Support at Every Step for
Early Childhood Teachers
Support at every step! That’s what our congregations and schools have been requesting for their early childhood (EC) teachers.
We understand the challenges. Some EC teachers have full bachelor’s and even master’s degrees in early childhood education. Some have training in elementary education but not early childhood education. And others enter the field as adults with limited or no ECE training at all.
We want to help. The MLC Office of Continuing Education has designed options to help busy EC teachers at every level of professional and theological training and in every geographical location.
The options are tiered, so that each teacher is sure to find the entry and exit point that’s appropriate to their background and education level. And Tiers 2-4 are stackable—they build on each other so that the courses/certification completed at one level will apply to the next.
TIER 1: EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHING AND MINISTRY OVERVIEW
These free resources provide a basic introduction to developmentally
appropriate practice and ministry. Teachers will complete
25 modules on five topics: Ministry, Health and Safety, Working
with Children, Teaching, and Childhood Exceptions. Use the modules to onboard new staff or to lead out-of-the-box inservices for your entire staff—director, teachers, and aides—right at your school.
CLICK HERE for FREE Resources
TIER 2: CDA CREDENTIAL TRAINING
MLC provides these 120 hours of online instruction in the eight subject areas required for the CDA Credential, which is a nationally recognized initial qualification for early childhood teachers. EC teachers and aides can choose from two credentials: Center-Based Infant/Toddler or Center-Based Preschool. The training can be completed in one semester (three 1-credit courses at $340/credit) in preparation for the CDA exam. MLC will provide the two required textbooks ($74 value) and get you started in the CDA application process after you’ve completed the coursework.
CLICK HERE for MLC’s CDA Prep Series
TIER 3: EARLY CHILDHOOD TEACHER MINISTRY CERTIFICATION
MLC provides this ministry training required for called early childhood teachers in WELS schools. The program requires a five-week professional experience and 18 credits, 12 of which are theology and ministry credits that must be obtained from MLC. The 3 credits from Tier 2: CDA Credential Training can be applied to Ministry Certification.
Teachers with this ministry certification who also meet state requirements are eligible for divine calls issued locally by their congregation or school. Those with this certification and an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood are eligible for divine calls from other schools and congregations.
CLICK HERE for EC Teacher Ministry Certification
COMING SOON!
TIER 4: ASSOCIATE OF SCIENCE (AS) IN
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
MLC offers this degree program for individuals currently serving in early childhood education settings without an early childhood degree. The degree qualifies individuals to receive divine calls to WELS EC ministries. It may also meet minimum state qualifications for early childhood teachers, but it does not lead to a license.
All required theology and professional courses are available online, and at least 30 credits must be earned through MLC. The 18 credits from Tier 3: EC Teacher Ministry Certification can be applied to this degree. Teachers can also work with MLC to earn all required general education credits.
BEYOND TIER 4 . . .
Don’t forget! MLC also offers an on-campus bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education (ages 0-8) with licensure for traditional and nontraditional students and our online master’s degree in Educational Administration with an Early Childhood Director emphasis.
