SDQPI and First 5 San Diego Partner to Provide Free Tuition to Early Education Providers

The San Diego Quality Preschool Initiative (SDQPI) and First 5 San Diego have partnered to offer free tuition to early education providers (teachers, instructional aides, support staff, leadership) employed at SDQPI participating sites to increase the pool of qualified early learning and care providers. 

Through Grossmont College and Cuyamaca College, those who are interested and employed at SDQPI participating sites can complete their A.A. degree in child development and all tuition costs, books, and a computer will be paid for.  

“Even before the pandemic, there were challenges facing the child care field and COVID has just heightened them,” said Lucia Garay, Executive Director of SDQPI and Early Education Programs at the San Diego County Office of Education. “One of the challenges that continues is child care providers leaving the field. This program is about providing an incentive and a pathway for those who really want to begin a career in early education or maybe worked in this field and not thought about it as a career.”

The program will pay for the following: six infant/toddler units (area of specialization), Assistant Permit, Associate Teacher Permit, Teacher Permit, Master Teacher Permit, completion of A.A. degree and all related courses in child development, education, and family studies.

“The first five years of a child's life are crucial in their development and the more opportunities they have to be in high-quality education settings the better they will be prepared for kindergarten and their future,” said Alethea Arguilez, Executive Director of First 5 San Diego. “Our hope for this program is that we are able to strengthen our child care system and provide opportunities that will encourage staff to stay in their positions.”

According to a recent article by The Washington Post, more than 10,000 workers nationally have left the industry since June. SDQPI provides resources and information to educators and works with providers to develop and maintain best practices. First 5 San Diego is the County’s organization that promotes the health and well-being of young children during their most critical years of development, from the prenatal stage through five years of age. Both organizations work to strengthen San Diego’s early learning and care system.

Those interested in this exciting opportunity should fill out this quick informational survey:

Cuyamaca College Students
Grossmont College Students

Employees of SDQPI participating sites can get more information by contacting Nicole Hernandez cuyamacalearnwell@gmail.com or Robin Sepulveda grossmontlearnwell@gmail.com.