Expanding Access to Higher Education for Family Child Care Providers

First 5 Santa Clara Partnership

EDvance College, in partnership with FIRST 5 Santa Clara County, is excited to launch a fully funded degree pathway for early childhood educators in the county!

This initiative expands our recruitment efforts to reach more early childhood educators, with a special focus on family child care providers in Santa Clara County. This opportunity is being delivered through a dedicated Santa Clara cohort in our Upper Division pathway, creating a seamless two-year pathway to a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in Early Childhood Studies.

By offering this accessible pathway, our program directly addresses and overcomes the traditional barriers to higher education faced by full-time FCC business owners who often have limited alternative pathways. We're proud to report that 10 dedicated educators started their journey this fall, and our commitment is growing, with plans to recruit another 18 Santa Clara students in 2026.

To hear more about how this partnership is truly changing lives and careers, listen to the voices on the front lines. Here’s what one of our FCC providers in Santa Clara shared:

“Edvance College's Bachelor's Degree program in Early Childhood Education is more than a path to a diploma—it's a gateway to fulfilling my lifelong dream of making a meaningful impact in the lives of young children. The flexibility of online learning empowers me to balance my professional responsibilities while continuing my education. With the financial support provided by First 5, I can pursue my degree without the burden of financial strain, allowing me to focus entirely on expanding my expertise, deepening my impact, and growing as an educator. This opportunity affirms the value of my work and elevates the role of early childhood professionals. Through advanced training, I'm gaining the tools to implement evidence-based practices, strengthen my understanding of child development, and create enriched learning environments that support every child's growth—cognitively, emotionally, and socially—during their most formative years. The knowledge I'm acquiring doesn't just benefit me; it enhances the care I provide and strengthens the connections I build with children and their families. Edvance College is helping me transform my passion into purpose—and purpose into progress.”

— Bhavani Mummidivarapu