Incentive Programs

For all incentive awards, please mail or fax your W9 to ECP according to the following instructions. We cannot guarantee the security of your information if you upload or email your W9.

Fax: 406-404-1627

Mailing Address:

ECP/MSU

PO Box 173540

Bozeman MT 59717

W9

Registered Child Development Associate (CDA) Apprenticeship

WHAT IS IT?

The Early Childhood Services Bureau, in collaboration with Early Childhood Project and the MT Department of Labor & Industry are pleased to announce the development of a Childhood Development Associate Registered Apprenticeship Program. The competency-based program will be offered in a cohort over a period of one year.

The program will offer a Registered Apprenticeship that is 144 hours in total of training. The trainings will fulfill the requirements of the Preschool or Family Group CDA Credential. This includes: 

    • Orientation courses or annual training hours: 16 hours 
    • CDA A Course: Preschool and Family CDA training content: 60 hours
    • CDA-B Course: focus on CDA Portfolio completion: 48 hours
    • 20 hours of training that is chosen by the employer and apprentice. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?

  • 144 hours of training that support completion of a CDA Certificate
  • Upon completion, receipt of a nationally recognized occupational credential through Registered Apprenticeship
  • Topics include all 8 of the CDA Competency Standards
  • Apprentices and mentors will earn financial incentives for completing program requirements
  • After completion, the apprentice will meet the requirements to achieve a level 3 on the Montana Practitioner’s Registry
  • Training expenses such as, CDA book, verification visit, and exam, are covered

APPRENTICE QUALIFICATIONS

  • 18 years or older
  • Be a level 2 or lower on the Montana Practitioner Registry
  • Work in a licensed childcare program
  • Complete training through ChildCareTraining.org
  • Must have access to a computer and internet
  • Courses will be online in a synchronous learning style
  • Complete weekly reading and assignments
  • Regularly meet with a mentor to discuss fundamental theories and their practical application

The cohort model supports 15 Registered CDA Apprentices during each training session. 

I'm interested, what's next?

The next cohort is scheduled to begin September 2, 2025. It will be taught on CCT's learning platform.

 

Step 1: Complete the following interest form: ECP WILL BEGIN COLLECTING INTEREST FOR THE NEXT COHORT (FALL 2026) VERY SOON. STAY TUNED. 

Step 2: Once you have completed the interest form, ECP will connect you with a link to register for a 1 to 2 hour learning session that will detail the program requirements for all interested people. 

Mentors and Sponsors For Apprentices

Who will make a great sponsor? 

  • A state licensed child care program. 
  • Be able to fulfill the program requirements outlined by the Montana Department of Labor and Industry (DLI).   
  • Willing to provide a wage progression that supports the apprentice as they complete their certification. 
    • Wage progression amount is determined by the employer (Sponsor) 
  • Complete record keeping and required forms to be a Sponsor with DLI. 

Benefits to the sponsor 

  • Potential tax incentives for your business.
  • Free training for employee that provides skills to provide high quality child care in a short amount of time.  
  • Employee retainment increases with increased knowledge and wage progression.
  • Increased positive interactions with families and caregivers.  

 

 Who will make a great mentor 

  • Support pre-apprentice apply theory to practice by meeting with apprentice often 
  • Support a pre-apprentice practice child care programs policies and state rules and regulations 
  • Lead by example, have or starting to develop leadership skills  
  • Participate in quarterly community of practice meetings with other RAP mentors 
  • Willing to complete a 20-hour Montana Mentors training.
  • Be a level 3 or higher  

–or- 

  • Lead teacher for 1+ year 

-or- 

  • PDS 1 or higher 

-or- 

  • 5+ years working in child care 

Benefits to the Mentor 

  • Practice leadership skills 
  • Access to leadership skill gains and support through community of practice and free trainings 
  • Support high quality child care practices 

 

Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program

Childcare Development Specialist

About

The Montana Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (MECAP) aims to support and increase retention of early childhood education (ECE) providers through on-the-job training, mentorship, and college coursework. Upon completing the program, apprentices are awarded the Child Care Development Specialist Certificate from Montana’s Department of Labor and Industry and reach Level 4 on the Montana Practitioner Registry. MECAP is a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). A RAP is a government-run, on-the-job, paid training program model that is validated through the U.S. Department of Labor or a state agency. Traditionally, RAPs have been developed to support a range of industries and occupations across the country, including skilled trade-related occupations (e.g., electricians or carpenters).

