The CEO Apprentice 

Childcare Educator Operator Apprenticeship Program

 

U-LAUNCH a CEO Apprentice.

The Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) Apprenticeship is a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship that lets you earn while you learn and launch a legally compliant, Approved Childhood Development Home.

​

This is a workforce-driven pathway for people who want a real career and a real business—built through paid training, structured instruction, and system-level support from U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes.

​

The CEO Apprenticeship is designed to prepare participants to launch and operate an Approved Childhood Development Home within the U-LAUNCH system. Successful completion of the apprenticeship, required training, and approval process leads to eligibility for approval as a U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home—a home-based program authorized to operate under U-LAUNCH’s licensed Family Day System and oversight structure. 

​

Learn more about Childhood Development Homes → 

​

What Is the CEO Apprenticeship?

Your Path to Becoming an Approved Childhood Development Home

 

The CEO Apprenticeship is the workforce and training pathway into U-LAUNCH’s Childhood Development Homes system.

​

Through the apprenticeship, you will:

• Complete required paid On-the-Job Training (OJT) and Related Technical Instruction (RTI)

• Meet competency, compliance, and operational standards

• Prepare your home and business for system approval

• Apply for and obtain approval as a Childhood Development Home under U-LAUNCH’s licensed Family Day System

• A National Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship upon successful completion

Approval is not automatic—it is earned by meeting program standards. The apprenticeship is designed to prepare you to succeed in that approval process.

​

This is not a single course—it’s a career pathway and business launch plan.

​

Who It’s For

The CEO Apprenticeship is designed for:

• Aspiring home-based childcare operators

• Career changers seeking a stable, purpose-driven profession

• Workforce participants who want an earn-while-you-learn pathway

• Entrepreneurs who want a compliant, supported way to start a home-based program

​​

What You Get

As a CEO Apprentice, you receive:

• 3,712 hours of Paid On-the-Job Training (OJT)

• 288 hours of Related Technical Instruction (RTI) with stackable, competency-based learning

• A National Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship

• Guided support toward approval and launch as an Approved Childhood Development Home within U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes

• Entry into the Approved HOMES system for ongoing oversight and support

For eligible participants, there is no out-of-pocket tuition for training.

​

The Approval Pathway

Training Structure: RTI CEO I & RTI CEO II

​

Your classroom and technical training is embedded into the apprenticeship in two stages:

RTI CEO I – Core Foundations (Required)

RTI CEO I covers the core training requirements aligned to Virginia standards, including:

• Health, safety, and nutritional practices

• Child growth and development

• Observation and assessment

• Learning environments and effective interactions

• Family and community engagement

• Program management

• Best business practices and record keeping

• Compliance, professionalism, and operations

This stage builds the educational, operational, and compliance foundation required to operate a high-quality home-based program.

​

RTI CEO II – Choose Your Pathway

After completing RTI CEO I, apprentices may choose one of two options:

• College Coursework Pathway:
  Complete approved 3-credit college courses recognized through Project Pathfinders and aligned with the Virginia Child Care Provider Scholarship Program (VCCPSP). These courses may be used to substitute for RTI CEO II requirements.

  Pre-approved course options include:

  • CHD 120 – Introduction to Early Childhood Education

  • CHD 145 – Teaching Art, Music, and Movement to Children

  • CHD 165 – Observation and Participation in Early Childhood / Primary Settings

  • CHD 205 – Guiding the Behavior of Children

  • EDU 235 or HLT 135 – Child Health and Nutrition

  • CHD 118 – Language Arts for Young Children

  • CHD 216 – Early Childhood Programs, School, and Social Change

  • CHD 146 – Math, Science, and Social Studies for Children

  • PSY 235 – Child Psychology

  Only four (4) courses are required.

• Apprenticeship Continuation Pathway:
  Continue advanced training and specialization within the U-LAUNCH apprenticeship system while building experience and credentials on the job.

 

Both pathways allow apprentices to deepen their credentials, strengthen practice, and advance their careers while remaining fully aligned with the Registered Apprenticeship.