Early Childhood Education Overview
CVTC’s Early Childhood Education program allows you to complete your education in two years and begin a professional career. Earning a two-year associate degree will prepare you for working with young children from birth to grade three. Early childhood educators play an important role in child development by attending to children’s needs and organizing activities that stimulate physical, emotional, intellectual, and social growth. In addition, early childhood professionals supervise assistant childcare teachers, maintain state licensing requirements, and provide lead instruction within the classroom.
In the early childhood classes, you will learn child development, classroom management, how to work with children with varying abilities, and curriculum planning. Your education will also include learning how to plan and implement learning activities, work cooperatively with parents, and create a safe environment for young children.
This program has an advanced placement entry option. Advanced placement is an opportunity for graduates of a related program to further their education. Learn more about advanced placement for this program.
*Please Note: This program includes four in-person field experiences, each eight hours/week.
Check Out WI Registry Credentials
Advance your career in early education with a Wisconsin Registry Credential in Family Child Care. This flexible online class will teach you practical skills, help you stay current with best practices, and prepare you for the Wisconsin Registry Commission. Learn more about these Wisconsin Registry Credentials.
Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning.
Explore This Program
Just the Facts
Early Childhood Education
60 Credit Associate Degree
Program Length
Two Years
Delivery Method
Face-to-Face, Online
Program Location
Eau Claire, Online
Start Months
August
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
Term 1
$ 2,476
Term 2
$ 2,469
Term 3
$ 2,482
Term 4
$ 2,476
Books
$ 318
What are estimated program costs? Estimated Total: $10,221
Career Opportunities
Assistant Teacher
Early Childhood Teacher
Infant Teacher
Special Education Assistant
Special Education Paraeducator
Special Education Paraprofessional
Graduate Employers
Chippewa Falls School District
Eau Claire Area School District
Firehouse Friends
Granton Community Childcare Center
Sunshine Learning Center
Tiffany Creek Elementary
Program Outcomes
CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking several questions related to employment. Here are the program outcomes and job data.
// Program Scorecard$29K Yearly Salary
Our recent Early Childhood Education graduates reported an average starting salary of $29,358.
80% Employed
80% of our recent Early Childhood Education graduates got a job in the industry.
94 Regional Jobs
There are 94 job openings in the CVTC district for the Early Childhood Education industry.
Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions
Should you choose to continue your education after you leave CVTC, we have agreements in place with several institutions to ensure an easy transfer.
Program Courses
These are a few of the courses you will take in this program. Courses and the recommended sequence change from year to year; once you are enrolled in a program at CVTC you will be given a recommended course sequence that outlines what courses you should take and the order in which to take them.
You may search for available courses. If you are ever unsure of what courses to take, talk to your academic advisor. If you are looking for course information for previous years, check out our past catalogs.
Here are a few of the courses you can take in the Early Childhood Education program.
Sample Courses
Guiding Child Behavior
This course examines positive strategies to guide children's behavior in the early childhood education setting.
Social Studies, Art, Music & Movement
This course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific integrated content areas of social studies, art, music, & movement (SSAMM).
Children with Differing Abilities
The course focuses on the child with differing abilities in an early childhood education setting.
Request More Information
Please provide your contact information and an Admissions Advisor will get back to you ASAP with more information about this program.
We will never share or sell your information outside of CVTC. We may, on occasion, contact you regarding relevant services, events, and materials. You may opt out at any time. View our privacy policy to understand how we collect and use your information.
Earn Credentials Along the Way
Career Pathways What is a career pathway?
Career Pathways are a clear, manageable way to access education that provides employer-recognized, stackable credentials tied to specific jobs, education, and career progression. Career Pathways are beneficial to high school students and teachers, parents, adult students, and employers.
Technical Diplomas
Associate Degree
Your future is waiting…Are you ready to get started?
Apply NowStudent Testimonial
Working with children has become my passion. I am so interested in everything we do in the program. It’s easy to learn, because I so want to learn it. It’s a lot of fun, and hands-on too. We make a lot of teacher-made materials that we can use.
Hannah
Early Childhood Education Graduate
Related Programs & Certificates
Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
Degrees & Diplomas
Child Care Services, Technical Diploma
Foundations of Teacher Education, Associate Degree
Library & Information Services, Associate Degree
Apprenticeships
Continue Your Learning
CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.
// Explore Continuing Ed OpportunitiesUnsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.
A Program You Can Trust
Program Accreditation
The A.A.S. Early Childhood Education Associate Degree at Chippewa Valley Technical College is accredited by the Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, naeyc.org. The current accreditation term runs from 2018 through 2025. Read more accreditation information.
Additional Admissions Resources
Admission Requirements
Each program requires specific requirements a student must meet to be considered for admissions to this program.
// View Admission RequirementsAdvanced Placement
This program has an advanced placement option. Eligibility for advanced placement requires students to meet additional requirements.
// View AP Admission RequirementsAdvising Tips
We have compiled helpful tips and general information for students in this program.
// View Advising Tips