The Work to Learn program initiated by the Child Care branch at the Greater Wichita YMCA is the total package for individuals who want to turn a job in the child care field into a long-term career.

In just 12 months, it’s possible to complete all necessary educational requirements and paid on-the-job training – all facilitated by the Y along with educational partner Cowley College – to qualify for advanced positions within the Y’s Early Learning and Child Development Centers.

Whether you’re an 18-year-old high school graduate, young professional in your 20s or someone looking for better work-life balance, joining the Work to Learn program can bring a new sense of meaning into your daily routine.

All you need is the desire to join a profession that is often referred to as the “workforce behind the workforce.” Reliable and trusted child care services enable parents to work without worry and our local economy to thrive. The Y makes sure its child care staff knows how valuable they are to the entire community.

The Y built this initiative from the ground up to support the next generation of early education teachers and grow more leaders in the field. Child care demand is currently outpacing availability. Highlighting early education positions as career paths rather than stepping stones is a key component to teacher recruitment and retention.

Experience as the largest child care provider in South Central Kansas put the Y’s Child Care team in a unique position to know exactly what entry level staff want most to feel prepared and supported in the classroom on Day 1 through retirement. Such insight led to the inclusion of these Work to Learn benefits:

• Access to online courses through Cowley College or the ChildCare Education Institute to earn a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential;
• Paid placement as a teacher’s aide in a YMCA early education classroom (up to 35 hours a week at one of 10 locations);
• One-on-one support through a dedicated professional development coach;
• Free tuition for qualifying applicants;
• $250 stipend in first 30 days; 
• Opportunity for advancement within 12 months with competition of the program. 

If greater job satisfaction, increased earning potential and contributing to our community’s well-being gets you excited for the future, it’s time to explore the Work to Learn program. Contact Shawna Edwards, Child Care Professional Development Director, at 316.776-8254 or shawna.edwards@ymcawichita.org. 

This is made possible in partnership with the Kansas Career Pathway project funded by the Kansas Department for Children and Families.