Child Care Level 1

Education
Award
Career Pathway Certificate
Credits
Noncredit
Locations
Town Clock Business Center (Dubuque)
Time to Complete
4-6 Months
Student posing with a daycare child

Your fast track to a career in early education starts here.

If you are ready to be the spark that ignites a child’s love for learning, our Child Care Level 1 program is your perfect jumping-off point. You will master the art of "learning through play" by using assessment strategies to plan a curriculum that actually works for young learners. We will show you exactly how health, safety and nutrition shape a child’s motor, cognitive and emotional development so you can build a classroom where every kid thrives.

We know you are ready to get to work, so you can wrap up this program in six months or less. Along the way, you will snag certifications in pediatric CPR, first aid and bloodborne pathogens. Best of all, this program counts as an approved substitute for the Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) and federal "Essentials" orientation requirements—saving you time and extra steps. Once you are finished, you can jump straight into the workforce or keep the momentum going in our Level 2 or Early Childhood programs.

Enrollment Information Request Information

Paying for the Program

Tuition and Fees

$1,499*
* Approximate cost. Amount reflects the estimated tuition and student fees based on rates at the time of publication. These rates do not include additional expenses (books, tools, supplies, living expenses, licensures, remedial or pre-requisite coursework or partnership tuition and fees, etc.) related to your NICC education. Rates are subject to change.

Financial Aid & Tuition Assistance

There are many options available for tuition savings. Credit programs may have opportunities for Financial Aid eligibility, while non-credit programs have separate tuition savings available on a per-program basis.

Career Pathway Certificate

You may qualify to earn a Career Pathway Certificate at no cost if you meet all eligibility requirements.

Enrollment Process

Register and pay tuition now for the next class offering or Apply for Tuition Assistance.

  • For Tuition Assistance contact NICC Business and Community Solutions to complete the following:
    • Tuition Assistance Program Application
    • CASAS Assessment
    • Interview with NICC staff
  • View the Program Admission Checklist.

Transfer Information

Graduates of this Career Pathway Certificate program may enter the workforce or transfer course credit into the Early Childhood Education credit certificate program or the Early Childhood diploma program. For a listing of courses and how they transfer, visit the Credit for Prior Learning page and select "Credit for Northeast Iowa Community College Non-Credit Coursework" to see the "Non Credit to Credit Course Matrix."

Program Contacts

Krista Walsh-Weitz
Krista Weitz
Business and Community Solutions Program Developer
  • walsh-weitzk@nicc.edu
  • 563.562.3263, ext. 3139
  • Town Clock