Pathways Program
At DEC, we believe that supporting and investing in our early learning workforce is essential to building a resilient early learning system that benefits children, families, and the city as a whole.
That’s why we created Pathways, a comprehensive program designed to help early learning professionals grow, thrive, and achieve their career goals. Whether you’re a new educator just starting out or a seasoned professional ready to take the next step, Pathways offers the tools and support you need to succeed.
What Pathways Offers
The Pathways Program provides robust support to help early educators advance their careers and to support new professionals entering the field. Supports available through Pathways include:
Academic Scholarships
Financial assistance for earning Bachelor’s Degrees, Associate’s Degrees, and completing 12 core unit pathways.
Core Support Services
Tutoring, laptops, textbooks and more to help you succeed in your educational journey.
Stipends
Financial support to recognize and reward your contributions to the field.
Personalized Coaching
One-on-one guidance from experienced professionals to support your growth and development.
Apprenticeships and On-the-Job Training
Hands-on experience to help you build new skills, deepen your knowledge, and stay current in your practice.
Pathways is designed to work alongside DEC’s Workforce Compensation programs to ensure that early educators are fairly compensated and have clear, meaningful pathways for career advancement. Together, these initiatives help early educators access education, professional development, and financial security. At DEC, we’re committed to empowering early educators because we know that when educators succeed, children and communities thrive. Pathways is more than just a program — it’s a partnership for a brighter future.
Ready to take the next step in your career?
How to Participate in Pathways
DEC works with partners across San Francisco to offer programs and supports that are part of Pathways. Each program has its own unique requirements and benefits. Read on to learn more about all of our Pathways programs. Use our Find Your Pathway tool to filter pathways based on your interests and experience!
Find Your Pathway
There are two ways to browse Pathway options:
- Scroll down to browse all available pathways information.
- Filter options based on your age, experience, education and the type of career advancement you are interested in.
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Incentives
- Bachelor's Degree
Bachelor of Art Program
- EDvance College
EDvance’s BA in Early Childhood Studies is a cohort program designed specifically for working early childhood education professionals. Courses are offered remotely, in English and Spanish, and at convenient times for working students with guaranteed course availability and a realistic workload. Using a unique earn-and-learn model, students earn college credit for paid employment and use their workplace to practice skills learned in the classroom.
- Early Childhood Education Core College Courses
BIPOC Early Educator Adult Pre-Apprenticeship
- Children's Council of San Francisco
The BIPOC Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Adults provides culturally affirming resources and support to help Black and Pacific Islander adults new to the early care and education field complete 12-15 core ECE college units free of charge. Upon completion of these courses, participants will be eligible to apply for an Assistant Teacher permit and will be connected to job opportunities at Early Learning For All programs.
- High School / Youth Career Development
BIPOC Early Educator Youth Pre-Apprenticeship
- Children's Council of San Francisco
The BIPOC Early Educator Youth Pre-Apprenticeship provides culturally affirming resources and support to help high school students and transitional age youth between the ages of 16-24 who identify as Black or Pacific Islander and who are interested in pursuing a career in the early care and education field, complete academic coursework and get hands-on experience in early education. Upon completion pre-apprentices will be prepared to begin a career in early education.
- Early Childhood Education Core College Courses
Compass ECE Pathway
- Compass Family Services
Compass’ ECE pathway supports parents on the first step to becoming childcare providers and preschool teachers. Compass clients and those who meet eligibility requirements participate in a sixteen-week course and an internship to prepare them for childcare jobs.
- Leadership Development
ECE Equity Leadership Academy
- Children's Council of San Francisco
The ECE Equity Leadership Academy is an executive-level program aimed at increasing knowledge, skills, and understanding of leadership grounded in racial equity, social justice, and values identification. Over the course of ten months, participants will engage in trainings covering topics related to leadership in racial equity, cultural humility and social justice.
- Early Childhood Education Core College Courses
ECE REACH – Tier 1: Associate Teacher Permit Pre-Apprenticeship
- Felton Institute
Tier 1 provides new to the workforce participants with the education and hands-on experience needed to earn an Associate Teacher Permit. Participants complete 350 hours of on-the-job training and 23 units at Foothill College, including core classes. Courses are available in Spanish.