The traditional RAP model combines four core components:

  1. Facilitating employer involvement to allow apprentices to be paid while they develop their skills
  2. Providing career-related educational instruction
  3. Offering incentives for skills gained
  4. Awarding a nationally recognized occupational credential upon completion

To develop a RAP targeting the ECE workforce, Montana’s Department of Labor and the Early Childhood Services Bureau combined their expertise to create MECAP. 

Montana Universities offering apprenticeship eligible courses:

  • Dawson Community College**
  • Flathead Valley Community College
  • University of Montana Western**
  • Montana State University
  • Great Falls College-MSU

**colleges/universities with an online option for completing apprenticeship courses.

Earn while you learn.

 

Benefits of completing an apprenticeship:

  • Will have the support of a skilled early childhood mentor.
  • Earn 24 early childhood college credits from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Earn a nationally recognized credential: Child Care Development Specialist.
  • 2 years of documented work experience aligned with state and national early childhood standards.
  • Move to Level 4 on the Practitioner Registry Career Path.
  • Increase marketability to employers and job security.

To qualify for the program:

 Is an apprenticeship right for me?

The apprentice must:

  • Minimum of 16 years of age.
  • Physically capable.
  • Have the basic occupational aptitudes and language skills to be a childcare specialist.
  • Willing to commit to the program.
  • Have not achieved Level 4 on Career Path.
  • Working a minimum of 30 hours a week in a licensed childcare.

The Sponsoring program will:

  • Be licensed with MT DPHHS or Tribal Agency, Head Start, public or state funded PreK program.
  • Have a qualified on-site mentor.
  • Be able to fulfill the program requirements outlined by the Department of Labor & Industry. 

 

Organization Accreditation Scholarships

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) Accreditation

The intent of this scholarship program to promote NAFCC accreditation for state registered family and group child care homes. See the application below for criteria and how to apply.

Step 1: NAFCC Accreditation Scholarship

Step 2: NAFCC Accreditation Scholarship

Renewal: NAFCC Accreditation Scholarship

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) Accreditation

The NAEYC accreditation process is designed for child care centers, preschools, school-age programs, and kindergartens. Scholarships are available to help pay the costs of the three tiers in the NAEYC accreditation process and for the Annual Renewal fee.

Apply for this scholarship when you begin the process with NAEYC.  Please contact NAEYC to verify the costs of accreditation for your program. For more information about NAEYC accreditation visit their website.

TIER 1:Recognition

TIER 2: Accreditation

TIER 3: Accreditation +

Annual Renewal Fee

Practitioner Registry Award for Achievement of GED or HiSET

Did you join the Practitioner Registry at Membership status and complete your high school equivalency (HiSET or GED)? In order to qualify you must be current on the registry at membership level and achieve a GED or HISET. If you meet all of the requirements you may qualify for the $200 award. Apply for this award by logging in to your registry account and selecting the Incentives and Awards tab. 

Professional Development Incentive Award-Higher Education

This award has been developed with the goal of improving the quality of early care and education for young
children and families, by promoting early childhood education college coursework, college certificate, and degree
attainment. PDIA—HE participants may receive $1000 for completion of a minimum of 6 early childhood credits or
$400 for completion of 2-5 early childhood credits.

In order to qualify for the award applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. An individual must have a current Practitioner Registry Certificate at the time of application. ECP will check your registry status online upon receipt of your application.

2. Applicants must currently work a minimum of 15 hours per week in one of the following settings. Settings must be licensed with the state of Montana. **PLEASE NOTE: Applicants must be currently employed in a licensed setting at the time payment is issued. If applicants are end dated in the licensing system before payment is issued, they will be denied payment.**

  • State licensed registered group or family child care home
  • State licensed child care program
  • Montana licensed Head Start or licensed Tribal Head Start
  • Montana Child Care Resource and Referral Agency
  • Regulated Licensed Tribal child care

3. The following education will qualify:

  • College courses that lead to a national credential such as Child Development Associate/CDA), Montana Child Care Development Specialist Apprenticeship Certificate, 30 College Credit Early Childhood Certificate, Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s Degree in Early Childhood. Verification of completion of coursework with a grade of ‘C’ or higher is required.
  • Undergraduate and graduate courses must be taken through a regionally accredited Montana college or
    university.
  • If the MT Infant Toddler or Preschool Teacher Education Course is being taken for 4 college credits along with additional early childhood courses, it may be used to receive this award under the 6 credits or more option. If you choose to do this, you will not be eligible to receive the $500 award for I/T or Preschool course completion through the Early Childhood Services Bureau.

How To Apply

W-9