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Caregiver Qualifications, Training and Professional Development Requirements |
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| Types of Regulated Child Care in New York State |
Caregiver QualificationsCurrent qualifications for caregivers in child care programs of all modalities can be found in the OCFS NY state child care regulations. Training Required to Obtain GFDC Licensure/FDC Registration1. Health & Safety TrainingIn order to be licensed, you must complete a 15-hour Health and Safety course. The fee for the course varies depending on where you take it. The training is not currently available in Tompkins nor Cortland Counties but can be found offered regularly in neighboring counties. Find training times and register on the SUNY PDP site. Foundations in Health and Safety e-learning Foundations of Health & Safety is a 5-hour e-Learning course that must be taken within the first three (3) months of employment by all Assistants, Substitutes, Directors, Teachers, Assistant Teachers, Substitute Teachers and Substitute Assistant Teachers. Licensed-Exempt providers and volunteers who have the potential for regular and substantial contact with children are also required to take this course. A grandparent, great-grandparent, sibling (if living in a separate residence), aunt or uncle who provides care for ONLY a child(ren) related to them will NOT be required to complete this requirement. Find training times and register for Foundations of Health & Safety on the SUNY PDP site. Note: Individuals who completed 15 hour Health and Safety classroom training after August 1, 2016 do not need to take the e-learning course. 2. First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)All child day care programs must have at least one (1) staff person on who holds a valid certificate in First Aid and CPR on site during the program’s operating hours. First Aid and CPR certificates must be appropriate to the ages of the children in care and the certification must be on file and available for review during their working hours. Find dates, topics, times and registration for local opportunities on our training calendar. 3. Sexual Harassment TrainingEvery employer in New York State is required to provide employees with sexual harassment prevention training on an annual basis. Training videos are available from NY state. Additional Training RequirementsMedication Administration (MAT) Training (optional)OCFS regulations only allow child care providers to administer over-the-counter topical ointments, sunscreen and topically applied insect repellent (with parental consent) to children in their care. In order to administer oral and prescription medications, providers must be MAT certified. The MAT course can be taken in a classroom (8 hours) or by independent study (Online and 3-4 hours in person with a Certified Trainer). If submitted within 60 days of taking the course, you may be eligible to receive a partial rebate for the course fee. On-going Training RequirementsEach person responsible for developing, directing and supervising the daily activities and programs for children and each employee must meet minimum employment requirements and complete a minimum of thirty (30) hours of training every two years. Fifteen (15) hours of such training must be completed during the first six months of service. Training Topics
* Requirements are for staff in regulated child care centers, school age child care, group family child care and family child care. Head Start and Universal PreK have additional requirements. Finding TrainingChild Development Council TrainingThe Council offers trainings, conferences and SUNY Videoconferences for child care providers of all modalities and levels of experience. Suggestions from providers guide training opportunities which are designed to relay the most recent research along with ideas for practical application. Group trainings provide the opportunity to share information with and get support from others working with children. Find dates, topics, times and registration for local opportunities on our training calendar. Council staff are also available to talk with you about providing individualized trainings and 1:1 coaching tailored to meet your needs. Infant Toddler Training and Technical AssistanceThe Council’s Infant Toddler Specialist can offer support and professional development for infant-toddler staff in Tompkins and Cortland counties. State University of New York Professional Development Program (SUNY PDP)In addition to regular webcasts, SUNY PDP posts training opportunities that are approved are approved by OCFS and are eligible for tuition reimbursement through their Educational Incentive Program (EIP). To register for trainings and receive certificates of completion, each individual must create an account at: https://www.ecetp.pdp.albany.edu/mytraining/login.aspx. Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP)SUNY PDP also coordinates the Early Childhood Education and Training Program (ECETP) which offers several courses to child care providers in New York State at no cost to participants under the name of ECETP e-Learning. Other Remote TrainingOnly reviewed and approved courses count towards regulatory training requirements. Additional approved distance learning courses are posted on the OCFS Non-Credit Bearing Distance Learning Courses Listing. Aspire RegistryFind Certified Early Childhood Coaches and Professional Development opportunities on the Aspire Registry at https://www.nyworksforchildren.org/. Help Paying for TrainingEducational Incentive Program (EIP)The Educational Incentive Program (EIP) is a scholarship program that helps child care providers working in licensed programs in NY state pay for training and educational activities. Scholarship eligibility is based on current employment, the training and the training organization that are chosen, and the applicant’s household income. CSEA/VOICECSEA/VOICE offers scholarship for training opportunities and conference attendance to home-based child care providers. NY State Registered Apprenticeship If you are new to the field and would like to learn about training through apprenticeship, visit the toolkit page about NYS Registered Early Childhood Assistant Apprenticeships and Paths into the Early Childhood Profession. Professional Development RecordsIt is important that you keep track of all trainings you attend! Certificates awarded at the end of training sessions must be printed and a copy must be kept on file at the child care program. Licensors will review training records at a minimum when the program is initially licensed and for license renewal. Consider using the OCFS-4880 Individual Training Tracking Form and/or take a photograph of each certificate and keep your records mobile by using the Aspire Registry to track professional development. |
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| Building Access to Child Care Project (BACC) and Early Childhood Business Alliance (ECBA) | ||
| Early Childhood Career Development | ||
| NYS Child Care Licensing Process | ||
| Creating a Business Plan | ||
| Business Structure | ||
| Risk Management and Insurance | ||
| Financial Management and Record Keeping | ||
| Taxes | ||
| Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) | ||
| Marketing | ||
| Curriculum Planning | ||
| Program and Employment Records and Forms | ||
| Working with Families: Communication, Contracts and Help Paying for Child Care | ||
| Caregiver Qualifications and Training Requirements | ||
| Quality Improvement | ||
| Professional Organizations | ||
| Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs | ||
| Toolkit HOME |
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