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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
- Watertown
- 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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Program Courses
Here's a sample course sequence that shows how classes for full-time students are typically organized by semester.
Once you're admitted, your full curriculum and sequence—including any pre-requisites—is defined in your Degree Progress Report.
First Semester10-307-110ECE: Social Studies, Art, and Music
This 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of social studies, art, music, & movement (SSAMM).3 credits10-307-148ECE: Foundations of Early Childhood Education
This 3-credit course introduces you to the early childhood profession. Course competencies include: explore the concepts of diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias as it relates to early childhood education, investigate the history of early childhood education, examine regulatory requirements for early childhood education programs in WI, summarize types of early childhood education settings, identify the components of a quality early childhood education program, summarize responsibilities of early childhood education professionals, explore early childhood curriculum models and examine the critical role of play as it relates to developmentally appropriate practice.3 credits10-307-151ECE: Infant & Toddler Development
In this 3-credit course you will study infant and toddler development as it applies to an early childhood education setting. Course competencies include: integrate strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives; analyze development of infants and toddlers (conception to thirty-six months); correlate prenatal and postnatal conditions with development; summarize child development theories; analyze the role of heredity and the environment; examine culturally and developmentally appropriate environments for infants and toddlers, examine the role of brain development in early learning (conception through thirty-six months); examine caregiving routines as curriculum; and examine developmental and environmental assessment strategies for infants and toddlers.3 credits10-307-167ECE: Health, Safety, & Nutrition
This course examines the topics of health, safety and nutrition within the context of the early childhood educational setting. Course competencies include: follow governmental regulations and professional standards as they apply to health, safety and nutrition; provide a safe, healthy, and nutritionally sound early childhood program; adhere to child abuse and neglect mandates; apply Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction strategies; incorporate health, safety and nutrition concepts into the children's curriculum.3 credits10-307-160ECE: Field Experience 1
This introductory field experience course, introduces the foundations of early childhood education under guided supervision of a mentor teacher in an early childhood setting, working with children birth through age 8. This course meets the requirements for the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards 18-hour training.3 creditsSecond Semester10-307-108ECE: Early Language and Literacy
This course explores strategies to encourage the development of early language and literacy knowledge and skill building in children birth to 8 years of age. Learners will investigate the components of literacy including; literacy and a source of enjoyment, vocabulary and oral language, phonological awareness, knowledge of print, letters and words, comprehension and an understanding of books and other texts. Theories and philosophies regarding children's language and literacy development will be addressed. Dual language learning will be examined within the context of developmentally appropriate practices. Assessment tools for early language and literacy acquisition will be reviewed.3 credits10-307-179ECE: Child Development
The 3-credit course examines child development within the context of the early childhood education setting. Course competencies include: integrate strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives; analyze social, cultural, and economic influences on child development; summarize child development theories; analyze development of children ages three through five; analyze development of children ages five through eight; relate child development research findings to teaching practice; analyze the role of heredity and the environment; examine the role of brain development in early learning (ages 3-8); examine developmental and environmental assessment strategies for children ages 3-8.3 credits10-307-188ECE: Guiding Children's Behavior
This 3-credit course examines positive strategies to guide children's behavior in the early childhood education setting. Course competencies include: integrate strategies that support diversity, cultural responsiveness, and anti-bias perspectives; analyze techniques for and effects of strong relationship-building with children and families; identify positive and proactive guidance principles and techniques to support children; analyze environmental influences on child behavior; identify strategies that support children’s active engagement in the learning environment; identify strategies that proactively teach emotional literacy and regulation techniques; identify strategies that proactively teach friendship skills; identify strategies that proactively teach children calming, relaxation, and problem-solving techniques; utilize observation and assessment techniques to assess and interpret behavior; create a behavior support plan based on a functional behavior assessment; create a guidance philosophy. This course meets the requirements of the "24 hour Wisconsin" Pyramid Model training.3 credits10-307-170ECE: Field Experience 2
This intermediate field experience course includes assisting the mentor teacher in carrying out classroom routines and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote child development and learning through play for children birth to age 8.3 credits -
How to Apply
Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!
If you are an international student and want to apply to Madison College, or transfer your F-1 student visa here, check program availability and then complete the International Admission Process.
Apply Now – Limited Seats Available!
This program has limited capacity and may reach maximum enrollment quickly. Applying early gives you the best chance of securing a spot.
- Program capacity: 50 spots each Fall and 25 spots each Spring. It shares this capacity with other programs that have similar curriculum.
