milestones. “It actually took me four years to complete the program because I had two children and got married during that time,” she said. “I was able to progress personally and professionally with the apprenticeship program.”
The YMCA’s maternity top-up benefits helped Alyssa continue on her path without giving up on her goals. Today, she is proud to be a RECE, and she credits the apprenticeship program for giving her the foundation she needed to shine.
Finding your spark through placement
Many educators get their first real feel for the job during placement. It’s where you discover if you love the work or not, and where the spark to stay in the field may first ignite.
Many educators get their first real feel for the job during placement. It’s where you discover if you love the work or not, and where the spark to stay in the field may first ignite.
Jennifer, a child care supervisor in York Region, says placement students bring fresh energy into her programs. “We actually, as supervisors and leaders, continue learning from our students because our field is ever-changing,” she said. “Some of the activities they bring on and the developmental pieces — I feel like I learn a lot from my students. We share ideas, and then we’re rewarded when they join the team.”
Susan, a supervisor in Toronto, also sees placement as a powerful opportunity for mentorship. She makes a point of checking in with students about what they want to learn. “That’s the perfect platform to show them what we do and what we provide,” she said.
Whether they’re in an early learning classroom following YMCA Playing to Learn™ or in a school age program exploring YMCA A Place to Connect™, placement students see how curriculum, care, and creativity come together in real time.
Support that makes a difference
Learning on the job isn’t always easy. There are days when nothing goes as planned, or when you feel unsure of yourself. That’s why mentorship and support are at the heart of the YMCA’s approach.
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Chantol knows this from both sides — first as an educator, and now as a recruitment coordinator for YMCA Child & Family Development. She says the real strength of these programs is how they connect new educators with people who can guide them. “It’s not just the support for school. It’s applying to school,” she explained. “It’s financial support while you’re in school. There’s so much support while you’re in school. You get your ECE credentials, and then you can be in the Supervisor Mentorship program. There are so many other things that it opens the door for, which I think is really great.”
That kind of encouragement often opens a student’s eyes to the many career possibilities in early childhood education. The YMCA supports staff every step of the way, from sponsorship and bursaries to on-the-job training that helps them succeed while they work toward their CDP designation.
Before now, only CDP and RECE have been mentioned. So, please spell out the full name and add (ECE).
Growing with the YMCA
One of the best parts of starting with an apprenticeship or placement is that it can lead to employment. Many educators who first came to the YMCA as students are now in full-time roles or even leadership.
Alyssa is one example, but she’s not alone. Dozens of YMCA supervisors, managers, and mentors began as placement students or apprentices. The support they received early on inspired them to keep growing, and today they’re paying that forward to the next generation of educators.
The programs themselves continue to evolve as well. Alongside the established apprenticeship program, the YMCA recently introduced the ECE Bridge to Work Program, designed to help more aspiring educators get started. These pathways ensure there are options for different stages of the journey, whether you’re just beginning as a student or retraining for a new career.
Why apprenticeship and placement programs matter
It’s not just about ticking a box for school. Apprenticeship and placement programs at the YMCA are about creating a sense of belonging, showing new educators that their work has value, and helping them see a future in the field.
What to expect from a placement
If you’re thinking about starting your career through an apprenticeship or placement at the YMCA, here’s what you’ll find:
- Hands-on learning: Real classrooms with real children, supported by experienced mentors
- Curriculum in action: YMCA Playing to Learn™ for early years, YMCA A Place to Connect™ for school age programs
- Flexibility: Opportunities to balance work, school, and life
- Support: Supervisors and teammates who guide you when challenges come up
- Benefits that matter: From sponsorship and bursaries to supports like maternity top-up
- Growth opportunities: Clear pathways to becoming a RECE and beyond into leadership
A first step with lasting impact
Apprenticeship and placement programs are more than just starting points — they are the foundation of a career. They give you the chance to learn, belong, and discover the spark that keeps so many educators inspired year after year.
As Alyssa, Jennifer, Susan, and Chantol remind us, what begins as a student placement or apprenticeship can lead to a lifelong passion. It can open the door to leadership, or it can simply give you the confidence to say, “I’m ready to be an educator.”
