Guiding and Supporting Children
Unique in the State
Pathway Certificate
6 Credits | 2 Semesters
New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior, Online
Career Cluster: Education and Training
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Child care professionals provide care and education for a variety of diverse learners. The Guiding and Supporting Children certificate prepares you to help meet each child's needs.
Program Overview
Students in this essential field receive training in planning and implementing developmentally appropriate curriculum for children of all developmental levels and needs; using positive guidance techniques to manage an early childhood classroom; and working with families to provide a link between the center and the home. This pathway certificate was developed with two courses from the Wisconsin Technical College System statewide curriculum for the associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Completers of this certificate will meet the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families licensing guidelines for teachers in group child care centers and will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 7.
Program Outcomes
The Guiding and Supporting Children pathway certificate will prepare you to:
- Apply supportive strategies for encouraging social/emotional development and addressing children’s behavior
- Develop learning experiences and environments for children of a variety of developmental differences and needs
- Communicate effectively with families, ensuring partnership formation
Technical Standards
In this program, students should be able to meet specific technical standards, which are the essential skills and abilities needed to be successful in a program, with or without reasonable accommodation. It is important to review and understand these standards before applying to the program.
The Guiding and Supporting Children pathway certificate is available online and onsite. It is ideal for new or experienced teachers. Pathway certificates allow you to seamlessly continue your education to earn a technical diploma, associate degree, and beyond.
Flexible delivery.
Learn by doing.
Career Pathway program.
Academics
As a graduate, you will become responsible for the care and education of children in a licensed group childcare setting. You will learn to develop curriculum and provide behavior guidance for all types of learners. Completers of this certificate will meet the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families licensing guidelines for teachers in group childcare centers and will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 7.
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.
YoungStar Recognized
YoungStar is designed to help Wisconsin’s child care providers succeed. The simple five star rating system gives providers like you an objective measure of program quality. It rewards excellence and offers programs a clear path to improvement.
T.E.A.C.H. Scholarships
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 Guiding and Supporting Children pathway certificate.
Required Courses
Coursework is designed to meet the qualifications and training requirements for teachers in state-licensed group child care centers. The curriculum consists of 6 credits representing 2 courses selected from the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) statewide curriculum associate degree. Graduates of this certificate will be recognized as Wisconsin Registry Career Level 7.
Featured Guiding and Supporting Children Courses
Guiding and Supporting Children is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Guiding and Supporting Children student at Northwood Tech, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
You could take this first and get a credential.
Continue your education to earn a pathway certificate.
Continue your education to earn a technical diploma.
Continue your education to earn your associate degree.
Continue your education to earn your bachelor degree.
Admissions and Tuition
Northwood Tech has an easy admission process. Get started by completing the Online application form.
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.
Learn More About Paying for College
Cost of Attendance
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of the costs that you may incur while attending Northwood Technical College.
Estimated Total Program Tuition 2024-25*
Guiding and Supporting Children
6 Credits | 2 Semesters
$966
*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 Guiding and Supporting Children Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Guiding and Supporting Children Pathway Certificate. Continue your education in the E-Connect - Child Care Services technical diploma and the Early Childhood Education or E-CHiLD associate degree program.
Transfer Center
Transfer your Northwood Tech credits to a four-year college to earn your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
Northwood Tech's graduates experience success. Learn more about the types of careers you can get after graduation.
Partnership
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 103, Fitchburg, WI 53719
Get the Northwood Tech experience
Attend an event or schedule a campus tour/program shadow.
Download the Catalog
Learn more about programs, courses, tuition and fees, services and more.
Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
