High-Quality, Foundational Professional Development

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) has made a commitment to offer high-quality, foundational professional development opportunities to child care providers in various settings. The identified goals are to:

  • Increase provider professionalism
  • Develop a professionals’ passion for quality child care available for children
  • Ensure a healthy and safe environment for children
  • Help providers understand their influence on the quality of child care and its impact on society and children’s futures
  • Help providers understand the impact of the child care system on communities, families, employers and businesses
  • Motivate providers to apply principles of child development when planning curriculum rather than just doing activities
  • Continually strive for a quality child care environment for every child
  • Assist providers with strengthening business practices to support their career of choice

 

 

Access i-PoWeR How-To Videos

CCR&R complies with House File 802 by committing to offering voluntary inclusive, diverse and equitable professional development experiences delivered through conferences, workshops, series and classes. Those who choose to enroll and attend training can do so at their own discretion as they are not mandated. Additionally, participants are encouraged to share their experiences and ideals in a safe space through open discussion in a respectful and engaging manner while applying equity guiding principles to build inclusive practices within the child care setting. 

 


Training Announcements

Training Specialists from each of the five CCR&R regions, work to ensure that early childhood professionals receive multiple opportunities for continuing education credits. To view current training opportunities by region, click the links below.

Provider and Child

i-PoWeR Professional Workforce Registry

Iowa's Early Childhood and School Age Professional Workforce Registry (i-PoWeR) is a comprehensive registry where you can find and enroll in the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) approved professional development opportunities related to early childhood and school-age professionals. It will also maintain a record of your professional achievements. Approved training opportunities can be accessed by visiting i-PoWeR.

For assistance on creating an account, please contact your local Child Care Consultant or Training Specialist or email the i-PoWeR Help Desk. Additional tips and tricks that every provider should know can also be found on flyers here:  Home Providers or Center Staff & Managerial Roles. At the bottom of this training page, you will also find 1-2 minute "How To" video clips and longer webinars regarding i-PoWeR navigation.

Additional training approved by HHS can be accessed on the HHS website here.

Having trouble with your Moodle trainings transferring to your i-PoWeR account? Find solutions to try here.

 

CCR&R Foundational Trainings

CCR&R is funded to offer core training to assure that providers are meeting minimum requirements. As funding allows, we try to offer diverse and higher-level training. Please contact the Training Specialist in your area for a list of additional trainings that may be available. Our Child Care Consultants assist with Child Development Home (CDH) professional development record (Spanish) (Word) and can make referrals to partner programs that will help providers in following their plans for higher education. Child Care Centers can utilize this professional development record (fillable) for staff.

Training Name

Training Description

All Our Kin Virtual Business Series

This series is designed to support home child care providers with strategies to manage their business. Business topics covered include marketing, contracts, time-space percentage and recordkeeping.

Back to Sleep - Tummy to Play

This professional development opportunity presents research to understand SIDS, recommendations for safe sleep, the provider's role in the safe sleep environment and guidance for the importance of tummy time when infants are awake.

ChildNet 3.0

This series provides the foundational skills needed to operate a successful child care business. Upon series completion, providers will be eligible for ChildNet Certification and to obtain points in the Quality Rating System.

Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Family Child Care

This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model model to classroom-based settings for ages birth-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills.

Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Infant Toddler 2023

This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model model to classroom-based settings for ages 0-3. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills. 

Early Childhood (EC) Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Preschool 2023

This series teaches participants how to apply the Pyramid Model model to classroom-based settings for ages 3-5. The Pyramid Model is a framework of evidence-based practices that reduces challenging behavior and supports the development of children’s social and emotional skills. 

Emergency Preparedness for Child Care Programs
 

This training is designed to help child care providers be prepared for handling emergency situations that may affect their program and community. It will also provide the necessary tools and information to create an emergency plan that will meet Iowa law requirements.

Emergency Preparedness Resources

Resource page only - Iowa law requires child care providers to have a written emergency plan in place by October 1, 2016. Emergency plans must include procedures for 6 key areas. There are templates and tools available for child care providers to help meet your program's needs. You are not required to use any of the templates and tools offered, although the tools and templates will help you meet requirements in Iowa law.

Essentials Preservice Series

This series offers providers important information on ten key health and safety topics and was developed to meet Iowa Department of Human Services professional development requirements.

Environment Rating Scale

This series is a nationally recognized tool used to assess and improve the quality of center, school age, infant/toddler and family child care programs. Workshops offer step-by-step guidance for making helpful changes that can make a real difference in the work that is done with young children.

