Ensuring the highest standards of care for young children in early learning environments is paramount. In Washington State, this commitment is reflected in the licensing standards that mandate specific training for all child care providers. Whether you are just starting your career or are a seasoned professional, understanding these training requirements is crucial. This guide serves as your comprehensive resource to navigate the necessary steps, focusing particularly on accessible 10-hour online certification programs designed to meet the in-service training needs of alternate care providers and all early learning professionals.
Pre-Service Training: Getting Started
Before you can begin working directly with children in a licensed child care setting, there’s an initial pre-service step: completing a licensing orientation. This orientation provides a foundational understanding of the regulations and expectations within the Washington State early learning system.
Essential Training Requirements: Child Care Basics and Health & Safety
To be fully qualified and able to care for children unsupervised, providers must complete two core sets of trainings: Child Care Basics (CCB) and federally mandated Health and Safety trainings. These are typically required before or within 90 days of employment (WAC 110-300-0106). Let’s explore these in detail:
Child Care Basics (CCB)
Child Care Basics (CCB) is the fundamental training program designed to equip early learning providers with essential health and safety knowledge. It’s a critical component of meeting the state’s requirements for working in licensed early learning programs. Fortunately, there are multiple pathways to fulfill this requirement, including convenient online options.
DCYF Online CCB Training (No Cost)
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) offers a valuable, no-cost online Child Care Basics training program. This option provides accessible and comprehensive training from the convenience of your own computer.
How to Access the DCYF Online CCB Training:
- Visit the DCYF Training website at dcyftraining.com.
- In the “Catalog” section on the left, click on “Cohorts.”
- Under “Role,” check the “Licensed Child Care” box.
- Review the list of available training cohorts.
- Select a cohort that fits your schedule, noting the start and end dates in the title.
- Click the blue “Register” button to enroll.
- Once registered, you’ll find the training cohort listed under “In Progress.” Remember, modules become accessible on the cohort’s start date.
Alt: DCYF Training Site Cohorts Catalog: Screenshot of the DCYF training website showing the Cohorts catalog section, with options to filter by Role including Licensed Child Care, and a list of available training cohorts.
Full CCB Training (Online or In-Person)
Beyond the DCYF online option, you can also complete CCB training through state-approved trainers, either online or in person. To find a trainer and training sessions that suit your needs, use the “Find Trainings” feature within the MERIT system.
Recording Your CCB Training in MERIT:
- If you complete training with a state-approved trainer, they will typically record your completion in your MERIT account.
- If your training isn’t reflected in MERIT within 30 days, email [email protected] with a copy of your CCB certificate for assistance.
College Course Alternatives: ECED& 107 and ECED& 100
For those pursuing academic routes, completing specific college courses can also satisfy the CCB requirement. ECED& 107: Health, Safety, and Nutrition, and ECED& 100: Child Care Basics are both recognized by DCYF as alternatives to the standard CCB training. Use the Early Learning Career Planning Portal to locate institutions offering these courses near you.
Recording College Coursework in MERIT:
- To have your college coursework recognized in MERIT, you’ll need to submit an education application. Include supporting documents verifying course completion to [email protected].
- For detailed instructions on submitting education applications, refer to the “Education Verification” section within MERIT.
- If you previously applied for CCB credit for these courses before Fall 2019 and it wasn’t approved, contact [email protected].
Combining Early Childhood Education with DCYF Online Modules
Individuals with existing Early Childhood Education (ECE) credits or credentials may be eligible to meet the CCB requirement by combining their education with specific “Federal Health & Safety Training” modules available through DCYF. To qualify for this option, you need both eligible education credentials and verification of completion for all five Federal Health & Safety Training modules in your MERIT record.
Eligible education includes:
- 12 ECE or ECE/School-Age college quarter credits
- 13 Military Modules Certificates of Completion
- A current Child Development Associate (CDA) credential
- Montessori Credential/Endorsement (MACTE)
Recording this Option in MERIT:
(Further information on recording this option in MERIT would typically be provided here, likely involving an application process similar to the college coursework).
Head Start, ECEAP, and School District Partnerships
DCYF collaborates with Head Start, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP), and School Districts to recognize health and safety training provided within these programs. If you are part of these networks, consult your site supervisor to determine if your program offers recognized training that meets CCB requirements.
Recording Training from Partnerships in MERIT:
(Instructions for recording training from these partnerships in MERIT would be provided by the program or site supervisor).
Health & Safety Trainings
In addition to CCB, specific Health and Safety trainings are federally mandated and must be completed within 90 days of hire or before being left alone with children (WAC 110-300-0106). These trainings also require periodic renewal. Key areas include:
- Blood Borne Pathogens
- CPR and First Aid
- Food Handler Permit (if applicable, based on role)
- Safe Sleep (if applicable, based on age groups served)
These essential health and safety trainings are separate from the Child Care Basics curriculum.
