Trainings
Child Care & Early Learning
METC offers courses for Licensed and Licensed-Exempt / Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Child Care providers. Check out the full listing of course descriptions and upcoming trainings below. Please note: For child care classes, we’re currently only offering trainings to the main family child care provider.
Find your specific learning path that aligns with your program goals and requirements by clicking each below.
Additionally, check out the IL Gateways Training Guide. This chart indicates the DCFS Training Requirements for Licensed Family Child Care Providers. You can show this to your DCFS representative to illustrate that you met the requested requirements. Or if you need to sign up for any of these classes please register below. Questions? Please email our Child Care team at: [email protected].
Additionally, check out the IL Gateways Training Guide. This chart indicates the DCFS Training Requirements for Licensed Family Child Care Providers. You can show this to your DCFS representative to illustrate that you met the requested requirements. Or if you need to sign up for any of these classes please register below. Questions? Please email our Child Care team at: [email protected].
Path A
Licensed-Exempt Programs / Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN)
Path B
Licensed-Exempt / Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Seeking DCFS Licensure
Path C
Already DCFS Licensed Seeking Growth
These classes are free for CCAP providers like you and are paid for by our Child Care Training Fund, which we won in our Union contract. For many METC classes, you can receive a stipend for your time and participation. Some of the trainings we offer may help you achieve a credential, earn a rate add-on, or meet licensing requirements.
Anchors in the Storm Series
A 3-day training for childcare providers and home daycare educators who want real, usable strategies for supporting children whose lives feel uncertain, disrupted, or unsafe. Many children arrive to care carrying more than backpacks.
Big Kids, Big Fun!
Bringing Books to Life 2 Part Session
Family child care providers will learn how to implement fun in reading for children in their program. You will learn how to create activities/lessons from books, engage children in story time, and how to build early learning literacy skills. Please note that this is a 2-session class.
CCAP Orientation: Navigating Tools and Resources
If you are a new or seasoned home child care provider, this new class is for you! This in-person and interactive training will guide you on how to navigate the child care assistance program from a home child care provider perspective. All providers are welcome: Licensed, Family, Friend and Neighbor Providers. SEIU and The Helen Miller…
Child Care Anxiety
Discover how to identify and support childhood anxiety in this training for early childcare providers, covering its manifestations across different ages, strategies for adapting routines and environments, and methods for documenting signs to collaborate with parents and community resources.
Child Development, Health, and Safety Basics
Explore child development, health, and safety from birth through early school age in this training, covering developmental patterns, nutrition, hygiene, disease prevention, emergency preparedness, and maintaining safe environments.
Children’s Secure Base: Understanding Attachment in Early Childhood
Understanding human attachment is crucial for child care providers to nurture the emotional well-being of the children in their care. When child care providers implement healthy attachment practices, children feel secure, supported, and ready to thrive. This engaging training will explore attachment theory, its influence across different cultures and family dynamics, and the various attachment…
Conflict Resolution for Preschool Children
This training will help childcare providers teach their children about conflict, feelings and emotions. Providers will help children identify big versus small problems. It will give providers various strategies to teach their children in order to problem solve and find solutions in order to resolve conflicts.
CPR/FA/AED Informational & Prep Session
In this 1.5-hour informational session, participants will receive instructions on taking the American Red Cross Blended CPR/FA/AED certification training.
Creating B.L.S.S: In Our Childcare Interactions
This training introduces the B.L.I.S.S. framework—Build, Listen, Invest, Share, and Strive—a practical and reflective approach designed to strengthen caregiver-child relationships, enhance family engagement, and foster professional growth among childcare providers.
Does This Child Have Autism?
ECE Credential Level 1 – Tier 1: Modules 1 – 2c
The ECE Credential Level 1 Training online is designed to introduce individuals to general child development, health and safety, school-age care, observation, environments for children, and the importance of relationships with children and their families.
ECE Credential Level 1 – Tier 2: Modules 3 – 6
ECE Credential Level 1 – Tier 3: Modules 7a – 9
Family Childcare and COVID Vaccine Informational Training
Family Childcare Behavioral Policy and Transition Planning
Financial Fundamentals for Child Care Businesses-Session 2
Financial Fundamentals for Child Care Business - Presentation and lecture on understanding on cash method vs accrual method, standard mileage vs actual expense method, standard meal allowance method vs actual food cost method paired with a step-by-step demonstration on applying their knowledge on determining time, space, and percentage of their home-based childcare business.
First Aid and CPR Certification (Adult / Pediatric)
Learn to recognize and respond to cardiac, breathing and first aid emergencies and to use an Automatic External Defibrillator.
