The Essentials Child Care Preservice Series offers providers important information on key child development and health & safety topics. This series meets Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS) professional development and the Federal Child Care Development Block Grant requirements.

Training Credit

• Essentials training will always count towards ongoing professional development hours the initial time it is taken
• 12 hours upon completion of series
• Renewal every 5 years

Training Audience

• Child Care Centers (CCC) and preschools
• Child Development Homes (CDH)
• Child Care Homes (CCH) accepting Child Care Assistance (CCA)

DHS Training Registry

• Iowa’s Child Care Provider Training Registry is an online tool where child care professionals can locate and enroll in DHS-approved professional development. The approved training opportunities (face-to-face or online) can be accessed by visiting the DHS Training Registry.

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Training Narrative

Module 1: Safety In Your Child Care Environment

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of basic safety practices in a child care program. Additionally providers will identify how to use active supervision, prevent poisoning and reduce the risk of drowning and strangulation. Review module 1 handout and resource page.

Module 2: Emergency Preparedness

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of emergency planning in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify the key components involved in making a plan and recommended intruder alert protocol. Review module 2 handout and resource page.

Module 3: Transportation in Child Care

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of transporting children safely in child care. Additionally, providers will identify proper car seat usage and Iowa Restraint Laws. Review module 3 handout and resource page.

Module 4: Prevention for Control of Infectious Diseases

This one and a half hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of the prevention of illness in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify the proper products for sanitation and disinfecting surfaces, as well as how to plan for exclusion of sick children. Review module 4 handout, resource page and glossary page.

Module 5: Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of the handling and storage of hazardous materials in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify common risks, such as poisoning, carbon monoxide and lead. Review module 5 handout and resource page.

Module 6: Medication in Child Care

This one and a half hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of handling medication. Review module 6 handout, resource page and glossary page.

Module 7: Managing Food Allergies

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of food allergies in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify the common food allergens and how to reduce the risk of a reaction. Review module 7 handout and resource page.

Module 8: Infant Safe Sleep

This one hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of proper infant sleep practices in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify key SIDS risk factors, as well as the proper use of sleep equipment. Review module 8 handout and resource page.

Module 9: Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome

This 30 minute lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of preventing shaken baby syndrome in a child care setting. Additionally, providers will identify common risk factors and soothing techniques. Review module 9 handout and resource page.

Module 10: Understanding Cultural Diversity

This 30 minute lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of understanding how various cultures effect child care programs. Additionally, providers will identify how to implement a cultural responsive curriculum. Review module 10 handout and resource page.

Module 11: Understanding Homelessness

This 30 minute lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the importance of how homelessness affects child care programs. Additionally, providers will identify how to meet the special needs of homeless children. Review module 11 handout and resource page.

Module 12: Child Development

This one and a half hour lesson will allow participants to gain an understanding of the basics of how a child grows and develops. Additionally, providers will identify how to effectively define important milestones of a child. Review module 12 handout and resource page. Ages and Stages resource is also available on this module.

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Online Essentials Preservice Series

The Essentials Preservice Series provides helpful information for creating safe and healthy early childhood environments.

• Free, online, self-paced course from ISU Extension and Outreach
• Participate online at any time, 24/7
• Choose to complete only one module or all modules in the entire series
• Complete the modules in any order
• Receive a professional development certificate for each module completed

Follow these steps to enroll:

• Register on the DHS Training Registry
• Search Trainings: Title: Essentials Child Care Preservice (leave all other fields blank)
• Select Enroll: Essentials Child Care Preservice (series) (leave city, date and time blank)
• Once registration is approved, a confirmation will be sent to with the link to the online class and directions on how to access it.

Need help?

• I-Learn ECE Help Desk: (515) 294-8754 (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. -  3 p.m.) or email ilearn-ece@iastate.edu
• Technical (Moodle™ and computer) questions: (515) 294-1725, (Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.)

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Child, Health, Safety, and Nutrition classes are offered through local colleges. For a list of Iowa Department of Human Services (DHS), Division of Adult, Children, and Family Services Approved Preservice/Orientation Training Organizations, click here and select:  Approved Preservice/Orientation for Child Care Providers