Child Care Services

To learn more, visit: https://www.morainepark.edu/academics/programs/child-care-services/

Program Number: 31-307-1
Technical Diploma (1 year)
Campus: Fond du Lac, West Bend
This program is eligible for financial aid

Gain hands-on experience and learn employable skills in less than a year with the Child Care Services technical diploma at Moraine Park Technical College.

About the Program

Work toward making a difference in the lives of children birth through age 8 through the Child Care Services diploma at Moraine Park. You’ll gain hands-on training through both classroom work and practicum experience. With the increasing demand for quality child care, students can start working in a child care setting in as little as two semesters.

What You'll Learn

Students in the Child Care Services program gain hands-on experience in local child care centers. Students practice creating age-appropriate classroom activities, guiding behaviors and building a well-rounded learning environment. Graduates of the program will know how to follow health, safety and nutrition practices, as well as how to support the development of children’s language skills and dual language learners.

The courses in this technical diploma transfer into the Early Childhood Education Associate of Applied Science degree.

Transfer Opportunities

Your academic journey can continue at a four-year college or university. Earn your associate degree at Moraine Park and then apply those credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Starting at MPTC makes completing a bachelor’s degree affordableaccessible and convenient. You can go anywhere as MPTC has transfer agreements with colleges and universities both in Wisconsin and throughout the country.

Visit the Transfer to a Four-Year College page for more information on credit transfer agreements between Moraine Park and four-year colleges, both public and private.
 

Additional Information

State Licensure Disclosure: Moraine Park’s Child Care Services program prepares students to obtain the educational requirements for licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. No determination has been made if the curriculum matches the educational requirements for preparation, examinations, or licensure for other states. Visit the Accreditation page for more details about accreditation.  

Important:

This program does not require a criminal background check at the point of admission, but a criminal background check will be required. Students will need to successfully pass a criminal background check to progress in and complete the program. Students will receive information regarding completing this requirement before being placed working/observing in a child care facility.

Please Note:

Moraine Park Technical College does not guarantee:

  1. Placement to practicum sites;
  2. Potential or future employment eligibility beyond graduation;
  3. Ability to sit for licensure or certification exams or achievement of credentials related to licensure or certification.

Taking a course within the Child Care Services curriculum prior to completing and passing a criminal background check does not guarantee enrollment in any one of the practicum courses required for program completion.

More information regarding barred offenses that may impact a person's ability to work at a child care center can be found here: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/5206.pdf

 

Admission Process

Standard Admissions steps details

This program also requires:

  • Health Requirements

Credit for Prior Learning

Transform the skills and abilities developed through previous experience into college credit through MPTC’s Credit for Prior Learning process. 

  • Transfer credit from other colleges/universities
  • Earn college credit for your military training and experience
  • Earn college credit via Advance Placement, CLEP, DANTES/DSST or MPTC Challenge Exams
  • Earn college credit from previous/current work and life experiences

Visit MPTC’s Credit for Prior Learning page for more information.

Approximate Costs

Fees shown are 2023-2024 fees; 2024-2025 fees will be available as soon as they are approved.

Tuition

Occupational

  • $146.20 per credit (resident)
  • $219.30 per credit (out-of-state resident)

Associate of Arts/Associate of Science

  • $188.90 per credit (resident)
  • $283.35 per credit (out-of-state resident)

Online students are not charged out-of-state fees.

Student Fees

  • $4.50 minimum per course Material Fee
  • $12.50 per-credit Supplemental Fee for Undergraduate courses
  • $10 minimum per credit Online Course Fee (Fee suspended for 2023-2024)
  • $4.50 per term mandatory Student Accident Insurance Fee

Please refer to Tuition & Fee Information for additional enrollment fee information.

Financial Aid

Financial Aid is available for associate degree and technical diploma programs (those that are 2 semesters in length and typically with 28 credits or more). Processing can take 4-5 weeks after a student's completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received. Visit the Financial Aid page to learn more.

While attending Moraine Park during the 2024-25 school year, your estimated cost of attendance for one full year includes tuition of $4,462 (15 credits for fall and spring semester), fees of $338, food and housing of $3,008 (if living with parents, $9,147 if living on your own), books and supplies of $1,465, personal expenses of $3,608, and transportation of $4,017 for a total of $17,002. Your direct costs (those costs paid directly to the college) include tuition & fees. The indirect costs (costs not paid to the college) can vary from individual to individual and your own personal needs.

Course Requirements

Plan of Study Grid
Semester 1Credits
307-110 ECE: Social Studies, Art, Music and Movement 3
307-151 ECE: Infant and Toddler Development 3
307-167 ECE: Health, Safety and Nutrition 3
307-174 ECE: Introductory Practicum 3
801-136 English Composition 1 3
890-101 College 101 2
 Credits17
Semester 2
103-159 Computer Literacy - Microsoft Office 1
307-108 ECE: Early Language and Literacy 3
307-148 ECE: Foundations of Early Childhood Education 3
307-175 ECE: Preschool Practicum 3
307-179 ECE: Child Development 3
307-188 ECE: Guiding Children's Behavior 3
 Credits16
 Total Credits33

Program Outcomes

  • Relate knowledge of child development to practice.
  • Create relationships with children, family and the community.
  • Apply observations, documentation and assessment strategies.
  • Implement developmentally appropriate teaching and learning activities.
  • Demonstrate professionalism.
  • Follow health, safety and nutrition practices.

Pathways

Earn certificates, a technical diploma and associate degree along this pathway. Start with some courses for entry-level employment, and continue with additional courses for higher wages and job advancement.

Career Opportunities

  • Child Care Teacher
  • Child Care Assistant Teacher
  • Family Child Care Provider
  • Nanny

Statewide Median Salary for Recent Graduates

$32,757