- Estimated Wait Time: No estimated wait time
Submitting your application now ensures you're considered as soon as space becomes available. If the program reaches capacity, a waiting list will be used to manage additional qualified applicants.
Learn more in the After You Apply section on this page.
Application Dates
Spring 2027
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is January 15, 2027
Fall 2027
- Application available on October 15, 2026
- Application completion deadline is August 31, 2027
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.
3. Residency Requirement
Per Wisconsin Statute TCS-10 because this program has a limited capacity:
- Non-district state residents
- May only be considered after January 1 for the upcoming fall term
- *Minnesota residents are considered non-district state residents for admission purposes
- Out-of-state residents (except Minnesota residents*) are offered a place in the program after district and state residents, if there are still spots available. Acceptance into the program is on hold until a month before the semester begins to determine if there is space in the program. Out-of-state residents are not eligible for admission to a program that has a waiting list.
Additional Notes
Individual courses may have prerequisites to enroll. Admission into a program or waiting list does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses. See the Curriculum section for the list of courses for the program.
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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After You Apply
This program uses a waiting list to manage program admission due to capacity limitations and high program demand. This means there are typically more applicants than there are open seats in the program.
A waiting list helps us manage applications in a way that is fair and transparent.
- Students on the waiting list receive priority in future terms based on the date they complete all application requirements.
- Priority does not guarantee a spot in the program.
- You may remain on the waiting list if you continue to follow the steps to notify Madison College of your continued interest.
Learn more about waiting lists and Admission to Programs with Limited Capacity.
Questions?
Contact Enrollment Services at enrollmentservices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.
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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
2023 2024 2025 Number of Program Graduates 26 31 28 Number of Surveys Sent 26 31 26 Number of Surveys Returned 21 23 21 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 9 8 11 Percent Available for Employment 42.9% 34.8% 52.4% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 52.4% 65.2% 47.6% Available for Employment
2023 2024 2025 Graduates Employed 9 7 11 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.0% 87.5% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 8 7 10 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 88.9% 100.0% 90.9% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 1 0 1 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 11.1% 0.0% 9.1% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 0 1 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.0% 12.5% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 4 3.7 3.9 Number of Satisfaction Responses 9 9 14 Very Satisfied (4) 9 6 12 Percent Very Satisfied 100.0% 66.7% 85.7% Satisfied (3) 0 3 2 Percent Satisfied 0.0% 33.3% 14.3% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 0 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2023 2024 2025 Number of Primary Reason Responses 21 23 21 Preparation for Getting a Job 4 1 7 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 19.0% 4.3% 33.3% Career Change 4 1 4 Percent Career Change 19.0% 4.3% 19.0% Improvement of Existing Skills 1 2 1 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 4.8% 8.7% 4.8% Preparation for Further Education 12 18 9 Percent Preparation for Further Education 57.1% 78.3% 42.9% Personal Interest 0 0 0 Percent Personal Interest 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Other 0 1 0 Percent Other 0.0% 4.3% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2023 2024 2025 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 9 7 11 Before Enrollment 2 2 3 Percent Before Enrollment 22.2% 28.6% 27.3% While Attending the College 5 5 5 Percent While Attending the College 55.6% 71.4% 45.5% After Training at the College 2 0 3 Percent After Training at the College 22.2% 0.0% 27.3% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2023 2024 2025 Number of Employment Location Responses 10 7 11 In College District 9 7 9 Percent In College District 90.0% 100.0% 81.8% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 0.0% 9.1% Employer Location Unknown 1 0 1 Percent Location Unknown 10.0% 0.0% 9.1% Salary Trend 2023 2024 2025 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 6 6 7 Average Monthly Wage $3,244 $3,230 $3,880 Average Hourly Wage $18.86 $18.78 $22.56 Average Work Hours per Week 39.3 40.0 41.9 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 2 1 2 Average Hourly Wage $15.25 $7.70 $17.25 Average Work Hours per Week 27.5 9.0 27.5 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2025 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Bright Horizons Assistant Teacher Child Life Ministries Early Childhood Education McFarland Eagle's Wing Childcare Assistant Teacher Goddard School Lead Preschool Teacher Middleton Madison Area Technical College Lead Teacher Unspecified Teacher New York NY Unspecified Certified Nursing Assistant Woods Hollow Children's Center Assistant Teacher Fitchburg YMCA 3K Teacher Oconomowoc * - 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
