Children learning together in a classroom

EECI Online School

A 10-week, job-ready pathway for early childhood educators

Built for working adults. Clear milestones. Weekly live learning + practice assignments. Designed to support CDA prep and apprenticeship readiness.

View the 10-week scheduleSee milestones
10
Weeks
1
Weekly live session
Built-in
Portfolio + coaching checkpoints

Get enrollment details

Send your email and we'll follow up with the next start date, format options, and funding steps.

Funding note: Many learners use WIOA, SNAP E&T, TANF, or employer sponsorship to cover training costs.

Milestones

Clear checkpoints your learners can actually finish

This is a 10-week structure EECI runs as a 315 hour cohort. Each milestone includes what learners complete and what evidence they'll produce.

Weeks 1–2
Evidence: Signed learner agreement + completed career plan

Orientation + Career Plan

  • Learner onboarding + success plan
  • Baseline skills check + goal setting
  • Professional expectations, attendance, and communication norms
Weeks 3–4
Evidence: Practice observation notes + safety checklist

CDA Foundations + Observation Readiness

  • Child development basics (birth–8)
  • Health, safety, and learning environment essentials
  • Observation prep + documentation practice
Weeks 5–6
Evidence: Portfolio draft submitted for review

Portfolio Build Sprint

  • Portfolio artifacts drafted (statements, resources, reflections)
  • Coaching checkpoint + edits
  • Professional ethics + integrity expectations
Weeks 7–8
Evidence: Readiness checklist + work-based learning plan

Apprenticeship Readiness + Work-Based Learning

  • Work process expectations + task rotation mindset
  • Employer/site readiness (supervision, qualified mentors)
  • Documentation habits for compliance and audits
Weeks 9–10
Evidence: Graduation checklist completed + next-step plan

Final Review + Next-Step Launch

  • Final portfolio polish + submission plan
  • Interview + job placement readiness
  • Funding & enrollment next steps (WIOA/SNAP E&T/TANF/employer)

Employer note (for apprenticeship-host sites): training should follow the approved Work Process Schedule and Related Instruction Outline, including task rotation and adequate supervision.

Course schedule

10-week cohort plan (weekly live session + assignments)

Week 1

Orientation + Success Plan

Milestone: Career plan submitted

Live session

Welcome, expectations, how the 10-week school works (online/hybrid/in-person options)

Assignments

  • Complete learner intake + baseline self-assessment
  • Write a 1-page career goal statement (CDA / apprenticeship / both)
  • Set your weekly study schedule (minimum 3 blocks)
Week 2

Professionalism + Communication

Milestone: Readiness checklist complete

Live session

Professional boundaries, confidentiality, and communication with families & teams

Assignments

  • Draft your professional bio + resume bullet updates
  • Practice documentation: daily note + incident report example
  • Choose your observation site (or confirm your workplace classroom)
Week 3

Child Development (Birth–8)

Milestone: Portfolio artifact #1 drafted

Live session

Developmental domains + what to look for in real classrooms

Assignments

  • Create a simple developmental milestone reference sheet
  • Reflect: 3 strengths + 3 growth areas in your current practice
  • Start portfolio artifact #1 (draft)
Week 4

Safe, Healthy Learning Environments

Milestone: Observation practice submitted

Live session

Health/safety basics, routines, and learning environment setup

Assignments

  • Complete a classroom safety walkthrough checklist
  • Create a daily schedule + transitions plan
  • Practice observation notes (15–20 minutes)
Week 5

Guidance + Behavior Support

Milestone: Portfolio artifact #2 drafted

Live session

Developmentally appropriate guidance, behavior detective mindset

Assignments

  • Write a guidance plan for 2 common scenarios
  • Portfolio artifact #2 (draft)
  • Peer review: swap artifacts and give feedback
Week 6

Family Engagement + Culture & Language

Milestone: Portfolio draft submitted

Live session

Culturally responsive practice + supporting multilingual families

Assignments

  • Create a family engagement resource list (5 items)
  • Portfolio artifact #3 (draft)
  • Coaching checkpoint: portfolio review + edits
Week 7

Observation + Evidence

Milestone: Observation packet complete

Live session

How to document what you see, align evidence to competencies

Assignments

  • Complete 1 full observation practice packet
  • Update portfolio artifacts based on feedback
  • Prepare your submission plan (what's missing + timeline)
Week 8

Apprenticeship Readiness

Milestone: Readiness plan complete

Live session

Work process schedules, task rotation, supervision, and audit-friendly habits

Assignments

  • Build your work-based learning plan (tasks + rotation)
  • Employer/site checklist (mentor, supervision, schedule)
  • Draft your apprenticeship interest statement
Week 9

Career Launch + Interview Prep

Milestone: Portfolio final review ready

Live session

Interview practice + job placement readiness (what employers ask)

Assignments

  • Update resume + 1 cover letter template
  • Mock interview (record or live)
  • Finalize portfolio artifacts
Week 10

Final Review + Next Steps

Milestone: Graduation checklist complete

Live session

Graduation checklist + next-step funding/enrollment plan

Assignments

  • Submit final portfolio (or schedule final submission support)
  • Complete your next-step plan (CDA submission / apprenticeship onboarding / both)
  • Complete program feedback survey

Tip: If you're running this for an employer cohort, add a 15-minute weekly supervisor check-in so learners can connect course work to on-the-job tasks.

Ready to run this as your next cohort?

We'll confirm the next start date, delivery format (online, hybrid, or in-person), and the best funding path for your learners (WIOA, SNAP E&T, TANF, employer sponsorship, or self-pay).

Contact EECI
Built for working adults
Evenings, weekends, and employer-cohort friendly.
Milestones that reduce drop-off
Weekly evidence + coaching checkpoints.
Compliance-conscious
Documentation habits that support audits and reporting.