Food Handler and Exam
Stay in compliance with food safety requirements while strengthening your knowledge of safe food practices. In this in-person session at the SEIU-METC building, child care providers will review key food safety guidelines with an instructor and prepare for the Food Handler certification exam.
Food Handler Informational & Test Prep
A 1.5-hour informational and test prep session for Servsafe Food Handler certification, covering online registration, class content, and evaluation, all at no cost, thanks to union-funded provider training.
From Isolation to Connection: Building Your Child Care Networking Skills
Home-based child care providers work in isolation, but they don’t have to navigate their careers alone. This hands-on, heart-centered training is all about changing that. Together, we’ll explore simple, real-life ways to connect with other child care educators and tap into local networks, resources, and opportunities. Through open conversation, creative activities, and practical tools, home-based…
Gateway ID Startup
Learn how to navigate the Gateways to Opportunities training system, designed for new providers to obtain a Gateway ID and understand training requirements and opportunities.
Getting them ready to use the toilet
In this training the participants will identify the factors that influence the approach of toileting training, the signs of toilet readiness and strategies to help them to reach this skill.
Giving Children Space to Think: Supporting Executive Functioning in Early Childhood
Young children are constantly learning how to think, focus, remember, and manage their behavior and that’s what executive functioning is all about. This training introduces child care providers to the concept of executive functioning in a relatable and applicable approach.
Helping Little Ones Shine: How to Build Self-Esteem That Last
In this interactive and impactful training child care providers will explore how everyday moments in a child care setting deeply influence a child’s sense of self-worth, confidence, and emotional resilience. Children who feel seen, valued, and capable are more likely to thrive academically, form healthy relationships, and navigate challenges with confidence.
Hierarchy of Phonological Awareness
Phonological awareness is the ability to recognize and manipulate the spoken parts of words, including syllables, onset–rime, and phonemes. Phonemic awareness is the ability to identify and manipulate individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words. Both are key skills in getting kids ready to read. This training will provide information about the different levels and participants…
Holding the Invisible Break: Foundations and Practice of Trauma-Informed Conversations About Family
Childcare providers are often the first consistent adults supporting children through distress, yet many receive limited training in how trauma shapes development or how to respond in real time while staying regulated themselves. This class is a two-day training that integrates foundational trauma-informed early childhood care with practical guidance for supporting children experiencing or at…
Holding the Invisible Break: Trauma-Informed Conversations About Family Separation for Childcare Providers
This class addresses the need for trauma-informed guidance for childcare providers as family separation becomes more common in the lives of children in Chicago, in surrounding communities, and across the nation. Participants will deepen their understanding of the emotional, relational, and developmental impacts of separation, and learn to identify early signs of distress in children…
How to Teach Black History All Year Round
Implementing Sign Language in Early Childhood Settings
Research shows that teaching sign language to young children improves cognitive, emotional, communication and focusing skills. The purpose of this training is to review all the benefits of teaching ASL (American Sign Language) and practice strategies to implement it in early childhood settings through music, books and games.
Infant and Toddler Development
Come join METC to learn about the exciting childhood age development of infants and toddlers. Do you know this is the sensitive period of the human life span for learning and brain development? We will offer researched based information on a child’s early stages of development and how to build activities, lessons, and routines for…
Introduction to Virtual Learning Platforms & Online Tools
Discover Zoom's unique features and compare it to other platforms in this 2.5-hour course, where you'll learn to enhance online learning through polls, breakout rooms, screen sharing, and more.
Lead in Water: Protecting Illinois Children
This training assists child care providers in understanding and complying with DCFS rules for testing drinking water for lead, including how to collect samples and access available resources.
Licensing Unlocked: Tools & Confidence for Today and the New Era of Licensing
This training will guide participants in understanding that compliance regulations are not stand alone but part of an interconnected system of licensing rules, policies, guidance's, and law. Participants will gain knowledge on how these elements work together and how this knowledge can drive growth, transformation, and improvement in day care programs.
Managing The Terrible Twos
Toddlers are explorers and curious like scientists! Come join METC’s new and free class to learn how to work with toddlers and understand their temperament. You will learn in depth the developmental stage of toddlers and create routines, activities, and solutions to help support toddlers in your program. This class is opened to all family…
Mandated Reporter Plus Implicit Bias
Marketing Strategies For Family Child Care
Learn effective strategies to market your childcare business and establish a unique brand in this Marketing training, focusing on using social media, websites, creating a parent persona, and building trust with parents.
