Early Childhood Assistant Teacher - Technical Diploma
The Early Childhood Assistant Teacher program is a great starting point for students who enjoy working with young children and want to make a positive impact in their communities. This program introduces you to the early childhood field and helps you develop the skills needed to support teachers and help young children learn, play, and grow. Throughout the program, you’ll learn through a mix of hands-on experience in real early learning settings and interactive classes at the college. You’ll practice helping children learn through play, creating safe and welcoming classroom environments, supporting positive behavior, and assisting with activities for children from birth to age five. These experiences prepare you for work in settings such as childcare centers, preschools, and Head Start programs. The program includes 31 credits and offers a clear path to continue your education. After completing it, you can seamlessly move into the Early Childhood Education associate degree, and you even have the option to pursue a bachelor’s degree in the future if you choose. This program is especially well-suited for students who enjoy helping others, prefer hands-on learning, and want a meaningful career where they can make a difference every day.
Delivery
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Program Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition: $5,296, Books: $124, Supplies: $650
This program is fully eligible for financial aid.
Estimates based on in-state residency. Please visit the following URL to learn more about tuition and fees for this program. https://www.nwtc.edu/admissions-and-aid/paying-for-college/tuition-and-fees?ProgramCode=313076
Requirements for Program Entry
- Apply at www.nwtc.edu/apply.
- High school transcript (or GED/HSED transcript).
- College transcript (if applicable).
- If your cumulative GPA is below 2.6, complete or submit a placement evaluation.
- Demonstrated suitability to the early childhood profession as indicated by completion of a functional ability checklist.
- Complete a physical examination report no more than 12 months prior to admission.
- Completed an American Heart Association CPR course prior to program entry to include the AED component for infants, toddlers and adults. Students are required to maintain a current CPR card on a two-year renewal cycle.
- Mastered basic math before entering this program. Basic math covers whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, and measurements.
- To be admitted to this program, learners must achieve a prior cumulative high school or college grade point average of 2.6 or higher OR a satisfactory academic skills assessment score. College grade point average must be based on 15 credits or more. To learn more about starting this program, please contact an academic advisor at (920) 498-5444 or (888) 385-6982.
- Complete DCF caregiver background check, including fingerprinting. A fee is charged for this service. Must be completed to be accepted to the program.
- Attend mandatory program orientation. Check your email for invitation to register for orientation.
- Tip! Our admission advisors will assist you through every step. Have questions? Connect with NWTC Admissions at start@nwtc.edu or 920-498-5444.
Program Outcomes
- Use child development theory in practice.
- Develop relationships with children, family, and the community.
- Observe child growth and development.
- Identify best practices in teaching and learning.
- Practice professionalism.
- Apply health, safety, and nutrition practices.
Curriculum
Students following the study plan below will complete the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Technical Diploma in the number of semesters shown. Courses can be taken in-person, online, web conference, and blended, as long as prerequisites are met.
First Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
Second Semester
8 Week 1
8 Week 2
- Curriculum Note: Field experience courses include student teaching placement hours which must be completed in person at a local early childhood setting, in addition to course work. NWTC faculty arrange student teaching settings for/with students. Students are required to complete student teaching in each center placement. Students are required to achieve a grade of "C" or higher in the field experience courses to continue in or graduate from this program.
- Failure to pass a field experience course on the second attempt, may result in removal from the program. See Program Handbook.
- Students must earn a “C” or higher in 10-890-101, College 101.
- Students must earn a grade of a "C" or higher in all 10-307-XXX courses to successfully graduate the Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Technical Diploma. If a grade earned is "D" or "F", the course must be retaken to earn the grade of "C" or better to continue in and graduate from this program. If the course is sequential, the successful retake must occur before continuing the sequence.
Course Descriptions
Students gain skills that lead to success in college, employment, and life. Students should take this course in their first semester. (Pre-requisite: None.)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit course introduces the early childhood profession through a historical overview of the field. The course will explore program trends, quality indicators, and developmentally appropriate practices for children birth to 8 years of age (Corequisite: 10-809-101, College 101).
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit course examines the topics of health, safety, and nutrition within the context of the early childhood educational setting for children from birth through 8 years of age. This course includes training for Abusive Head Trauma, SIDS, and Mandated Reporter certifications.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit introductory field experience course, introduces the foundations of early childhood education under guided supervision of a mentor teacher in an early childhood setting, working with children birth through age 8. This course meets the requirements for the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards 18-hour training. (Prerequisites: Accepted in Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program or Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Technical Diploma; 10-307-167 ECE: Health Safety & Nutrition. Corequisite: 10-890-101 College 101 and 10-307-179 ECE: Child Development)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringThis 3-credit course examines child development within the context of the early childhood education setting. This course focuses on children ages 3-8 years of age.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit course examines positive strategies to guide children's behavior in the early childhood education setting for children from birth to 8 years of age. This course meets the requirements of the Wisconsin Pyramid Model training.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit course explores infant and toddler development as it applies to an early childhood education setting. This course focuses on children's development from conception through thirty-six months (3 years). This course includes training for Wisconsin Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care certification.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringThis 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of social studies, art, music, & movement (SSAMM) for children from birth to 8 years of age.
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall SpringElements of quality, philosophical foundation, respect, relationships, culturally sensitive care, diversity in group care, brain development, assessment and planning in a variety of settings for young children.
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringThis 3-credit intermediate field experience course includes assisting the mentor teacher in carrying out classroom routines and implementing developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote child development and learning through play for children birth to age 8. (Prerequisites: Accepted in Early Childhood Education Associate Degree Program or Early Childhood Assistant Teacher Technical Diploma; 10-307-160 ECE: Field Experience 1; 10-307-169 ECE: Infant Toddler Group Care and 10-307-151 ECE: Infant Toddler Development; Corequisite: 10-890-101 College 101)
Course Typically Offered: Fall SpringPrepares the student to develop sustainable literacy, analyze the interconnections among the physical and biological sciences and environmental systems, summarize the effects of sustainability on health and well-being, analyze connections among social, economic, and environmental systems, employ energy conservation strategies to reduce the use of fossil fuels, investigate alternative energy options, evaluate options to current waste disposal and recycling in the U.S., and analyze approaches used by your community to promote and implement sustainability. (Prerequisite: Next Gen Reading score greater/equal to 250; OR ACT Reading score greater/equal to 15; OR preparatory courses-contact an academic advisor at 920-498-5444)
Course Typically Offered: Summer Fall Spring