
Group Child Care Essentials
Pathway Certificate
6 Credits
New Richmond*, Rice Lake*, Superior*, Online
*Combination of Online and On Site instruction
Career Cluster: Education and Training
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. 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

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 child care setting. 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. 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.
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.
Curriculum
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 WITC, you can earn credentials each step of the way!
You could take this first and get a credential.
Continue your education.
Continue your education to obtain a technical diploma.
Continue your education to obtain your associate degree.
Continue your education to obtain your bachelor degree.
Early Childhood Education & E-CHiLD Transfer Options
Admissions and Tuition
WITC has a simple admission process for this program that can be completed in one step: simply fill out an application form. That's it!
Tuition and Fees
WITC breaks down the cost of education, so you'll have a good idea of how much your education will cost.
Estimated Total Program Costs 2020-21*
Group Child Care Essentials
6 Credits
TBD
Book costs are unavailable at this time.
*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 WITC Group Child Care Essentials Program
Upon completion of the program, you will obtain a Group Child Care Essentials Pathway Certificate.

Transfer Options
Transfer your WITC credits to a four-year college in Wisconsin to obtain your bachelor's degree and beyond.
Career Outlooks
WITC'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 101, Fitchburg, WI, 53719
Professional Licensure and/or Certification Information
WITC’s Early Childhood Education Associate Degree is designed to prepare students to obtain the required licensure to be employed/practice in the state of Wisconsin. However, WITC 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 WITC program meets licensure or certification requirements.
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