Brains develop rapidly from birth to age five. With this certificate you can help shape these critical foundations.
Madison College Campus
Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler
Program Number: 903072CERT
Your Degree: Certificate
Estimated Time to Complete: 12 Credits | Finish in 1 semester
Delivery Method: 100% Online
Area of Study: Education and Social Sciences
Estimated Program Cost: $2,121.44
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.
  • Program Overview

    The Early Childhood Education: Infant and Toddler certificate is designed to prepare you with the specialized skills needed to work as a teacher with children ages 0 to 3 years in early childhood settings. Completion of the four courses in this certificate, along with preparation of a portfolio, permits students to apply for and attain the Wisconsin Infant Toddler Credential from The Registry. Six credits in this certificate are part of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree program.

    The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association offers credit for prior learning. To learn how your experience could count toward your degree contact epink@madisoncollege.edu. 

    Program Details

    Students in the Infant and Toddler program can attend part time.

    Early Childhood Education courses may be offered at these Madison College campuses:

    • Madison - South
    • Watertown
    • Online
  • Program Courses

    Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester. 

    Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.

    Courses
    10-307-151
    ECE: Infant & Toddler Development
    Study infant and toddler development as applied to early childhood education. Integrate strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives; analyze development of infants and toddlers (conception - 36 months); correlate pre- and post- natal conditions with development; summarize child development theories; analyze role of heredity and environment; examine culturally and developmentally appropriate environments for infants and toddlers, examine role of brain development in early learning (conception - 36 months); examine caregiving routines as curriculum; and examine developmental and environmental assessment strategies for infants and toddlers.
    3 credits
    10-307-169
    ECE: Infant Toddler Group Care
    This course focuses on caring for infants and toddlers in center based and family child care settings. Materials will cover program quality, philosophy, structure, environments, health and safety, developmentally appropriate practice, and inclusion/diversity issues.
    3 credits
    10-307-195
    ECE: Family & Community Relations
    Examine role of relationships with family and community in early childhood education. Implement strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives working with families and community; analyze contemporary family patterns and trends; identify strategies to strengthen and support families; explore effective communication; discover strategies for developing respectful and reciprocal relationships with families; analyze strategies to promote family engagement in early child education programs; explore formats for meeting with families in their contexts; advocate for children and families; and explore community resources of services for children and families.
    3 credits
    10-307-115
    ECE: Infant Toddler Capstone
    The capstone is the last course all students take prior to completing the Infant Toddler Credential. This course integrates the theory, practice, and reflection of courses 1-3 and requires demonstration of best practices. Supervised demonstration in the learner's own infant/toddler setting. Student portfolio development is required. Students must be in an early childhood setting with infants or toddlers during this course.
    3 credits
  • How to Apply

    Earning a certificate is a great way to expand your skill set and add professionalism to your resume. Applications are always open, 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.

    There are no admission requirements for this certificate. Simply submit your application by the deadline for each term.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2026

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2026

    Spring 2027

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2027

    Fall 2027

    • Application available on October 15, 2026
    • Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027

    Additional Notes

    Certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid.

    Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a certificate does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the certificate.

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Early Childhood Education Infant & Toddler career.

    It's Free to Apply

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm