The California Early Childhood Mentor Program (CECMP) proudly partners with more than 100 community colleges across the state to strengthen, elevate, and sustain California’s early childhood education workforce. Together, these colleges form a coordinated network of support that connects students, mentors, and early learning programs with high-quality professional guidance.
To ensure meaningful and accessible support, CECMP is organized into seven regions, each led by dedicated Coordinator faculty who serve as local liaisons and advocates for quality early childhood education. Coordinators play a central role in implementing the Mentor Program’s vision at both the college and regional level, supporting students, collaborating with community partners, and ensuring that mentoring opportunities reflect the diverse needs of their communities.
Through this statewide network, CECMP offers two core mentoring pathways:
- Mentor Teachers, who provide hands-on practicum experiences for college students in licensed child care centers and family child care homes, especially critical for colleges without on-campus lab schools.
- Director Mentors, who support current and emerging leaders such as Program Directors, Site Supervisors, and FCC Owner-Operators through mentoring, guidance, and professional growth opportunities.
To maintain high standards of practice, each college or region convenes a Selection Committee composed of experienced early childhood professionals. These committees review and select applicants for Mentor Teacher and Director Mentor roles, ensuring representation that reflects the cultural, linguistic, and program-type diversity of the local community.
Together, our colleges, Coordinators, Mentors, and Selection Committees form the backbone of the Mentor Program, creating a statewide, relationship-based system of support that strengthens early childhood education from the ground up.
Explore the regions to find your college, meet your Coordinator, and connect with local mentoring opportunities.