First Aid that includes management of a blocked airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Certification in infant and child first aid that includes management of a blocked airway and mouth-to-mouth resuscitation (check with your Child Care Consultant for training options in your area or see this the approved training sites here).

Foundations of Understanding Trauma

This basic orientation training will focus on behavior shaping through a trauma-informed lens. It will use the latest science from multiple fields to support the practice of staff engaged in helping children overcome challenges that are not of their own doing or choice. Changing the question of “what’s wrong with you” to “what happened to you?”

Iowa Early Learning Standards

This series addresses developmental areas of young children, which are based on research and theory in early care and education. It is a guide in understanding how children learn, as well as the importance of play, routine and relationships in regards to their development.

Medication Administration Skills Competency 2023-2027 edition

This course is designed to address the principles and skills needed to administer medications to children.

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporter Training

Providers are required to attend this Iowa-specific training to learn how to identify the signs of child abuse and the steps needed to report incidents.

NAPSACC

This nutrition and physical activity self-assessment is available to child care providers as a tool to set goals and implement healthy activities in their programs. Training and on-site consultation is provided.

PALS

The Physical Activity Learning Session (PALS) training is for early childhood providers to learn the best practices of physical activity for children birth to five.

Program for Infant/Toddler Care of Iowa

This training approach equates good care with training infant/toddler providers who are preparing themselves and the environment so that infants can learn.

Safe Sleep

Participants will increase their understanding of current Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) research models, American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) risk reduction recommendations, the importance of tummy time, the necessary components of a safe sleep policy and unresponsive infant drill in the child care environment.

School Age Matters (SAM)

School-age children have a specific set of developmental needs that are different from younger children. Attendees will learn the skills needed to effectively adapt their programs to accommodate this age group.

Universal Precautions

Providers will learn what can be done to protect the children in their care from the spread of germs and disease. Additionally, they will gain an understanding of the importance of post-exposure policies and procedures.

Content Areas for Training

Training topics may include:

  • Planning a safe, healthy learning environment, including nutrition (two hours required in the first year)
  • Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
  • Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development (includes guidance and discipline)
  • Strategies to establish productive relationships with families (includes communication skills and cross-cultural competence)
  • Strategies to manage an effective program operation (includes business practices)
  • Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
  • Observing and recording children’s behavior
  • Principles of growth and development
Making Food with Child

Training Credentials

Training must be approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or be conducted by an approved trainer. CCR&R is an approved training program with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). For a list of additional approved training entities, see the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Comm.


Training Certificates

A certificate of seat hours is issued at the end of each series or class and is creditable for 5 years, unless otherwise noted. These hours can be used towards regulatory hours as presented in the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Guidelines specific to provider type.

NOTE: One college credit hour in early childhood or elementary education for school age is the equivalent of 15 hours of training.


Tips for a Successful Training Experience!

  • All participants registered in CCR&R training will be provided with materials and the opportunity to participate in the class.
  • Any participant arriving late or leaving a training early will not receive training credit or a certificate for the training.
  • A child age 14-18, who meets the Department of Human Services (DHS) regulations as an employee/assistant in a child care program, may attend trainings but should be accompanied by an adult. All other children will not be allowed to attend as this is an adult learning environment not appropriate for children.
  • All class participants are expected to behave in a professional and courteous manner. CCR&R reserves the right to withhold a training certificate or ask a participant to leave the class if the participant does not behave in an appropriate manner.
  • Please sign-in as attendance is verified using the final roster for each class.
  • Trainings are a great opportunity for providers to network with other providers. Take time to share ideas and build community together.

Online Training Opportunities

Various approved online training opportunities are available for flexibility. Group and self-study options are credible, and a fee may be associated with each one. Individual trainings can be accessed on the HHS Training Registry or by clicking the appropriate listings. CCR&R also offers many online trainings, they are posted in our NEWS section or contact your Training Specialist for options.

For additional trainings approved by the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), click here

computer screen

Early Childhood Iowa Career Pathways

I want to...explore my career options in early childhood.

Early Childhood Iowa has a new look and way to navigate the early childhood care and education career pathway to help the workforce learn about and to connect with training and higher-education options to develop a dynamic career in early childhood. Explore the website to learn more about roles in early childhood and the educational paths associated with these roles. This interactive website allows you to explore where you are today, next steps in your learning journey and the option to develop a plan. If you prefer documents at-a-glance, explore these resources.

