Students earn high school credit while exploring careers in field facing labor shortages
Concord, N.H. (July 10, 2025 ) – ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce training program of the Community College System of NH (CCSNH), and A Place to Grow LLC, a nature-based early learning center, have collaborated to create an Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship Program for high school students who are at least 14 years old, as well as recent high school graduates and career changers. The program’s goal is to encourage young people to pursue careers in early childhood education, a field facing significant staffing shortages in New Hampshire.
Pre-apprenticeship participants dedicate eight to 10 hours at A Place to Grow’s Brentwood, Durham, or Salem locations to shadow early childhood educators and receive hands-on experience in the field. They assist teachers at A Place to Grow to learn about creating daily routines, implementing curriculum and promoting play-based learning.
“The program is designed to provide high school students, graduates, and career changers with an opportunity to explore a career in early childhood education with a low time commitment but high- impact experience,” explained Liz Arcieri, developer of high school programs for ApprenticeshipNH.
The Early Childhood Education Pre-Apprenticeship can lead to an extended learning opportunity and high school credits through programs at Exeter High School, Seacoast School of Technology and Salem High School. Arcieri said that outreach is underway to extend the program to additional high schools in communities served by A Place to Grow.
Jennifer Legere, owner/director of A Place to Grow, has taken a leadership role in other workforce development initiatives to increase childcare capacity in New Hampshire. A Place to Grow collaborated with ApprenticeshipNH, New Hampshire’s Office of Apprenticeship, and other stakeholders in 2024 to create the nation’s first Registered Early Childhood Director Apprenticeship Program approved by the U.S. Department of Labor. The Registered Apprenticeship is designed to build additional childcare capacity in New Hampshire by training more childcare professionals to start and operate businesses.
Legere encourages anyone considering entering the field to explore the Pre-Apprenticeship Program. “Pre-Apprenticeship Programs are a powerful way to experience the joy and purpose of this work with no pressure and no long-term commitment. Just one day can change everything. If you fall in love with the field, we’ll be right here to walk beside you through your entire learning journey and professional growth,” she commented.
The Pre-Apprenticeship Program at A Place to Grow is designed to build knowledge and skills to transition to an Early Childhood Education Registered Apprenticeship Program, which combines paid, on-the-job learning with education through CCSNH.
Pre-apprenticeships at A Place to Grow’s Brentwood, Durham, and Salem locations are available now. For more information, please contact Liz Arcieri at ApprenticeshipNH, larcieri@ccsnh.edu or 603-230-3541.
