From ABCs to 1,2,3s. Be the spark that ignites their love of learning.
children at a table
100%
Employed
100% of our recent graduates got a job in the industry.
Wisconsin Preschool Credential
Our courses count toward Registry levels
100%
Student Satisfaction
100% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.
Early Childhood Education Preschool
Program Number: 303077
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:
21 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
net price calculator sketch
What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$3,185.95

Financial Aid

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

    Research demonstrates that the best predictor of quality childcare is a teacher's level of education. The Early Childhood Education: Preschool embedded technical diploma at Madison College will prepare you with the skills needed to work as a teacher with children ages 3 - 5 years in early childhood settings.

    All 21 credits in this diploma are part of the Early Childhood Education associate degree program. Students interested in earning their Registry Preschool Credential should contact Registry or epink@madisoncollege.edu for more information.

    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 (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 diploma contact epink@madisoncollege.edu.

    Program Details

    This certificate is offered in English and in a Bilingual-Spanish/English format. Students in the Preschool Program can attend full- or part-time.

    Early Childhood Education classes are offered at the Goodman South campus and online.

    Careers

    Earning your less than one-year technical diploma in the Preschool Education 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 childcare 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.

    Resources

  • 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
    10-307-108
    3 credits
    10-307-167
    3 credits
    10-307-174
    3 credits
    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 Early Childhood Education Preschool career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Career Outcomes

    Madison College Early Childhood Education Preschool 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 Graduates192532
      Number of Surveys Sent192531
      Number of Surveys Returned22325
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment182
      Percent Available for Employment50.00%47.10%100.00%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market50.00%88.20%1150.00%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed172
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%87.50%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation172
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%100.00%100.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation000
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment010
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%12.50%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)43.53
      Number of Satisfaction Responses2172
      Very Satisfied (4)2100
      Percent Very Satisfied100.00%58.80%0.00%
      Satisfied (3)062
      Percent Satisfied0.00%35.30%100.00%
      Unsatisfied (2)000
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)010
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.00%5.90%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses22325
      Preparation for Getting a Job050
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job0.00%21.70%0.00%
      Career Change020
      Percent Career Change0.00%8.70%0.00%
      Improvement of Existing Skills122
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills50.00%8.70%8.00%
      Preparation for Further Education11323
      Percent Preparation for Further Education50.00%56.50%92.00%
      Personal Interest010
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%4.30%0.00%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses172
      Before Enrollment061
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%85.70%50.00%
      While Attending the College101
      Percent While Attending the College100.00%0.00%50.00%
      After Training at the College010
      Percent After Training at the College0.00%14.30%0.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses172
      In College District172
      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 Count141
      Average Monthly Wage$1,251$2,530$2,580
      Average Hourly Wage$7.27$14.71$15.00
      Average Work Hours per Week5540.440
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count21
      Average Hourly Wage$13.75$22.00
      Average Work Hours per Week3025
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Starlight AcademyDirector/TeacherOregon
      The Playing FieldAssistant 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

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!