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Program Overview
The Child Care Services technical diploma from Madison College prepares you to work as a teacher-caregiver in early childhood settings. It combines hands-on fieldwork in area centers with related academic work at the college. Graduates are prepared to assist in the care and education of children in the birth-to-6-years age range. You will create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning activities, and work cooperatively with staff and parents.
Following completion of the Child Care Services technical diploma, you may transfer directly into the Associate Degree of Early Childhood Education as the courses in this technical diploma are part of the Applied Associate ECE degree.
Upon admission to the program, you will complete a background and criminal history check form and submit it to the program director. Look for this form in your student email. Information obtained from the background may affect your ability to secure a practicum placement.
Prior to taking ECE: Introductory Practicum, you must show evidence of a physical examination including TB test using the State of Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Staff Health Report - Child Care Provider Form (external pdf) .
Travel to fieldwork sites is necessary and is your responsibility.
Some courses in the program involve preparation of learning materials, field trips, etc. that may involve additional expenses.To learn how your experience could count toward your degree contact epink@madisoncollege.edu.
Program Details
Students in the Child Care Services Program may attend full or part time.
Child Care Services courses may be offered at these Madison College campuses:
- Madison - South
- Online
Careers
Earning your diploma in the Child Care Services program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:
- Child Care Teachers
Work in full-day and part-day child care programs, nursery schools and Head Start programs. - Child Care Assistant Teachers
Work under the supervision of a child care teacher. - Family Child Care Providers
Care for eight children or less in provider's home. - Infant or Toddler Caregivers
Care for children under two years of age. - In-home Providers/Nannies
Provide care in the child's home. - Early Childhood Educational Assistants
Work in district approved early childhood programs, and four-years-old kindergarten programs. - Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
Work in district approved early childhood programs, and four-years-old kindergarten programs.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.
Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:
- Progress toward your specific requirements
- Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements
If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.
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Admission
To Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.
Application Dates
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
Admission Requirements
All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.
1. Admission Application
The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.
2. Education Completion
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience showing:
- Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
- At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
- The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
- Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.
Additional Notes- Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
- Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.
After Acceptance
Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.
Questions?
Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Child Care Services career.
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Career Outcomes
Madison College Child Care Services graduates are prepared to:
- Apply child development theory to practice.
- Cultivate relationships with children, family and the community.
- Assess child growth and development.
- Use best practices in teaching and learning.
- Demonstrate professionalism.
- Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices.
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Graduate Summary
Graduate Report Summary Overview
2022 2023 2024 Number of Program Graduates 28 26 31 Number of Surveys Sent 28 26 31 Number of Surveys Returned 21 21 23 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 10 9 8 Percent Available for Employment 47.6% 42.9% 34.8% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 52.4% 52.4% 65.2% Available for Employment
2022 2023 2024 Graduates Employed 10 9 7 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 87.5% Employed in Related Occupation 9 8 7 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 90.0% 88.9% 100.0% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 1 0 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 10.0% 11.1% 0.0% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 1 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 12.5% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.8 4 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 13 9 9 Very Satisfied (4) 10 9 6 Percent Very Satisfied 76.9% 100.0% 66.7% Satisfied (3) 3 0 3 Percent Satisfied 23.1% 0.0% 33.3% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2022 2023 2024 Number of Primary Reason Responses 21 21 23 Preparation for Getting a Job Percent Preparation for Getting a Job Career Change Percent Career Change Improvement of Existing Skills Percent Improvement of Existing Skills Preparation for Further Education Percent Preparation for Further Education Personal Interest Percent Personal Interest Other Percent Other 0.0% 0.0% 4.3% When Employment was Obtained
2022 2023 2024 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 10 9 7 Before Enrollment 6 2 2 Percent Before Enrollment 60.0% 22.2% 28.6% While Attending the College 3 5 5 Percent While Attending the College 30.0% 55.6% 71.4% After Training at the College 1 2 0 Percent After Training at the College 10.0% 22.2% 0.0% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2022 2023 2024 Number of Employment Location Responses 10 10 7 In College District 7 9 7 Percent In College District 70.0% 90.0% 100.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 3 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 30.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 1 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 10.0% 0.0% Salary Trend 2022 2023 2024 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 6 6 6 Average Monthly Wage $2,852 $3,244 $3,230 Average Hourly Wage $16.58 $18.86 $18.78 Average Work Hours per Week 39.2 39.3 40.0 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 2 1 Average Hourly Wage $14.50 $15.25 $7.70 Average Work Hours per Week 10.7 27.5 9.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2024 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Eagle's Wing Child Care Center Teacher Hickory Hill Academy Lead Teacher 2 Hickory Hill Academy Teacher New Glarus Tenney Nursery & Parent Center Teacher The Playing Field Teacher Tiny's Academy Director/Owner Portage * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.
** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.
*** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu
