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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
Spring 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025
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
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 24 28 26 Number of Surveys Sent 24 28 26 Number of Surveys Returned 22 21 21 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 10 9 Percent Available for Employment 40.9% 47.6% 42.9% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 59.1% 52.4% 52.4% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 9 10 9 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 7 9 8 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 77.8% 90.0% 88.9% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 2 1 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 22.2% 10.0% 11.1% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.5 3.8 4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 19 13 9 Very Satisfied (4) 11 10 9 Percent Very Satisfied 57.9% 76.9% 100.0% Satisfied (3) 7 3 0 Percent Satisfied 36.8% 23.1% 0.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 5.3% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 22 21 21 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% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 10 9 Before Enrollment 8 6 2 Percent Before Enrollment 88.9% 60.0% 22.2% While Attending the College 1 3 5 Percent While Attending the College 11.1% 30.0% 55.6% After Training at the College 0 1 2 Percent After Training at the College 0.0% 10.0% 22.2% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 9 10 10 In College District 9 7 9 Percent In College District 100.0% 70.0% 90.0% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 3 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 30.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 0 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 10.0% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 3 6 6 Average Monthly Wage $2,338 $2,852 $3,244 Average Hourly Wage $13.59 $16.58 $18.86 Average Work Hours per Week 40.4 39.2 39.3 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 2 2 Average Hourly Wage $13.75 $14.50 $15.25 Average Work Hours per Week 30.0 10.7 27.5 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Kids' Safari Learning Center Infant Toddler Coach Cottage Grove Learning Ladder Float Teacher Cottage Grove Reach Dane Teacher Assistant Stoughton Rock-A-Bye Childcare Teacher/Float Sun Prairie Rock-A-Bye Assistant Director Sun Prairie Starlight Academy Preschooler Teacher Oregon Toad Hill Toddler House Assistant Teacher UW - Madison Child Development Lab Toddler Teacher * - 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
