Do your part to make sure the kids are alright. Jump start your Early Childhood career with a paid apprenticeship. All you need is a sponsor.
Madison College Campus
Early Childhood Educator Apprenticeship
Program Number: 503071
Your Degree: Apprenticeship
Estimated Time to Complete: 27 Credits | Finish paid training and class time in 2.5 years
Delivery Method: Some Online/Some In Person
Area of Study: Education and Social Sciences
Estimated Program Cost: $4,791.49
View Tuition and Fees

  • Program Overview

    You can’t contain your nurturing nature when kids are around. And, you’re ready to put this part of your personality to work.

    This means developing not only the endless energy for songs, games and stories, but the skills to keep children safe and healthy. Part guardian and part friend, an early childhood professional holds a special place in a child’s life and in the community.

    The Early Childhood Apprenticeship program at Madison College is designed to give you on-the-job training while you work in a licensed establishment and attend school. You will be earning income during all phases of the training period, including the hours you attend classes. 

    To get started, find an early childhood employer willing to apprentice you. You and the director of the child care program will work with the Department of Workforce Development to create an apprenticeship contract. Once Madison College receives this contract, you will be contacted by Madison College’s Early Childhood Education department with further information.

    You may find employment working with children from birth to age five with a community, for-profit, non-profit or employer-sponsored childcare center.

    An apprenticeship requires 4,000 hours of paid training. 432 hours of that training are spent in either online or in-person classroom setting.

    You will train a minimum of 32 hours per week under a qualified professional. You will attend class an average of four and a half hours per week over four semesters. 100% attendance is mandatory for the successful completion of the apprenticeship program. 

    Through worksite and classroom hours you will gain experience in:

    • Planning and performing learning experiences
    • Ensuring health and safety of children, other workers and yourself
    • Building relationships with children and families
    • Understanding child development
    • Working with children with disabilities
    • Supervising playground activities

    Early childhood educators have both simple and complex daily tasks. Learn about the essential functions early childhood educators perform. 

    Do More With Your Credits

    Early Childhood Apprenticeship program credits count toward Madison College’s Early Childhood Education associate degree.

    Program Details

    Early Childhood Apprenticeship classes are offered online and in person, and you can choose the format that works best for you. 

    Classes are held at the Madison Goodman South campus.

  • 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.

    First Semester
    10-307-148
    ECE: Foundations of Early Childhood Education
    This 3-credit course introduces you to the early childhood profession. Course competencies include: explore the concepts of diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias as it relates to early childhood education, investigate the history of early childhood education, examine regulatory requirements for early childhood education programs in WI, summarize types of early childhood education settings, identify the components of a quality early childhood education program, summarize responsibilities of early childhood education professionals, explore early childhood curriculum models and examine the critical role of play as it relates to developmentally appropriate practice.
    3 credits
    10-307-167
    ECE: Health, Safety, & Nutrition
    This course examines the topics of health, safety and nutrition within the context of the early childhood educational setting. Course competencies include: follow governmental regulations and professional standards as they apply to health, safety and nutrition; provide a safe, healthy, and nutritionally sound early childhood program; adhere to child abuse and neglect mandates; apply Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction strategies; incorporate health, safety and nutrition concepts into the children's curriculum.
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-307-108
    ECE: Early Language and Literacy
    This course explores strategies to encourage the development of early language and literacy knowledge and skill building in children birth to 8 years of age. Learners will investigate the components of literacy including; literacy and a source of enjoyment, vocabulary and oral language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension and an understanding of books and other texts. Theories and philosophies regarding children's language and literacy development will be addressed. Dual language learning will be examined within the context of developmentally appropriate practices. Assessment tools for early language and literacy acquisition will be reviewed.
    3 credits
    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
    Third Semester
    10-307-174
    ECE: Introductory Practicum
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-307-110
    ECE: Social Studies, Art, and Music
    This 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of social studies, art, music, & movement (SSAMM).
    3 credits
    10-307-179
    ECE: Child Development
    Examines child development within the context of the early childhood education setting. Integrate strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives; analyze social, cultural, and economic influences on child development; summarize child development theories; analyze development of children ages 3 - 5; analyze development of children ages 5 - 8; relate child development research findings to teaching practice; analyze the role of heredity and environment; examine the role of brain development in early learning (ages 3-8); examine developmental and environmental assessment strategies for children ages 3-8.
    3 credits
    Fifth Semester
    10-307-188
    ECE: Guiding Children's Behavior
    Examines positive strategies to guide behavior in early child education. Identify and analyze: • techniques for strong relationship-building • positive and proactive guidance principles and techniques • environmental influences on behavior • techniques to assess and interpret behavior Identify and integrate strategies that: • support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives • support active engagement • teach emotional literacy and regulation techniques • teach friendship skills • teach calming, relaxation, and problem-solving techniques Create: • behavior support plan • guidance philosophy Meets requirements of the "24-hour Wisconsin" Pyramid Model training.
    3 credits
    10-307-175
    ECE: Preschool Practicum
    3 credits

  • How to Apply

    1. Secure an Apprenticeship Position

    To get started, you'll need to secure an apprenticeship position with a sponsoring employer. Think of it like applying for a job. You'll apply directly with employers who are hiring apprentices.

    2. Apply to Madison College

    After you secure an apprenticeship position, apply to the apprenticeship program at Madison College. 

    Application Dates

    Spring 2027

    • Interested in starting this spring? Get in touch. Find our contact information below.

    Fall 2027

    3. Complete the Apprenticeship Contract

    Your sponsoring employer will work with the Department of Workforce Development (DWD) to complete the apprenticeship registration process.

    4. Get Ready to Start Classes

    Once Madison College receives your apprenticeship contract, you'll be admitted into the program and contacted with next steps. 

  • Career Outcomes

    Graduates of this apprenticeship program are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of early childcare, including:

    • Childcare Assistant Teacher
    • Preschool Teacher
    • Family Childcare Provider
    • Infant or Toddler Caregiver
    • In-home Provider/Nanny
    • Early Childhood Educational Assistant
    • Early Childhood Special Needs Assistant