Early childhood education programs in Vermont

3 early childhood programs with results and funding that can make them free

2 schools offer these early childhood education programs, and Vermont has approved every one for workforce funding. Each shows how past students did; Vermont files no usable prices.

Childcare workers look after children's needs and help their early development. What they need varies by state and employer, from no formal education to a certificate in early childhood education; most often states ask for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, which takes coursework, experience and a period of being observed working with children.¹ The CDA takes a high school diploma or GED, 120 hours of early childhood education, 480 hours of work with the age group you choose within three years, a portfolio and the CDA exam.²

In Vermont, all 3 programs ask for a high school diploma or equivalent.

By kind, the 3 programs here are child care course or single class (1 program), child care or preschool certificate (1 program) and early childhood education (associate degree, 1 program).

See the 3 programs

How much do early childhood education programs cost in Vermont?

Not reported

Vermont files no usable prices, so none can be shown.

In the typical program

Finished the program: Not enough data; 1 program reports it; a typical figure needs 5
Working 6 months later: Not reported; None of the 3 programs report it
Earned a year, estimated: Not reported; None of the 3 programs report it
Length: Not reported; None of the 3 programs report it

Source: US Department of Labor, program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Only programs approved for workforce funding are listed; other schools in Vermont may also offer early childhood education programs. How these figures are made

Are there free early childhood education programs in Vermont?

Yes, if you qualify. WIOA (public workforce funding) can pay for any program on this page, in full or in part, depending on local limits.³⁴⁵
Ask an American Job Center whether you qualify, or call 1-877-872-5627.⁶ Before funding training, the center goes through an assessment and a career plan with you.⁵
Or pay yourself. Usable prices are not reported for these programs.

Who qualifies, and other ways to pay: financial aid, grants and the GI Bill

All 3 early childhood programs in Vermont approved for WIOA funding

3 programs

Child care course or single classHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Step Up to Child Care
Northeast Kingdom Learning Services
Newport
High school diploma or equivalent
Northeast Kingdom Learning Services, NewportChild care course or single classHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
Program website, Step Up to Child Care at Northeast Kingdom Learning Services
More details about Step Up to Child Care at Northeast Kingdom Learning Services
Finished
60%
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
10
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
Not reported
Program website, Step Up to Child Care at Northeast Kingdom Learning Services
Child care or preschool certificateHybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Childcare
Community College of Vermont
Montpelier
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Community College of Vermont, MontpelierChild care or preschool certificate · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
Program website, Childcare at Community College of Vermont
More details about Childcare at Community College of Vermont
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
Not reported
Program website, Childcare at Community College of Vermont
Early childhood education (associate degree)HybridHigh school diploma or equivalent
Early Childhood Education (A.A.)
Community College of Vermont
Montpelier
Accredited school
High school diploma or equivalent
Community College of Vermont, MontpelierEarly childhood education (associate degree) · Accredited schoolHybrid · High school diploma or equivalent
Earned a year, estimatedNot reported
Price if you pay yourselfNot reported
Program website, Early Childhood Education (A.A.) at Community College of Vermont
More details about Early Childhood Education (A.A.) at Community College of Vermont
Finished
Not reported
Working at 6 months
Not reported
Earned in a quarter
Not reported
Length
Not reported
Cost of supplies
Not reported
Students counted
Not reported
Earned a year, estimated
Not reported
Price if you pay yourself
Not reported
Program website, Early Childhood Education (A.A.) at Community College of Vermont

How to pay for early childhood education programs in Vermont

WIOA funding can pay for early childhood education programs in Vermont

Every program on this page is approved for it. Whether you qualify, how much your local area pays and how to apply are on our page Does WIOA pay for job training?

Financial aid and grants for early childhood education programs

Most students can get federal student aid for college, career school or trade school. A Federal Pell Grant, unlike a loan, usually doesn't have to be repaid. Ask the school whether its program qualifies.⁷⁸

GI Bill for early childhood education programs

Veterans, service members and qualified dependents can use GI Bill benefits for non-college training programs.⁹

The program list does not show which programs accept these. Ask the school.

Other training in Vermont

How early childhood education programs compare with the rest of education and social services: Child care and social services training in Vermont

Where the Vermont early childhood education program numbers come from

Which Vermont early childhood education programs are on this list?

These are the early childhood education programs Vermont approved for WIOA funding (public workforce funding under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act), as reported to the US Department of Labor for program year 2024 (July 2024 to June 2025). Each state keeps its approved programs on an eligible training provider list (ETPL).¹⁰ The list here covers programs approved as of June 30, 2025. Schools that never applied for approval are missing, so this is a part of what Vermont offers.

How the prices and results of Vermont early childhood education programs are measured

Prices are tuition and required fees for someone paying without workforce funding, as the school reported them; check the current price with the school. Results describe students who left each program in recent years, so they are no guarantee, and the yearly earnings are the reported quarter times four, an estimate. A program without a "Trained with WIOA funding" line may still take WIOA students. Where a field was left empty or withheld, the page says "Not reported", and "Left out" where a figure was filed but failed one of our checks; nothing is estimated to fill a gap. Where the numbers come from explains each figure in full.

Sources for the facts about early childhood education programs in Vermont

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