Math with Infants and Toddlers
¿Cómo se enseñan las matemáticas a un niño que aún no habla o apenas está descubriendo su equilibrio? Las matemáticas en la primera infancia no son números en papel; son relaciones, posiciones y patrones sensoriales. Este taller teórico-práctico está diseñado para que maestras y agentes educativos transformen su práctica pedagógica, pasando de la "estimulación libre"…
Mindfulness Practice: Meditation
Explore mindfulness practice and meditation in this training, where you'll learn its history, benefits, and application in the classroom for children aged 2 and up, including techniques for staff and parents to help children and adults manage stress and enhance mental and physical health.
Mirror, Windows, and Sliding Doors
In a family childcare program, you are generally a child’s first circle outside the family—a bridge between their private world and the broader community. This 3-hour professional development training for Family Childcare Providers (FCCPs) integrates the research of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop (mirrors, windows, and sliding doors) and Zaretta Hammond (culturally responsive, brain-based practices) with…
Neurodiversity: The Neurodivergent Brain
Alright, let's dive into the fascinating world of neurodiversity and the neurodivergentbrain! We'll explore the concept of neurodiversity – the beautiful and natural variationin how our brains are wired. We'll then zoom in on the neurodivergent brain, focusingon conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more. You'll gain a deeper understandingof the unique strengths and challenges…
Observing and Documenting Children’s Behavior
Observing and Documenting Children’s Development
Obtaining A Unique Entity ID & Doing Business (DBA)-Session 3
Obtaining a Unique Entity ID Number & Doing Business As (DBA) - Presentation and lecture paired with a step-by-step demonstration and handout on how to apply for a Unique Entity ID Number & Assumed Business Name Certification.
Planning Activities for Family Childcare
Do you wonder how to implement activities for mixed age children in your family childcare program? Well look no further, METC is offering a free and brand-new class to help you plan activities for children in your care. You will review how to create activities to keep children engaged and learning while having fun!
Positive Communication Skills for Child Care Providers
Understand how different communication styles impact interpersonal relationships in this training, focusing on Direct, Spirited, Considerate, and Systematic styles, their strengths, challenges, and how awareness of these styles can enhance communication and reduce misunderstandings.
Power of Financial Management in Child Care-Session 1
Presentation and lecture providing step-by-step process with demonstration on accessing revenue from State of Illinois Comptroller website (CCAP Payments only) paired with hands-on activity (Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet with prefilled formulas). Q/A section that will answer questions related to business monthly, quarterly, bi-annual, and annual revenue and expenses. Understanding the importance of separating personal, business expenses,…
Preventable & Unexplained Tragedies (Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/ Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)/Safe Sleep)
This training discusses Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID), and Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and Safe Sleep. The training discusses traumatic brain injury; including behaviors that increase the risk of SIDS, safe sleep habits, licensing standards, and resources for further information. Second half of training discusses signs, symptoms, causes, triggers, prevention,…
Reading Fun While Building Literacy Skills
Smart Start Workforce Grants
Calling all Licensed Family Child Care Providers! The Smart Start Workforce Grants Application Round 1 is opening July 1, 2024 – July 31, 2024.
Strengthen and Grow Grant Training
This training will provide you with a detailed overview of how to apply for the Strengthen and Grow Child Care Grant.
Strengthening Business Practices
Teaching Black History to Promote Self-Esteem
The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 1
The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 2
The Eight Senses of the Child
You may be familiar with the five senses: smell, sight, hearing, touch, and taste. However, the fascinating world of sensory perception extends beyond these five to include eight distinct sensory systems. I warmly invite you to participate in this engaging workshop, where we will explore the intricacies of these senses. Together, we will delve into…
The Importance of Perseverance
This training provides an overview of persevering practices supportive of balancing school, home, and work life. Participants focus on the numerous benefits of perseverance, the concept of a Growth Mindset, and the decrease of stressors when the triad of boundaries exist for the life’s professionals manipulate.
The Importance of Play in Child’s Development (Spanish Only)
Play improves the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being of children and young people. Through play, children learn about the world and themselves. They also learn skills they need for study, work and relationships such as: confidence. This training will provide the benefits, characteristics and stages of play in early childhood.
The New Landscape of Connection: Elevating Social & Emotional Development in Children
Home-Based Child Care Educators play a vital role in nurturing children’s social and emotional growth. In the years following the COVID-19 pandemic, children of all ages are showing new patterns of behavior, emotional expression, and social interaction. In this interactive, research-based training, we’ll explore how social and emotional development has shifted for infants through school-aged,…
Understanding and Addressing Childhood Trauma
Childhood trauma can have a profound impact on a child's development, learning, and overall well-being. By understanding the effects of trauma and implementing trauma-informed strategies, educators can create a supportive and nurturing environment that promotes healing, resilience, and academic success.
