Elkhorn Area School District staff propose high‑school 'Introduction to Child Care' course with industry credentials
May 27, 2026 | Elkhorn Area School District, School Districts, Wisconsin
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District staff introduced a proposal for a new high‑school course, "Introduction to Child Care," that would follow Child Development 1 and 2 and offer students a pathway to two industry‑recognized credentials. Sarah, speaking during the May 26 policy review session, said the course is designed to prepare students for entry‑level child care work and to earn the assistant child care teacher IRC and an infant‑and‑toddler certification.
Staff said the course would include 10 observation hours at Jackson Elementary plus additional observation or practicum hours at local childcare centers. Those additional observation hours will require students to provide their own transportation in a TA‑style arrangement; an initial $1,000 busing request was withdrawn after staff described the partnership with Jackson Elementary. Members estimated likely enrollment based on current pipeline: typically one section each of Child Development 1 and 2, roughly 15–30 students who might pursue the third course.
The district identified Stacia Noachek as the new Family and Consumer Education (FCE) teacher who will teach the course; staff said she recently served as a student teacher for the district and was then hired. Staff also said they will pursue transcripted credit through Gateway Technical College but that agreement is not finalized and remains under discussion.
Board members asked procedural questions about when the course would appear in the curriculum guide; staff said it will follow the regular course‑offering cycle and is not expected to be available until the 2027–28 school year, giving the new teacher planning time. The policy committee agreed to forward the proposal and recommended language to the full board for consideration.
Next steps: staff will continue work on the Gateway Technical College transcript agreement, finalize logistics for observation hours, and forward the course proposal to the full board for action or further discussion.
Staff said the course would include 10 observation hours at Jackson Elementary plus additional observation or practicum hours at local childcare centers. Those additional observation hours will require students to provide their own transportation in a TA‑style arrangement; an initial $1,000 busing request was withdrawn after staff described the partnership with Jackson Elementary. Members estimated likely enrollment based on current pipeline: typically one section each of Child Development 1 and 2, roughly 15–30 students who might pursue the third course.
The district identified Stacia Noachek as the new Family and Consumer Education (FCE) teacher who will teach the course; staff said she recently served as a student teacher for the district and was then hired. Staff also said they will pursue transcripted credit through Gateway Technical College but that agreement is not finalized and remains under discussion.
Board members asked procedural questions about when the course would appear in the curriculum guide; staff said it will follow the regular course‑offering cycle and is not expected to be available until the 2027–28 school year, giving the new teacher planning time. The policy committee agreed to forward the proposal and recommended language to the full board for consideration.
Next steps: staff will continue work on the Gateway Technical College transcript agreement, finalize logistics for observation hours, and forward the course proposal to the full board for action or further discussion.
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