The Preschool Credential was developed with courses from the Wisconsin Technical College System Statewide Curriculum for the Associate Degree in Early Childhood Education.
Those who will benefit from this training include preschool teachers, teacher’s assistants, program directors and administrators from full day and half day early care and education programs including: child care centers, family child care homes, Head Start, Pre-Kindergarten, early intervention programs and preschool or nursery schools.
During the initial implementation of this credential, courses that have been identified by each campus as meeting the statewide curriculum competencies will be counted toward the credential. The courses that are approved as meeting the guidelines of the credential and the statewide curriculum must have been taken since 2000.
It is recommended that the student first enroll in Foundations of Early Childhood Education followed by Child Development. The Preschool Capstone will be taken last. Other than this suggested order, there are no prerequisites for the other credential courses.
10-307-148 Foundations of Early Childhood Education
This 3-credit course introduces you to the early childhood profession. Course competencies include: integration of strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; investigate the history of early childhood education; summarize types of early childhood education settings; identify the components of a quality early childhood education program; summarize responsibilities of early childhood education professionals; explore early childhood curriculum models.
10-307-179 Child Development
The 3-credit course examines child development within the context of the early childhood education setting. Course competencies include: analyze social, cultural, and economic influences on child development; summarize child development theories; analyze development of children age three through age eight; summarize the methods and designs of child development research; analyze the role of heredity and the environment.
10-307-167 Health, Safety, and Nutrition
This 3-credit course examines the topics of health, safety, and nutrition within the context of the early childhood educational setting. Course competencies include: integration of strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; follow governmental regulations and professional standards as they apply to health, safety, and nutrition; provide a safe early childhood program; provide a healthy early childhood program; provide a nutritionally sound early childhood program; adhere to child abuse and neglect mandates; apply Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) risk reduction strategies; incorporate health, safety, and nutrition concepts into the children's curriculum.
10-307-188 Guiding Children’s Behavior
This 3-credit course examines positive strategies to guide children's behavior in the early childhood education setting. Course competencies include: integration of strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; summarize early childhood guidance principles; analyze factors that affect the behavior of children; practice positive guidance strategies; develop guidance strategies to meet individual needs; create a guidance philosophy.
10-307-178 Art, Music and Language Arts
This 3-credit course will focus on beginning level curriculum development in the specific content areas of art, music, and language arts. Course competencies include: integration of strategies that support diversity and anti-bias perspectives; examine the critical role of play; establish a developmentally appropriate environment; develop activity plans that promote child development and learning; analyze care-giving routines as curriculum; create developmentally appropriate language, literature, and literacy activities; create developmentally appropriate art activities; create developmentally appropriate music and movement activities.
10-307-000 Preschool Capstone
The capstone is the last course all students take prior to completing the Preschool Credential. The intent of this capstone course is to cover and revisit some important themes from the prior five courses. The student will synthesize the information and demonstrate mastery of the competencies through the completion of a portfolio.
Additional Information
For Students
- Portfolio Preparation Guide
Each student will complete a portfolio which is presented at the commission. The Portfolio Preparation Guide provides information to complete the final portfolio. The student will receive support from their instructor during the Capstone course. (click to download the Preschool Portfolio Preparation Guide)
- Portfolio Assessment Form
The commissioner will use this form to assess each portfolio and assure that it meets the requirements for completion of the credential. (click to download the Preschool Portfolio Assessment Form)
- Student Request for a Commission
Each student will complete and submit this form to The Registry prior to the Commission. The form includes detailed instructions. (click to download the Student Request for a Commission)
- Location of Credential Courses
Select Search for Training then choose Credentials for currently scheduled course information.
- Link to Registry Training Search tools
This site provides a list of available coursework, training, and workshops, trained instructors and campus contact information. (Click to search for training)
For Instructors
- Curriculum and Instructor Guide
The Registry encourages instructors to attend a Credential Training in order to receive the credential materials.
- Instructor Request for a Commission
Each Preschool Capstone instructor may request a commission for his or her class. Instructors may want to schedule this during the last class meeting or on another date. (click to download the Instructor Request for a Commission)
- Instructor Training
The Registry offers training each year. The training usually occurs in January. Other trainings are scheduled as needed or requested. (Go to Search for Training for details on the credential instructor training)
- Posting Courses on The Registry
Each instructor should be sure that his/her courses are posted on The Regisry training search tools. Students use this valuable search tool to locate courses they need to meet professional development goals.
(click here for additional information about how to register and post your training on The Registry)