Infant/Toddler Professional Credential
As a child care provider for infants and toddlers, you are entrusted with caring for the sum total of a mom and dad's hopes and dreams for the future. How can you demonstrate to your customers, these parents, your understanding of the magnitude of the responsibility you undertake as a childcare provider for infants and toddlers? How can you be sure the care you are offering in your center is cutting edge and validated by the most recent information on the group care of infants and toddlers? Can you inspire confidence in parents in your own professionalism without availing yourself of every opportunity for quality professional development in this changing field?
In partnership with The Registry and TEACH, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Office of Continuing Education (UWP-OCE) is offering the Wisconsin Infant/Toddler Professional Credential to daycare providers throughout the State of Wisconsin utilizing the unique and successful distance education that has proven so successful, and popular, in the Administrators Credential program.
Infant/Toddler Credential Overview
To earn the Credential for Infant/Toddler, you must complete four, three credit classes. These classes are taken for undergraduate college credit. You will NOT have to come to UWP to complete these classes. Your "face-to-face" classes are taught via fiber optic technology to a high school, university, or vocational college near your home. The online component is completed at your home on your own schedule. You should earn your certificate in 12 months.
Requirements For Program Admission
To be admitted into the program for college credit, you must have graduated from an accredited high school or received a GED. Previous college experience is NOT required. You will be admitted to UW-Platteville as a special student. You must be willing to make an 12-month commitment to complete the program with your cohort, but we realize that "life happens" to adult students. Each student seeking admission into the credential program will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Financial Aid
As a childcare professional, you have access to what is arguably the best scholarship program available in the State of Wisconsin. T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin has funding available for Wisconsin residents seeking the Wisconsin Professional Credential for Infants/Toddlers who are either employees of a childcare provider or a Child Care Administrator/Owner. This includes FAMILY childcare providers. The scholarship covers most university fees and tuition. Once approved by T.E.A.C.H., money will be encumbered in your name for two years to complete the entire credential. Each student receiving aid must agree to complete an additional year of employment at the sponsoring center. Every student is individually reviewed by T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood Wisconsin. Call T.E.A.C.H. (800-783-9322, ext. 7240) for scholarship information and a T.E.A.C.H. application. Current UWP tuition is $695 per each 3-credit class. Please apply now for your scholarship.
The Program
What will you study? Each of the 4, 3-credit classes is outlined below. Each three-credit class consists of 45 instructional hours. Each class offers instruction online and on three Saturdays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, at a high school as close to your home as possible.
The syllabus for each class can be found here.
Infant/Toddler Development - This class is an introduction to the development, care, and education of children 0-3. It includes principles of care giving, developmentally appropriate practice, diversity issues, curriculum, guidance, observation, and assessment. Both typical and atypical development is examined.
Next Offered: Feb 9, March 1, March 29, 2008
Group Care for Infants & Toddlers - The Group Care course focuses on caring for infants and toddlers in group settings, both center-based and family child care. It covers program quality, philosophy, structure, environments, health and safety, developmentally appropriate practice and inclusion/diversity issues.
Next Offered: April 19, May 17, June 14, 2008
Family and Community Relationships - This course focuses on partnerships with parents and collaboration with the community. Topics covered include parent education, involvement, and inclusion as well as such issues as public policy, advocacy, community resources, and professionalism.
Next Offered: Aug 23, Sept 13, Oct 11, 2008
Infant/Toddler Capstone - The capstone is the last course all students take prior to completing the Infant/Toddler Credential. The intent is to provide the student with the opportunity to synthesize the information from the first three courses and demonstrate mastery of the competencies listed in those courses through the completion of a portfolio.
Next Offered: Nov. 8, Meeting for Commission on January 17, 2009
Please Act
Don't delay. Make sure your center is the best that it can be. For the children, pick up the phone right now and call T.E.A.C.H. (800-783-9322, ext. 7240) for scholarship information and a T.E.A.C.H. application. Then, either call UW- Platteville, Office of Continuing Education at 888-281-9472 or email morganr@uwplatt.edu asking that a class registration form be emailed to you. Don't delay, call NOW.