Continue working toward an early childhood education degree – or go right to work. The next generation needs you.
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28
Recent Graduates
There are 28 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
99%
Student Satisfaction
99% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
$34k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $34,224.
Child Care Services
Program Number: 313071
Your Degree:
Technical Diploma
Area of Study:
Education and Social Sciences
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
100% Online
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
27 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$4,154.35

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • 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 Childcare 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.

  • 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.

    First Semester
    Second Semester
    10-307-179
    3 credits
    10-307-188
    3 credits
    10-307-175
    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

    Spring 2024

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

    Fall 2024

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

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 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 Child Care Services career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    Madison College Childcare 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.
    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates172428
      Number of Surveys Sent152428
      Number of Surveys Returned52221
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment5910
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%47.40%76.90%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%68.40%84.60%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed5910
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation379
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation60.00%77.80%90.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation221
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation40.00%22.20%10.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment000
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.43.53.8
      Number of Satisfaction Responses51913
      Very Satisfied (4)21110
      Percent Very Satisfied40.00%57.90%76.90%
      Satisfied (3)373
      Percent Satisfied60.00%36.80%23.10%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)010
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%5.30%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses52221
      Preparation for Getting a Job253
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job40.00%22.70%14.30%
      Career Change110
      Percent Career Change20.00%4.50%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills124
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills20.00%9.10%19.00%
      Preparation for Further Education11312
      Percent Preparation for Further Education20.00%59.10%57.10%
      Personal Interest012
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%4.50%9.50%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses4910
      Before Enrollment386
      Percent Before Enrollment75.00%88.90%60.00%
      While Attending the College013
      Percent While Attending the College0.00%11.10%30.00%
      After Training at the College101
      Percent After Training at the College25.00%0.00%10.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses497
      In College District497
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%100.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin000
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count136
      Average Monthly Wage$2,460$2,338$2,852
      Average Hourly Wage$14.30$13.59$16.58
      Average Work Hours per Week4040.439.2
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count022
      Average Hourly Wage$13.75$14.50
      Average Work Hours per Week303010.7
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Bright Child Learning CenterLead Toddler Teacher
      Kids At PlayLead TeacherStoddard
      Marshall School DistrictSpecial Education ParaprofessionalMarshall
      Waunakee PreschoolTeacherWaunakee
      We Care Childcare CenterAssistant TeacherWaupun
      Wishing Well PreschoolLead TeacherDeForest
      Woods Hollow Children's CenterTeacher AssistantFitchburg
      YMCASite Supervisor

      * - 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