Do you believe the children are our future? Of course you do! Here's a chance to play a key role in theirs.
Child Care Students and Teacher
42
Recent Graduates
There are 42 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
Flexible Learning Options
Online & In-Person
Live out of state? Attend online classes with no out-of-state tuition.
Basic Early Childhood Educator
Program Number: 303078
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Education and Social Sciences
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
9 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 semester
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$1,773.41
  • Program Overview

    The Basic Early Childhood Educator embedded technical diploma from Madison College meets the basic requirements to work as a teacher in early childhood settings. All nine credits are also part of the Preschool embedded technical diploma. (Formerly Early Childhood Education Entry Level Provider certificate.)

    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 Basic Early Childhood Educator program can attend full or part time.

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

    • Madison - South
    • Online

    Careers

    Earning your less than one year technical diploma in the Basic Early Childhood Educator program at Madison Area Technical College prepares you for valuable work as:

    • Child Care Teacher
      Work in full-day and part-day child care programs, or nursery schools
    • Child Care Assistant Teacher
      Work under the supervision of a child care lead teacher in child care programs or Head Start programs
    • Family Child Care Provider
      Care for eight children or less in provider's home.
    • In-home Provider/Nanny
      Provide care in the child's home.
  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 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.

    Required Courses
    10-307-167
    3 credits
    10-307-179
    3 credits
  • 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 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Fall 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025

    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

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) 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

    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.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Basic Early Childhood Educator career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202120222023
      Number of Program Graduates503442
      Number of Surveys Sent503442
      Number of Surveys Returned442634
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment13811
      Percent Available for Employment29.5%30.8%32.4%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market70.5%69.2%67.6%
      Available for Employment

      202120222023
      Graduates Employed12710
      Percent of Graduates Employed92.3%87.5%90.9%
      Employed in Related Occupation1168
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation91.7%85.7%80.0%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation112
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation8.3%14.3%20.0%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Seeking Employment111
      Percent Seeking Employment7.7%12.5%9.1%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202120222023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.53.63.7
      Number of Satisfaction Responses20915
      Very Satisfied (4)10511
      Percent Very Satisfied50.0%55.6%73.3%
      Satisfied (3)1044
      Percent Satisfied50.0%44.4%26.7%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Very Unsatisfied (1)
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202120222023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses442634
      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 Other0.0%0.0%0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202120222023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses12710
      Before Enrollment1035
      Percent Before Enrollment83.3%42.9%50.0%
      While Attending the College143
      Percent While Attending the College8.3%57.1%30.0%
      After Training at the College102
      Percent After Training at the College8.3%0.0%20.0%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202120222023
      Number of Employment Location Responses12710
      In College District1269
      Percent In College District100.0%85.7%90.0%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District011
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.0%14.3%10.0%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.0%0.0%0.0%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202120222023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count856
      Average Monthly Wage$2,733$2,604$2,929
      Average Hourly Wage$15.89$15.14$17.03
      Average Work Hours per Week40.839.639.5
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count21
      Average Hourly Wage$13.75$18.00
      Average Work Hours per Week30.030.0
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Eagle's WingEarly Childhood Assistant Teacher
      Private IndividualNannyMuscoda
      Private IndividualLead TeacherJohnson Creek
      Reach DaneTeacher AssistantStoughton
      Self-EmployedFamily Childcare Provider
      Toad Hill Toddler HouseAssistant Teacher
      Woods Hollow Children's CenterTeacherFitchburg
      Woods Hollow Children's CenterAssistant TeacherFitchburg

      * - 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

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