- Associate’s Degree
ECE REACH – Tier 2: Associate Degree Equivalent & Teacher Permit Apprenticeship
- Felton Institute
Tier 2 supports existing workforce participants in gaining an Associate Degree equivalent and a Teacher Permit, preparing them to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. Participants complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training over two years and take courses at EDvance College. Courses are offered in Spanish or English.
- Bachelor's Degree
ECE REACH – Tier 3: Bachelor’s Degree & Site Supervisor Permit Apprenticeship
- Felton Institute
Tier 3 provides existing workforce participants the education and experience needed to earn a Bachelor’s degree and a Site Supervisor Permit. Participants complete 2,000 hours of on-the-job training over two years and take courses at EDvance College.
- Bachelor's Degree
ECE REWARD (Early Care Educator Recruitment for Equity in the Workforce through Academic, Retention and Development)
- San Francisco State University Department of Child & Adolescent Development
The ECE REWARD (Early Care Educator Recruitment for Equity in the Workforce through Academic, Retention and Development) program at San Francisco State University’s Department of Child & Adolescent Development, provides financial incentives for SFSU undergraduate students working in Early Learning for All Center-based classrooms and Family Child Care homes, including up to $6500 stipend awards per semester. In addition to financial support, ECE Award participants will receive ECE-specific advising, academic and career counseling, free tutoring, and access to learning community events to help ensure successful completion of an early childhood education-related degree.
- Substitute Teaching
ECE STEP
- Substitute Teacher Empowerment & Placement (ECE STEP)
ECE STEP is a non-profit program that recruits, trains, manages, and places Substitute teachers in early childcare environments. Participants will be equipped with foundational ECE training, 1-1 coaching and child health & safety knowledge while working as a substitute teacher based on their preferred availability and locations. Participants gain invaluable hands-on classroom experience while receiving individualized support to navigate education and career pathways, with opportunity for long-term employment with leading early learning programs.
- Leadership Development
Faculty Training Pathways Cohort
- EDvance College
EDvance’s Faculty Training Pathways Cohort will prepare Early Childhood Lead Teachers with Master’s degrees to become adjunct faculty and mentors at EDvance College. Participants will complete a comprehensive faculty training program that includes topics like adult learning theory, culturally responsive teaching, and curriculum design. In addition, they will gain hands-on experience as Teaching Assistants, receive mentorship from experienced faculty, and engage in reflective practice. By the end of the program, participants will be certified to teach in higher education programs focused on early learning.
Note: this pathway cohort is currently full. Can contact to be added to interest list for future cohorts.
- General Education Development (GED)
General Educational Development (GED) and Mentoring Program
- Mission Neighborhood Centers
Mission Neighborhood Centers’ General Educational Development (GED) and Mentoring Program provides on-the-job training and supports participants with ESL classes and obtaining their GED. It offers a first step for Limited English Proficient Spanish- speakers, current parents of children in MNC’s ECE program, and anyone else without a high school diploma who is interested in pursuing a higher education and a career in early care and education.
- Early Childhood Education Core College Courses
IRISE – Pathway I
- Wu Yee Children's Services
IRISE develops a well-educated and skilled workforce through paid apprenticeships, offering participants a chance to learn directly from mentors inside the field while going to college and earning a wage. Pathways I of the program is a DOL-registered pre-Apprenticeship and learning cohort that gives participants the experience and education needed to earn an Associate Teacher’s Permit.
- Associate’s Degree
IRISE – Pathway II
- Wu Yee Children's Services
IRISE develops a well-educated and skilled workforce through paid apprenticeships, offering participants a chance to learn directly from mentors inside the field while going to college and earning a wage. Pathways II of the program is a DOL-registered Apprenticeship and learning cohort that gives participants the experience and education needed to earn an Associate’s degree in Early Childhood and a Teacher Permit.
- Bachelor's Degree
IRISE – Pathway III
- Wu Yee Children's Services
IRISE develops a well-educated and skilled workforce through paid apprenticeships, offering participants a chance to learn directly from mentors inside the field while going to college and earning a wage. Pathways III of the program is a DOL-registered Apprenticeship and learning cohort that gives participants the experience and education needed to earn a Bachelor’s degree and apply for a Site Supervisor permit.