Building a Pathway Into Early Childhood Education
In Long Branch, Maryland, families need access to high-quality early childhood education. At the same time, early childhood centers are working to recruit and retain qualified educators, while residents interested in the field can face barriers to training, credentials, and employment.
Story Tapestries brought together partners to address those needs through the Long Branch Early Childhood Educator Pipeline.
With support from the Maryland Department of Labor’s EARN program, Story Tapestries worked with LAYC, Ineduin, CHEER, the Children’s Opportunity Alliance, local employers, and community members to create a workforce pathway for residents.
Story Tapestries provided its Write Your Story educator training and arts-integrated approach. Partners provided workforce readiness and employment services, bilingual credentialing, community connections, early childhood sector data, and employer relationships.
The program also addressed practical barriers to participation. Participants received paid training, bilingual instruction, transportation assistance, materials, coaching, and workforce support.
The first cohort included 15 participants. Thirteen completed the 90-hour Early Childhood Education Certificate, and nine had secured jobs in the field by graduation.
One of those participants was Gabriella. At graduation, she reflected on an opportunity she had once thought was financially out of reach. She left the program with a new professional credential and a pathway toward a career helping young children learn and thrive.
The work is continuing. Based on employer feedback, the next cohort will include additional training to prepare educators to support children with disabilities and other identified needs. The program also plans to expand support for current educators who need to maintain credentials, advance professionally, and increase their earning potential.
For Story Tapestries, getting it done means bringing organizations, employers, and community members together to remove barriers and create a more accessible pathway into the early childhood education workforce.
