Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students’ potential and ensuring success based on the student’s previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services).

Technology Requirements

Students must have access to a laptop, computer, or device, and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus.

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help, including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons

Caregiver Background Check

A Wisconsin caregiver background check and fingerprints are required in order to be placed at a field experience site. The program director and field experience instructor will provide directions on how to complete a background check and fingerprints from the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF). The fees related to the initial fingerprints are at the student's expense. A list of offenses that can affect the ability to gain placement can be found on the DCF website.

Physical Requirements

The physical can be conducted at a clinic of the student's preference.

Field Experience (Practicum) Requirements

Students have the option to register for an online or face-to-face section of the field experience course. Regardless of course format, students are required to attend their placement site 8 hours per week (typically two 4-hour mornings per week), in person. Placements are arranged by the instructor for Field Experiences 1 and 2. If you are currently working with children, you can complete up to two placements at your place of employment pending instructor and program director approval. CVTC Early Childhood Education is an accredited program by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). As an accredited program, we will ensure that you meet NAEYC requirements for field experiences (2 out of 3 of the age groups: Infants/Toddlers, Preschool, School Age (K-3) AND 2 out of 4 types of settings (Family Care/In-home, Center Care, Headstart/4K, Public School). 

Course Sequencing and Pre-Requisites

Child Care Services is a fall-only start program, and not all courses are offered each semester. Plan ahead and register for a course when it is available. 

Students may choose how many credits to take each semester; however, enrolling in fewer credits than recommended may delay program completion. Additionally, because each Field Experience is a prerequisite for the next, failing to complete one as scheduled may require waiting until it is next offered, often a year later, potentially delaying graduation.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to the program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Transfer Credit

Students planning to transfer to a university have the option to take 200-level courses that will count toward general education requirements in the four-year degree being pursued. While some of the 100-level general education courses listed on the program requirements may meet approval for transfer, the 200-level courses are more widely accepted for transfer. To determine what courses may transfer, utilize Transferology.com. Students should also contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. Students should maintain contact with the other institution, given that program requirements are subject to change.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student’s program to be eligible, although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Employment Requirement

Current CPR certification is not required for students to enroll in their program, however it is required for employment in a child care setting. CVTC offers Basic Life Support (BLS) Provider courses. In addition, students may contact the American Heart Association, the American Red Cross, or local hospitals/clinics to register for the course.

Advanced Placement

The Child Care Services Technical Diploma is the first year of the Early Childhood Education Associate Degree. Students who wish to continue into the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Associate Degree can do so by submitting a new application as ECE-Advanced Placement via cvtc.edu/apply.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to CVTC’s educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible. 

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Last Updated: March 9, 2026 @ 10:07 a.m.