Early Childhood Education program earns national accreditation

Northeast Wisconsin Technical College has earned first-time accreditation for its Early Childhood Education (ECE) program from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), a leading organization dedicated to advancing high-quality early learning.

The accreditation, awarded by NAEYC's Commission on the Accreditation of Early Childhood Higher Education Programs during its spring 2026 meeting, recognizes NWTC's ECE Associate of Applied Science program for meeting rigorous national standards of quality.

While Wisconsin continues to face a shortage of qualified early childhood educators, this accreditation ensures that NWTC graduates enter the field with the highest level of preparation.

"This accreditation affirms the strength of our programs and our commitment to preparing highly skilled early childhood educators," said NWTC Provost Jennifer Flatt. "Our students graduate ready to support the growth and development of young learners across Northeast Wisconsin."

For faculty, the recognition reflects years of intentional program development and a deep connection to the needs of the region's children and families.

"This achievement speaks to the dedication of our faculty and the passion our students bring to this field every day," said Mary Beth Boettcher, NWTC ECE lead faculty and director. "We are preparing future educators who understand the importance of early learning and are equipped to make a meaningful impact in classrooms and communities from day one."

NAEYC accreditation is a voluntary, comprehensive process that ensures programs align with national professional standards and effectively prepare graduates for the early childhood workforce. To earn accreditation, programs must demonstrate that they:

• Meet NAEYC's Higher Education Accreditation Standards
• Provide intentional, high-quality learning experiences aligned to professional competencies
• Respond to the needs of students and the communities they serve
• Continuously assess and improve candidate performance

"Receiving national accreditation speaks volumes about the quality and professionalism of the program," said Hailey Young, an ECE student graduating in May. "It prepares us effectively for real world practice."

Early childhood education programs play a critical role in preparing educators to work in a wide range of settings, from childcare centers to preschool and early elementary classrooms. Through this accreditation, NWTC now joins a select group of 179 accredited programs across 34 states committed to excellence in early childhood educator preparation.

"Higher education programs are central to building a strong early childhood workforce," said Mary Harrill, NAEYC Higher Education senior director. "Through achieving NAEYC accreditation, programs demonstrate accountability to their students and the public by ensuring graduates are effective practitioners."

NWTC's ECE programs are designed to provide students with the knowledge, hands-on experience, and practical skills needed to support young children's learning and development during their most formative years.

"The program has taught me and shown me how to be the best teacher I can be. I am so grateful for NWTC and the experiences it gave me," said Young. Following graduation, she looks forward to pursuing an online bachelor's degree as she works toward one day becoming a first-grade teacher.