Career Outlook
Career Outlook: The demand for Early Childhood professionals continues to increase. The typical careers that are available after earning the certificate include:
Family Child Care Provider
Daycare Childcare Provider
Assistant teacher/helper
Program Overview
The Early Childhood Certificate Program prepares individuals to plan and implement developmentally appropriate programs in a variety of early childhood settings, including infant toddler programs, preschool programs, preschools and childcare centers, family child care homes, Head Start, and Early Head Start. Ojibwe culture, values, and language are integrated throughout the curriculum. This Early Childhood Education Certificate Program prepares students to meet the requirements for the CDA (Child Development Associate) License, with a focus on working with children from birth to age 8. The program is designed to provide foundational knowledge in child development, curriculum planning, and cultural responsiveness, emphasizing Ojibwe values and practices.
All courses including field experiences require a background check under the Caregiver Law §48.685 and 50.065 Stats. Students with certain legal convictions may not be able to work in the field of Education.
Program Outcomes
Program Outcomes:
Demonstrate understanding of how family structures, cultural values, community contexts, and Indigenous pedagogies influence children’s development and learning by incorporating these perspectives to create meaningful, culturally grounded learning experiences. (NAEYC Standard 1: Relationships)
Build practices that affirm the diverse identities and home languages of children and their families, including those rooted in Indigenous epistemologies and worldviews. (NAEYC Standard 2: Families and Community)
Develop learning environments that are physically and emotionally safe, culturally affirming by integrating indigenous and other culturally responsive practices to support the holistic development and well-being of all children. (NAEYC Standard 7: Physical Environment, Standard 6: Health)
Develop reciprocal partnerships with children, families, and colleagues that nurtures a sense of belonging, cooperation, and mutual respect across the classroom and broader community, especially indigenous communities (NAEYC Standard 1: Relationships; Standard 2: Families and Community).
Curriculum
Major