  • Early Childhood Educator path: whether you serve in a teaching role or program administrator role – gain access to provide your current level of training or education, whether considering entering the field, just entering the field or currently employed within early childhood; discover opportunities to advance within early care and education; and develop a personal professional development plan and submit to i-PoWeR, the Iowa Professional Workforce Registry system.
  • Family Support Professional path: gain access to The Institute for the Advancement of Family Support Professionals. The Institute offers family support professionals the opportunity to learn new skills and to grow a career. Through engaging, online modules and a personalized learning map feature, professionals take charge of personal growth and advancement. Plans for the Early Childhood Iowa Career Pathways website include potential development of a career path specific to family support professionals.
  • Health, Mental Health, Nutrition path: gain access to information regarding the Infant Mental Health Endorsement®. Plans for the Early Childhood Iowa Career Pathways website include a career path similar to the format used for the Early Childhood Educator paths.

Access additional resources at Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) Support for the Early Childhood Workforce – whether you currently work in the early childhood field as a child care provider; licensed preschool teacher; family support professional; or have a job where you work with young children and families in an early learning, care or family support role – these resources provide several professional development connections. 


Child Development Associate National Credential

The Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™ is a nationally recognized credential earned by those working in the early care and education field. The CDA credential is based on a core set of competency standards and includes an assessment process by the Council for Professional Recognition.

The CDA credential, a recognized part of child care regulations in Iowa and across the country, is a way to earn points on Iowa's Quality Rating System (QRS) and is part of achieving some accreditation standards. CDA credentials have been awarded around the country since 1971 and over 300,000 credentials have been granted. All CCR&R trainings correspond with the 8 CDA content areas listed below:

1) Planning a safe and healthy learning environment
2) Advancing children's physical and intellectual development
3) Supporting children's social and emotional development
4) Building productive relationships with families
5) Managing an effective program operation
6) Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
7) Observing and recording children’s behavior
8) Understanding principles of child development and learning

For more information how to achieve your CDA, visit our CDA webpage here.


T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA

T.E.A.C.H. IOWA (Teacher Education and Compensation Helps) is a comprehensive scholarship program that provides the early childhood workforce access to educational opportunities and is helping establish a well-qualified, fairly compensated and stable workforce for our children. You can access the T.E.A.C.H. IOWA booklet here.

Early child care and education providers who may be eligible include those who:

  • Work in a regulated preschool, child care center, or home program for at least 30 hours per week (or all the hours your preschool offers programming with a 20-hour minimum)
  • Have worked with children birth to age 5 in the current program for at least 3 months (6 months for bachelor scholarships)
  • Are working toward an early childhood degree, CDA Credential™ (or renewal), endorsement, or teacher licensure renewal at an Iowa college
  • Have the support of your employer (if applicable).
  • Demonstrate participation in or progress towards a quality initiative such as QRS, QPPS, Head Start, or NAEYC/NAFCC accreditation.

For more information on the T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® IOWA program or to apply, visit Iowa AEYC.

with child on computer

Establishing a well-qualified workforce for our children


i-PoWeR How-To Video Clips

*We do not recommend using Internet Explorer with i-PoWeR. The systems are not compatible.

1. Creating a Username and Password
2. Completing Your Profile
3a. Linking a Role as a Home Provider
3b. Linking a Role as a Director
3c. Linking a Role as a Center Employee
3d. Linking a Role as a DE Program
3e. Waiting to be Linked to a Role - How to Enroll in Training
4. Searching for Training and Enrolling
4b. Searching for Self-Guided Online Training without Date/Time
5. Managing "My Enrollment"
Finding and Printing Your Professional Development Record
Center Mgmt - Approving Role Requests
Center Mgmt - Adding & Removing Employees
Center Mgmt - Batch Enrollment
Viewing Your Facility Reports
Uploading Profile Qualifications
Uploading Professional Development & Training Certificates to a Profile
Accessing Muliple Roles
Managing Facility Details
Adding Facility Classrooms and Accreditation

CCR&R Instructor Resources

Statewide Training Policies and Procedures Handbook

  • Appendix A - Instructor Application
  • Appendix B - Instructor Agreement
  • Appendix C - Facilitator Agreement
  • Appendix D - Instructor Observation
  • Appendix E - Instructor Self-Assessment (Word template)
  • Appendix F - Instructor Approval Letter (sample only)
  • Appendix G - Request for Child Care Training Approval Application Instructions
  • Appendix H - Child Care Training Approval Application
  • Appendix I - Training Instructional Plan and Content Outline
  • Appendix J - Training Approval Application Score Sheet
  • Appendix K - Symposium Presenter and Workshop Proposal

Request for Child Care Training Approval from the Department of Health and Human Services

Go to CCR&R Approved Instructors - Training Materials

 

 

i-PoWeR Webinars - The Basics, Creating a Profile, Managing Staff