E-Connect - Child Care Services

A student reading a book to a baby

E-Connect - Child Care Services

Technical Diploma

27 Credits | 1 Year

Financial Aid-Eligible

Online 

Career Cluster: Education & Training

FREE Childcare Essentials Pathway Certificate training through Ashland and Superior locations.

Early childhood educators work with young children during the pivotal years that build the foundation for future success. They use play, science, art, language, math, and music to help young children of all abilities and backgrounds develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. If you have a passion for education and creativity, and you enjoy working with young children, consider a fun and rewarding career in early childhood education.


 

Heart logo ECE and Pathways

 

 

Financial assistance may be available as part of the QUEST: Support for Early Childhood Education and Child Care Grant. Learn more about this opportunity here.

 

 


 

Program Overview

E-Connect-Child Care Services is an innovative Early Childhood Education one-year technical diploma that incorporates the first year of the Early Childhood Education associate degree. Choose from online or face-to-face courses, or mix and match. This coursework, combined with community-based student teaching, prepares you to work as a teacher or caregiver in an early childhood setting. As a student, you’ll take a variety of courses related to early childhood development, curriculum, behavior guidance, and working with families to prepare you for success in this high-demand field. Graduates of this technical diploma will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 11.

Program Outcomes

E-Connect - Child Care Services graduates will be able to:

  • Relate knowledge of child development to practice
  • Create relationships with children, family, and the community
  • Apply observation, documentation, and assessment strategies
  • Implement developmentally appropriate teaching and learning experiences
  • Demonstrate professional practice
  • Follow health, safety, and nutrition practices
Childcare provider working on a shaving cream craft with two elementary aged children

This program meets “Year One” technical studies coursework required to obtain the Early Childhood Education associate degree and allows for seamless opportunities for degree completion.

Paint splattered everywhere and a hand print on a computer screen

Fully online. 

An Early Childhood Education student and a toddler playing with blocks

Learn by doing. 

Child smiling and holding up messy and sparkly hands

Career Pathways. 


Academics

As a graduate, you will become responsible for the care and education of children from birth to school-age. You will learn to create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning activities, and work cooperatively with staff and parents. Graduates of this technical diploma will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 11. 

Students of this program may be eligible for the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood WISCONSIN scholarship. T.E.A.C.H. 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. 

Online & Face-to-Face Courses

Earn an E-Connect - Child Care Services technical diploma in one year through On site, Online and Online Live (synchronous) classes - mix and match.

Experienced Instructors, Small Class Sizes

You’ll learn from knowledgeable and passionate instructors who care about your success and will ensure that you get the most out of your education. Small class sizes allow you to connect and interact with your instructors and classmates in fun and meaningful ways, whether virtually or in person.

YoungStar Recognized

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.


Required Courses

Coursework focuses on developmentally appropriate practice and brain-based learning and promotes play, science, art, language, math and music to help young children of all abilities and backgrounds develop physically, cognitively, socially and emotionally. You will learn how to create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, guide behavior, plan and implement learning activities, and work cooperatively with staff and parents. 

Explore the Required Courses

Featured E-Connect - Child Care Services Courses

10307151
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
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.
10307110
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of social studies, art, music, & movement (SSAMM).
10307160
|
UGRD
| 3 CR
This is the first of six courses designed to prepare participants to receive a credential as a child care administrator. This course represents an overview of the roles and responsibilities of administrators of various early care and education programs and the groups with whom they have role relationships, with an emphasis on quality.

E-Connect - Child Care Services is Part of a Career Pathway

As an E-Connect - Child Care Services student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way! 

You could take this first and get a credential.

Pathway Certificate
6 Credits / 2 Semesters Part Time
Potential Careers
Child Care Teacher, Assistant Child Care Teacher
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This is the program you’re looking at.

Technical Diploma
27 Credits / 1 Year / 2 Semesters Full Time; Part Time Option Available
Potential Careers
Child Care Teacher, Child Care Assistant Teacher, Family Child Care Provider, Infant or Toddler Caregiver, Au Pair/Nanny, Early Childhood Special Needs Assistant, Public School Teacher Aide/Assistant
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You can continue your education to earn an associate degree.

Associate Degree
60 Credits / Associate Degree - 2 Year
Potential Careers
Child Care Teacher, Preschool Teacher, Family Child Care Provider, Infant or Toddler Caregiver, Early Childhood Special Needs Assistant, Public School Teacher Aide/Assistant, Head Start Teacher/Assistant, Program Director/Administrator, Au Pair/Nanny
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Continue your education to earn a bachelor's degree.


Admissions and Tuition

Northwood Tech has an easy admission process that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.

Requirements and Application

Tuition and Fees

Northwood Tech breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost. 

Financial Aid

Financial aid is available to help you pay for your education. It can come in the form of grants, loans, federal work-study, military and veterans benefits, division of vocational rehabilitation benefits, and scholarships. 

Learn More About Paying for College

Estimated Total Program Costs 2023-24*

E-Connect - Child Care Services

27 Credits | 1 Year

$4,540


*Tuition is an estimate and does not include any miscellaneous fees for various courses, tools, books, supplies or uniforms. Program book costs are in addition to tuition and fees and vary depending on course selection and where the books are purchased or rented. 


After the Northwood Tech E-Connect - Child Care Services Program

Upon completion of the program, you will earn a pathway certificate in Group Child Care Essentials and an E-Connect - Child Care Services technical diploma. Continue your education at Northwood Tech in the Early Childhood Education or E-CHiLD associate degree programs.

Student studying at a computer

Transfer Center

Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond. 

View Transfer Center

 

Career Outlooks

Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.

View Career Options

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Partnership

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin logo, a program of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association

T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® WISCONSIN provides higher education scholarships to professionals who work in regulated early childhood and school age care settings. Since its inception in 1999, T.E.A.CH. has provided more than 14,000 scholarships to over 8,000 early childhood teachers.

Learn more about T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® WISCONSIN here.

2908 Marketplace Drive, Suite 101, Fitchburg, WI, 53719

Call 800.783.9322


 

Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information

 

Northwood Tech’s E-Connect - Child Care Services Technical Diploma is designed to prepare students to obtain the required licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. However, Northwood Tech has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the Northwood Tech program meets licensure or certification requirements.

To learn more, visit: 

The Registry

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

Contact

Choose a campus to view contact information, or for general assistance, please contact us.

Rice Lake Admissions Contact

Nicole Messicci

Admissions Advisor

715.788.7144

Contact

Ashland Admissions Contact

Jennifer Bednarik

Admissions Advisor

715.685.3039

Contact

New Richmond Admissions Contact

Jodi Saliny

Admissions Advisor

715.752.8119

Contact

Superior Admissions Contact

Anna Kalin

Admissions Advisor

715.319.7331

Contact

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