Merced County Adult Regional Occupational Program: Foundations in Early Education

The Program of Practice

Merced County faces persistent economic challenges that create barriers for families and learners. As of February 2025, the county’s unemployment rate stood at 11.4%, higher than both state and national averages. The median household income was $65,044 in 2023, while the poverty rate remained high at 18.8%. Approximately 75.5% of public-school students in the county qualify for free or reduced-price meals, and in 2024, Merced County reported 837 unhoused individuals, highlighting the severity of the housing crisis.

These economic realities contribute to cycles of poverty, low educational attainment, and limited access to upward mobility. Many adult learners, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, face additional barriers such as childcare responsibilities, transportation challenges, and limited access to higher education pathways. Without intervention, these factors restrict opportunities for self-sufficiency and long-term economic stability.

The Response

The Foundations in Early Education program directly addresses these systemic challenges by providing an accessible, equitable, and workforce-aligned pathway into early childhood education careers. FIEE eliminates financial barriers by offering tuition-free training, learning materials, and access to supervised practicum placements. It integrates culturally responsive instruction, practical skill development, and data-informed assessments to ensure students are prepared to meet the demands of the field. Through its portfolio-based assessment model, FIEE empowers students to demonstrate mastery of essential competencies, including observation techniques, curriculum design, family engagement, and reflective practice. Partnerships with community child care centers provide hands-on experience in real-world early learning environments, creating a direct pipeline to employment. The program’s structure aligns seamlessly with the Child Development Permit Matrix, enabling students to earn college credit and obtain industry-recognized credentials that improve their employability and earning potential.

The Unique Features of the Program

The Foundations in Early Education (FIEE) program stands out as a model of innovation, equity, and workforce alignment in the field of adult education. Its unique design combines competency-based classroom instruction with hands-on practicum experiences in licensed early education settings. Students complete an 832-hour program, which includes a minimum of 300 hours of supervised practicum through a community classroom model. FIEE’s curriculum is aligned with California’s Early Childhood Education Learning Foundations and integrates essential assessment tools such as the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), the Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS), and the Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS). This ensures students graduate with the ability to apply best practices in the field, including observation-based assessments, data analysis, lesson planning, and documentation of developmental milestones. These rigorous learning experiences ensure that graduates are workforce-ready and prepared to support high-quality early learning environments.

The program also offers a clear academic pathway through a partnership with Merced College and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL). Students can earn between 9 and 12 units of college credit in Child Development by completing courses such as CLDV 01: Child Growth and Development, CLDV 30: Infant/Toddler Development, and CLDV 30L: Infant/Toddler Practicum. This integrated academic model supports students in progressing along the Child Development Permit Matrix, enabling them to earn the Assistant Teacher Permit (6 units) and the Associate Teacher Permit (12 units), state credentials that enhance employability and increase earning potential. FIEE is intentionally designed to serve non-traditional, underrepresented populations, including working parents, individuals from low-income backgrounds, English learners, adults with disabilities, and those with interrupted educational pathways. By blending academic coursework, practicum placements, career readiness training, and college credit, the program empowers students to overcome systemic barriers and successfully transition into the early childhood education workforce. A defining strength of the FIEE program is its strong partnerships with local childcare centers and family resource agencies, which serve as community site partners and informal subcontractors. These partnerships create a robust ecosystem of support, providing students with mentorship, data-informed practice, and observation opportunities aligned with quality care standards. By building local talent pipelines in collaboration with these community partners, the FIEE program directly supports Merced County’s youngest and most vulnerable children. It contributes to the broader goal of improving outcomes for young children and their families, ensuring that the workforce is not only trained and credentialed but also deeply connected to the needs of the community.

The Outcome

This holistic, equity-focused, and community-driven model makes the Foundations in Early Education (FIEE) program a replicable and scalable example of best practices in adult education and workforce development. The program’s outcomes clearly demonstrate its effectiveness in addressing workforce gaps in the early education sector, particularly for underrepresented and non-traditional adult learners.

Outcomes for Students: FIEE consistently achieves high levels of student success and program completion. All students in the program complete Mandated Reporter Training, Health and Safety Certifications, and other certificates of completion, demonstrating alignment with California’s Early Childhood Education standards. Each student completes 250 to 300 hours of supervised practicum in a licensed childcare setting, applying classroom learning in real-world environments. Students develop comprehensive portfolios that showcase their competencies in child observation, lesson planning, developmental assessments, and culturally responsive care practices. Through the partnership with Merced College and Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), students earn between 9 and 12 college credits, providing a seamless pathway toward the Assistant Teacher Permit (6 units) and the Associate Teacher Permit (12 units). These stackable credentials increase employment opportunities and earning potential, supporting upward economic mobility for graduates.

Quantitative Outcomes include: 100% of student completers earn college credit through Merced College, advancing along the Child Development Permit Matrix. Students earn an average of 9 to12 units in Child Development, which directly supports employment eligibility in licensed and K12 early educations programs. In 2024-2025 the program year FIEE had a 91% Graduation Rate and 90% Employment Rate.
Qualitative Outcomes are equally powerful. Students report increased confidence, cultural competence, and understanding of best practices in child development. Many graduates, including working parents, English learners, and adults with interrupted educational pathways, have shared testimonials about how FIEE has provided them with the tools, knowledge, and support to secure employment, advocate for children and families, and continue their academic journeys. Employers report that FIEE graduates demonstrate exceptional professional readiness, reflective practice, and a strong understanding of family-centered care.

Community Impact: The program also strengthens the local workforce by building talent pipelines in collaboration with community partners, addressing the persistent shortage of qualified early educators in Merced County. FIEE graduates are placed in high-demand roles within local childcare centers, preschools, and K12 districts, directly supporting the learning and development of Merced County’s youngest and most vulnerable children. By equipping students with practical skills, academic credit, and industry-aligned certifications, FIEE not only prepares individuals for meaningful employment but also contributes to systemic change in the community. It creates a ripple effect, enhancing early education quality, supporting family stability, and breaking cycles of poverty in a region where 75.5% of public-school students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, the poverty rate stands at 18.8%, and the unemployment rate is 11.4% as of February 2025.

The FIEE program’s outcomes are measurable, data-driven, and community-centered. Its success demonstrates that when adult education programs are designed with equity, access, and workforce alignment at the core, they can change lives, uplift communities, and strengthen local economies.