Understanding the Affects of ACES in Children’s Development
Join this impactful training to understand and address Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and their effect on child development, featuring discussions, videos, and strategies to combat this national crisis through awareness and action.
Unleash Your Financial Potential-Session 4
Unleash Your Financial Potential - Presentation and lecture on Budgeting & Planning, Income & Expenses, Cash Flow Management, Financial Review and Adjustments, Contingency Funds and Long Term Sustainability.
Utilizing the ASQ-3 questionnaire to monitor children’s development
The purpose of this training is to identify the benefits of using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) to monitor children’s development and also to identify children who may exhibit signs of developmental delays. Participants will learn the administration, scoring and interpretation of this questionnaire. Also participants will review the referral process for a further…
What is the Montessori Method Part 2
The Montessori Method emphasizes the first teacher is the child’s environment. Maria Montessori observed children in their natural learning environments and identified through the prepared environment children can develop independency, self-confidence, opportunities for growth and learning, and self-regulation.
What is the Montessori Method?
Join us for an engaging workshop exploring the foundation of the Montessori Method—a child-centered approach that fosters independence, coordination, self-regulation, and a lifelong love of learning. Through hands-on activities and practical insights, you’ll learn how Montessori principles encourage self-directed learning, collaborative play, and thoughtful decision-making. We’ll dive into the core learning areas: practical life, sensorial…
Why do Toddlers Bite?
Join METC in learning the developmental stages of toddlerhood. We will review the reasons why toddlers bite and share healthy coping tools to support children who bite. Instructors will provide advice and tips to support our young children. This class is for all family child care providers. Please note that this class is only available…
Wired for Wonder: A Deep Dive into the Growing Brain Series
Working with Children with Different Behavior Styles
This training will provide information regarding typical and atypical social and emotional development in young children, internalized and externalized behaviors and the different temperament styles. Participants will be able to identify strategies to promote positive relationships, interactions and self regulation skills. The seven types of behavior disorders will be discussed.
Yoga and Mindfulness For Children
Come join METC’s new class to learn the benefits of practicing yoga and mindfulness for children.
Introduction to Virtual Learning Platforms & Online Tools
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Neurodiversity: The Neurodivergent Brain
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The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 2
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46278
The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 2
What is the Montessori Method Part 2
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Lead in Water: Protecting Illinois Children
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Introduction to Virtual Learning Platforms & Online Tools
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Positive Communication Skills for Child Care Providers
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ECE Credential Level 1 - Tier 1: Modules 1 - 2c
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Anchors in the Storm Series
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Power of Financial Management in Child Care-Session 1
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Financial Fundamentals for Child Care Businesses-Session 2
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The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 1
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46426
The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 1
Observing and Documenting Children's Development
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Mandated Reporter Plus Implicit Bias
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Obtaining A Unique Entity ID & Doing Business (DBA)-Session 3
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46531
Obtaining A Unique Entity ID & Doing Business (DBA)-Session 3
Unleash Your Financial Potential-Session 4
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Wired for Wonder: A Deep Dive into the Growing Brain Series
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How to Teach Black History All Year Round
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Anchors in the Storm Series
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Utilizing the ASQ-3 questionnaire to monitor children’s development
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46456
Utilizing the ASQ-3 questionnaire to monitor children’s development
Strengthening Business Practices
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ECE Credential Level 1 - Tier 2: Modules 3 - 6
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Preventable & Unexplained Tragedies (Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/ Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)/Safe Sleep)
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46463
Preventable & Unexplained Tragedies (Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)/Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)/ Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)/Safe Sleep)
Strengthening Business Practices
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Marketing Strategies For Family Child Care
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Does This Child Have Autism?
