Group Child Care Essentials
Pathway Certificate
6 Credits | 2 Semesters Part Time
New Richmond, Rice Lake, Superior, Online
Career Cluster: Education and Training
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Finding the class you want to take has never been easier.
In this rewarding career, you will make a difference in the lives of families every day. Group child care centers seek workers who are patient, enthusiastic and creative. If this sounds like you, early childhood education could be the career for you. The Group Child Care Essentials certificate can serve as a launching point for your career in early childhood education.
Program Overview
As a student in the Group Child Care Essentials certificate, you will gain a better understanding of the knowledge and skills required of a child care teacher. 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 Group Child Care Essentials pathway certificate will prepare you to:
- Assess the development of preschool children
- Provide a healthy, safe, and nutritionally sound preschool environment
- Integrate strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives
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 Group Child Care Essentials Pathway Certificate is available online and is ideal for individuals who want to work in a licensed group child care center. 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 create and maintain safe and healthy play environments, assess development, and plan and implement learning activities. 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 Group Child Care Essentials 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 Group Child Care Essentials Courses
Group Child Care Essentials is Part of a Career Pathway
As a Group Child Care Essentials 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 that can be completed in one visit. Please see the details under the "Requirements and Application" section to get started.
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*
Group Child Care Essentials
6 Credits | 2 Semesters Part Time
$968
*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 Group Child Care Essentials Program
Upon completion of the program, you will earn a Group Child Care Essentials 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.
