Why EECI Created the First-Ever "Life Happens" Guarantee for ECE Training

Because Your Dreams Shouldn't Stop When Life Gets Complicated

When I started Early Education Career Institute 20 years ago, I had a simple mission: make quality early childhood education training accessible to everyone who wanted to work with children. But over the years, I've watched too many dedicated students have to abandon their dreams because life threw them a curveball.

Sarah was halfway through her CDA prep when her mother had a stroke. Marcus had to drop out of our apprenticeship program when his company changed his work schedule. Maria paused her training when her childcare fell through, and by the time she could restart, she'd lost all her progress.

These stories broke my heart. Here were people who genuinely wanted to build careers in early childhood education – an industry that desperately needs them – but traditional training programs weren't designed for real life.

The Problem with Traditional Training Programs

Most education programs operate on rigid timelines. Miss too many classes? You're out. Need to pause for a family emergency? Start over from scratch. Have a medical issue? Forfeit your tuition and reapply later.

This approach might work for traditional college students, but it fails the people we serve most: working adults, parents, English as Other Language learners, and those overcoming barriers to employment.

At EECI, 80% of our apprentices are EOL learners juggling multiple responsibilities. They're working parents, caregivers for elderly family members, and adults who've faced setbacks before. They don't need another system that punishes them for being human.

Introducing the "Life Happens" Guarantee

That's why EECI is proud to be the first ECE training program to offer our "Life Happens" Guarantee:

- Pause your program for up to 6 months

- Return exactly where you left off

- Zero penalties, zero additional fees

- All progress and materials saved

Whether you're facing medical emergencies, job changes, childcare crises, family situations, or military deployment – your education is protected.

How It Works

The process is simple because stress shouldn't be complicated:

1. Call us at (833) 467-9997

2. We immediately pause your enrollment

3. All your coursework, grades, and progress are saved

4. When you're ready, rejoin your cohort or the next available class

5. Pick up exactly where you left off

No paperwork. No justification required. No questions asked.

Why This Matters for the ECE Industry

The early childhood education field faces a critical workforce shortage. We need qualified, passionate educators now more than ever. But if we keep using training systems that exclude people because of life's unpredictability, we'll never solve this crisis.

Our guarantee isn't just good for students – it's good for the children and families who need quality care. When we remove barriers to ECE training, we create pathways for amazing educators who might otherwise never enter the field.

Real Stories, Real Impact

Since implementing this guarantee, we've seen incredible results:

- 88% program completion rate

- 100% job placement after graduation

- Students who previously would have dropped out now graduate and thrive

Jennifer used the guarantee when her husband was deployed overseas. She paused her apprenticeship for four months, then returned to complete her CDA and now manages a childcare center earning $45,000 annually.

David activated his guarantee during a family medical crisis. Six months later, he graduated with his cohort and opened his own family childcare business.

Beyond the Guarantee: Our Commitment

The "Life Happens" Guarantee reflects our broader commitment to understanding our students' lives. We also offer:

- Bilingual support in Spanish, Ukrainian, and Haitian Creole

- Flexible scheduling with online, virtual live, and face-to-face options

- Financial aid coordination for WIOA, SNAP, and workforce grants

- Small class sizes (average 10 students) for personalized attention

Your Dreams Matter

If you've been considering ECE training but worried about life getting in the way, now's the time to start. Your dreams of working with children, earning better wages, and building a meaningful career don't have to wait for the "perfect" moment.

Because here's the truth: there is no perfect moment. Life will always have complications. But with EECI's "Life Happens" Guarantee, those complications don't have to derail your future.

Ready to start your ECE journey with complete peace of mind? Visit www.eceapprentice.com or call (833) 467-9997.

Your education is protected. Your dreams are safe with us.

Shawntel Green is the founder of Early Education Career Institute, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that has trained early childhood educators for 20 years. EECI's US Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship program serves students across multiple states with a focus on accessibility and inclusion.