Associate of Applied Science Degree

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The Early Childhood Education program prepares students to work as early childhood educators. It combines hands-on fieldwork with related academic work. Graduates become responsible for the care and education of children in the birth-to-eight-years age range. They create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning experiences, and work cooperatively with staff and families.

Early Childhood Education is a career option that has increased in demand. This expanding field is seeking potential students with keen observation skills, a talent for human insight, clear communication skills, and respect for children and families. Early Childhood Associate Degree graduates will meet the state educational requirements to be a Child Care Teacher in a licensed group early childhood center for children ages 2 weeks to 10 years old.

Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:​

• Apply child development theory to practice.
• Cultivate relationships with children, family, and the community.
• Assess child growth and development.
• Use effective, research-based practices in teaching and learning.
• Demonstrate professionalism.
• Integrate health, safety, and nutrition practices.

Graduates have found employment as:

• Nannies
• Infant Toddler Caregiver
• Before and After School Child Care Centers
• Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
• Early Childhood Centers Administration positions
• Child Care Teacher
• Child Care Assistant Teacher

View the entire course listing.

General Education Courses Within Program

A caregiver criminal background check and health examination are required prior to beginning a field experience course. Drug testing may also be required by certain sites. There are fees associated with these tasks. For more information, contact the program faculty and/or program advisor.

Taking a course within the Child Care Services technical diploma or Early Childhood Education associate degree prior to completing and passing a criminal background check does not guarantee enrollment in any of the field experience courses or placement in the early childhood field required for program completion.

Field Experience Courses
The Early Childhood Education program includes four required field experience courses. These courses include student teaching placement hours that must be completed in person at a local early childhood setting during daytime hours. Students must complete 54 hours in ECE: Field Experience 1 and 108 hours each in ECE: Field Experience 2, ECE: Field Experience 3, and ECE: Field Experience 4. In addition to placement hours, students are required to participate in scheduled class contact time associated with each field experience.

Required Documentation for Field Experience Placement
The following documentation must be completed before students can be placed in a field experience:

• Submit the required Background Information Disclosure (BID) form.
• When scheduling a fingerprint background check, students must bring two forms of valid identification (such as a Social Security card, driver’s license or state-issued ID, or passport) to the appointment. The student is responsible for the fee associated with the fingerprint background check.
• Students must obtain an acceptable Wisconsin Caregiver Background Check. Information identified in the background check may affect a student’s ability to secure a field experience placement and obtain employment after graduation.
• Complete the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Staff Health Report no more than 12 months prior to admission.

Taking a course within the Child Care Services technical diploma or Early Childhood Education associate degree prior to completing and passing a criminal background check does not guarantee enrollment in any of the field experience courses or placement in the early childhood field required for program completion.

Program Highlights

• All required program coursework is part of the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) statewide curriculum, which aligns with Wisconsin’s YoungStar requirements and allows for numerous seamless transfer opportunities between area technical colleges and baccalaureate degree-granting colleges and universities.
• Graduates of this program will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 12.
• Students of this program may be eligible for the TEACH Early Childhood WISCONSIN scholarship. TEACH Early Childhood® WISCONSIN provides higher education scholarships to professionals who work in regulated early childhood and school age care settings seeking approved credit-based education, such as the Early Childhood Education associate degree. Learn more about TEACH here: https://wisconsinearlychildhood.org/programs/t-e-a-c-h/

Graduates have found employment as:

• Nannies
• Infant Toddler Caregiver
• Before and After School Child Care Centers
• Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
• Early Childhood Centers Administration positions
• Child Care Teacher
• Child Care Assistant Teacher