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From Isolation to Connection: Building Your Child Care Networking Skills
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46513
From Isolation to Connection: Building Your Child Care Networking Skills
Infant and Toddler Development
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The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 2
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46537
The Child Care Educator: Transforming Your Child Care Program-Part 2
Child Development, Health, and Safety Basics
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Holding the Invisible Break: Foundations and Practice of Trauma-Informed Conversations About Family
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46465
Holding the Invisible Break: Foundations and Practice of Trauma-Informed Conversations About Family
Lead in Water: Protecting Illinois Children
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What is the Montessori Method Part 2
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ECE Credential Level 1 - Tier 3: Modules 7a - 9
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From Isolation to Connection: Building Your Child Care Networking Skills
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46515
From Isolation to Connection: Building Your Child Care Networking Skills
Neurodiversity: The Neurodivergent Brain
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Neurodiversity: The Neurodivergent Brain
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Introduction to Virtual Learning Platforms & Online Tools
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CCAP Orientation: Navigating Tools and Resources
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CCAP Orientation: Navigating Tools and Resources
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Mirror, Windows, and Sliding Doors
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Creating B.L.S.S: In Our Childcare Interactions
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Reading Fun While Building Literacy Skills
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The Importance of Perseverance
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Bringing Books to Life 2 Part Session
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Bringing Books to Life 2 Part Session
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Yoga and Mindfulness For Children
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Understanding the Affects of ACES in Children's Development
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Additional Resources
After taking an ECE Credential course, I appreciated the input from the other participants. We formed a close learning community from the training event. A learned skill that I will implement in my program was to focus on higher direct engagement with the school age children and allowing for more independent activities.
Kenyatta D.
Child Care
Path A
Licensed-Exempt Programs / Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN)
- ECE Module 1-9 must be completed to earn Credential and receive an add-on of 5-15% for each CCAP child in your care. You will also need to complete a 1-hour Orientation for LEFCC Providers on ilearning.
After you have completed all modules and the on-line Orientation for LEFCC Providers, you can request an application from Pat Twymon by emailing your Credential (Gateways will send to you once completed) to [email protected] This applies to licensed-exempt providers only. - CPR & First Aid (every two years)
- Mandated Reporter w/Implicit Bias (every three years)
- Child Development Health & Safety Basics (CDHSB) Social Emotional and Mental Health Classes
- Behavioral Policy and Transitioning Planning
- Child Care Anxiety
- Child Development, Health, and Safety Basics
- Does this child have Autism?
- ECE Credential Level 1 – Tier 1: Modules 1 – 2c
- Infant and Toddler Development
- Managing the Terrible Twos
- Mandated Reporter w/Implicit Bias
- Mindfulness Practice: Meditation
- Observing & Documenting Children’s Development – Spanish
- Preventable and Unexplained Tragedies: (SBS/SIDS/SUID/Safe Sleep)
- SafeServe Preparation and Test (Food Handler and Exam)
- Social and Emotional Development: How it survives and grows in a new form
- The Importance of Perseverance
- Understanding the Affects of ACEs in Children’s Development
- Why do Toddlers Bite?
- Working with Children with Different Behavioral Styles
- Yoga and Mindfulness for Children
- Opportunity for ECACE Full Scholarship for ECE or CD Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees
- 6-Hours of Continuing Education Per Year for non-relative providers
- Please check out the IL Gateways Training Guide.
Path B
Licensed-Exempt / Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Seeking DCFS Licensure
- Opportunity to join an upcoming METC Registered Apprenticeship Program taking you from License-Exempt to DCFS Licensure
- CPR/First Aid (every two years)
- Mandated Reporter w/Implicit Bias (every three years)
- ECE Level 1 Credential – No add-on for licensed programs-CDHSB
- Child Development Associates Credential – Qualifies licensed programs to join Great Start Wage Supplement Scale. (Licensed-exempt can earn credential but will need to provide proof of 480 hours of experience. Only licensed programs can use this credential towards Great Start).
- SID/SUD/SBS & Safe Sleep (every three years)
- Lead In Water
- Opportunity for ECACE Full Scholarship for ECE or CD Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees
- 15 hours of Continuing Education Per Year
- Please check out the IL Gateways Training Guide.
Path C
Already DCFS Licensed Seeking Professional Growth
- CPR/First Aid, Mandated Reporter w/Implicit Bias, SID/SUDS/SBS/Safe Sleep, Welcoming Each & Every Child (&-hours), Trauma-Informed Practice for Child Care Providers or ACEs, Lead in Water, Child Development Health & Safety Basic or ECE Level 1-Tier 1 (Modules 1-3), Social Emotional and Mental Health Classes.
- Child Development Associates Credential – Qualifies licensed programs to join Great Start Wage Supplement Scale.
- Redleaf Family Child Care Curriculum
- ExceleRate Illinois Overview: ExceleRate Illinois Orientation for Licensed Family Child Care Providers
- NAFCC Accreditation
- Opportunity for ECACE Full Scholarship for ECE, the Gateways Scholarship Program or CD Associate or Bachelor’s Degrees
- 15 hours of Continuing Education Per Year
- Please check out the IL Gateways Training Guide.