Associate of Applied Science│2 Years│63 Credits│Fond du Lac, West Bend, Online│ Eligible for Financial Aid
Early Childhood Education Program
The Early Childhood Education (ECE) associate degree program at Moraine Park prepares students for their journey as educators, setting the stage for graduates to work as teachers and caregivers in two years.
New Scholarship: ECE students in the West Bend area will now have access to a unique scholarship opportunity thanks to a partnership between Moraine Park and The West Bend Community Foundation.
For students in the Early Childhood Education program, no day will be alike. Students in the program balance both academic coursework and practical experience, gaining hands-on experience at local child care centers. Students gain practice guiding child behavior and working cooperatively with staff and parents. This program has daytime courses offered at our Fond du Lac campus and evening courses offered at our West Bend campus, with some courses available online.
Students in the Early Childhood Education program learn to…
- Care for and educate children
- Play a key role in children’s development
- Maintain a clean and safe environment
- Plan educational activities
- Assess child growth and progress
Graduates of the program are prepared to work with children from birth to 8-year age range and are well-prepared for a variety of Early Childhood Education jobs.
Potential jobs and careers include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Child Care Teacher
- Child Care Assistant Teacher
- Family Child Care Provider
- Infant or Toddler Caregiver
- In-Home Nanny
- Early Childhood Special Needs Assistants
Explore related programs to start your career:
Several factors influence the total cost of your degree, including enrollment fees, the number of credits required, textbooks and equipment. Financial aid can assist with those costs.
The following estimated costs for completing this degree are based on the 2023-24 academic year and are subject to change. For further details, please visit the estimated cost of attendance page.
$11,258.10
Current tuition and fees
Coming Soon
Textbooks*
*Based on new books, rental, electronic, and used options may be available.
Scholarships
Scholarships may be available for students who are employed in a licensed child care center or a licensed or certified family child care program. Applicants must have the support of their employer and possess a high school diploma or GED. Scholarships for the Early Childhood Administrative Credential Certificate are available through the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association T.E.A.C.H. program.
Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 4-5 weeks for some programs, so plan ahead.
View and begin standard admissions steps.
There are additional health requirements for students in this program.
If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact us at admissions@morainepark.edu OR 920-924-3200, TTY/VP:Use Relay VRS.
State Licensure Disclosure:
Moraine Park’s Early Childhood Education 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.
The Early Childhood Education program includes required field experience training at off-site locations such as child care centers and schools. These hands-on experiences are an essential part of your education and help prepare you for working in the field. All students must meet specific health and safety requirements before they can participate in field experiences which require working with children.
Pre-Requirements for Field Experience
Before you begin your off-site field training, perspective students must complete the following:
- Caregiver Background Check – Must Be Approved
This background check is required by state law and must be completed and approved before starting any field placement. It includes:
- Fingerprinting
- FBI and Wisconsin Department of Justice criminal history
- Child abuse and neglect history
- State and federal sex offender registries
- Wisconsin CCAP (Consolidated Court Automation Program)
- Out-of-state criminal and child abuse history (if applicable)
- Local court and police records
Cost: Students are responsible for the background check and fingerprinting fee, which is approximately $40.
Note: Some criminal offenses automatically prevent someone from working with children. The list of barred offenses is available here:
Barred Offenses List – WI Department of Children and Families
- Health and Safety Training Certificates
These certificates may be completed in the course 307-167 Health, Safety & Nutrition or through an approved training provider: (Note: CPR is not provided in the HSN course; however, may be taken from MPTC non-credit courses or community agency).
- Infant & Child CPR with AED (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) (in-person class only). For assistance contact your Academic Advisor or Student Services.
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Prevention Training
- Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Training
- Mandated Reporter Training (Child Abuse and Neglect)
- Medical Physical Examination Report – Form DCF-F-CFS0054 Staff Health Form
Students must submit a signed and dated report of a physical examination that was completed within 12 months prior to the start of class. The report may be:
- A printout of an electronic health record from a medical provider, or
- Preferably, completed on the Staff Health form
The physical exam must be conducted by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or another qualified EPSDT provider. The report must indicate that the student is:
- Free from illnesses that may be harmful to children (including tuberculosis)
- Required by DCF Licensing Physically and mentally able to work with young children
- After your enrollment in a Field Experience course students will receive an email invitation sent to your school email for you to submit required documentation to a shared file folder.
Additional Information
- Off-site programs may have additional requirements, such as site orientations/training, school district background check, dress codes, or additional documentation.
- A full list of field experience requirements for this program is available by contacting the Student Health Record Representative at drhoads1@morainepark.edu.
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…
- Placement to practicum sites;
- Potential or future employment eligibility beyond graduation;
- Ability to sit for licensure or certification exams or achievement of credentials related to licensure or certification.
Taking a course within the Early Childhood Education curriculum prior to completing and passing a criminal background check does not guarantee enrollment in any one of the four 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 in the “Barred Offenses – Regulated Child Care” guide.
ECE Student Voices
High school dual credit provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, without leaving their high school classroom. The courses are taught by certified high school instructors using technical college curriculum, grading policies and textbooks.
Has previous life experience already helped you build knowledge and skills applicable to your studies? Applying previously earned credits to a program of study can save you both time spent in the classroom and money spent on tuition and fees.
Transferring here is easy! You can transfer in prior college work by submitting official college transcripts or get a free transcript review.
Financial Aid is provided to aid eligible associate degree and technical diploma programs with 28 credits or more. Processing can take 6-8 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received.
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.
Our recruiters on any of the three campuses are ready to help you plan your future!