Federal Health & Safety Modules (Topics Covered in CCB)
It’s important to note that within the CCB training, federally required health and safety topics are also addressed. If you complete CCB, you will have already fulfilled these federal topic requirements, which include:
- Recognizing and Reporting Abuse
- Emergency Preparedness
- Serving Children Experiencing Homelessness
- Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome (if applicable)
- Medication Management
Annual In-Service Training: 10 Hours of Continued Professional Development
Once an early learning provider has been employed for at least 12 cumulative months, they are required to complete 10 hours of in-service training annually (WAC 110-300-0107). This ongoing training ensures that providers stay current with best practices and continue to enhance their skills. This is where the concept of a “10-hour online certification program” becomes particularly relevant, as many in-service training options can be completed online and contribute towards this annual requirement.
- In-service training hours are tracked per calendar year (January – December).
- Up to five in-service training hours can be carried over to the next calendar year. Contact your licensor for details on this carry-over option, as it is not automatically tracked in MERIT.
- In-service training is also commonly referred to as “STARS hours” or “state-approved training.”
Options for Completing Your Annual 10-Hour In-Service Training
There are several flexible options to accrue your required 10 hours of annual in-service training, many of which can be accessed online:
State-Approved Training (Find via MERIT)
The most direct way to find state-approved in-service training is through the “Find Trainings” feature in MERIT. This tool allows you to search for in-person, self-paced, and online training opportunities that meet the state’s standards. Trainings found here are automatically recorded in MERIT by the trainer.
Alt: MERIT Find Training Search Page: Screenshot of the MERIT system’s Find Training page, showing search filters and options for locating state-approved training courses.
Non-State-Approved Training (Continuing Education Proposal)
If you engage in valuable learning experiences that are not state-approved, such as out-of-state conferences or specialized online courses, you can still request in-service training hours through a Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) application. This allows for flexibility in professional development.
College Coursework
Relevant college coursework directly related to the WA State Core Competencies for Early Care and Education or School-Age Professionals can also count towards your annual in-service training hours. One college quarter credit is equivalent to 10 in-service training hours. You can submit up to three courses per calendar year, completed within the last three years, via the “Coursework” section of an Education Application in MERIT.
Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL): A Structured 2-Year, 20-Hour Program
Enhancing Quality of Early Learning (EQEL) is a 20-hour training series specifically designed to meet in-service requirements. Completed over two years (10 hours per year), EQEL is particularly relevant to the 10-hour annual training focus. It is designed to build upon the knowledge gained in CCB and is often a requirement for roles such as assistant teachers, lead teachers, family home licensees, and program supervisors hired or promoted after August 1, 2019.
- EQEL fulfills annual in-service hours after CCB completion.
- Year 1 and Year 2 each consist of two 5-hour modules.
Accessing EQEL Training:
DCYF offers online, no-cost ‘Year 1’ EQEL training through their training site:
- Log in to the DCYF Training site at dcyftraining.com.
- Navigate to the “Cohorts” subtab under the “Catalog” section.
- Select “Licensed Child Care” under “Role.”
- Find and select the desired ‘Year 1’ EQEL training cohort.
- Register for the cohort.
- Access the modules once the cohort start date arrives.
‘Year 2’ EQEL training information and registration can also be found on the DCYF training site.
Alternative Pathways to Fulfilling EQEL Requirements
Certain educational achievements can serve as alternatives to completing the EQEL training series directly, including:
- WA ECE Short Certificate
- WA ECE State Certificate
- Associate degree in ECE or higher
- DCYF-recognized education/credential equivalents for Washington State ECE Short Certificate or higher (see the Equivalent Options for Education guide).
- Head Start, ECEAP, and school district partnerships (check with your program).
Leadership Practices Training (For Specific Roles)
For Family Home Licensees, Assistant Directors, Program Supervisors, and Center Directors, an additional 10 hours of Leadership Practices training is required every three years after completing EQEL. This training should focus on areas within the Washington State Core Competencies such as Program planning and development, and Professional development and leadership.
Essential Training Resources
Navigating the training landscape is made easier with key resources:
MERIT Workforce Registry
The MERIT Workforce Registry is the official system for early learning professionals in Washington State. All training completions are recorded in MERIT. It’s your central hub for tracking your professional development.
DCYF Training Site
The DCYF training site is your go-to platform for accessing online training modules, including required health and safety trainings and EQEL.
Finding and Completing Training: Multiple Avenues
- MERIT: Use the “Find Trainings” feature to locate state-approved trainings in various formats.
- DCYF Training Site: Explore the DCYF training site for online modules.
- Additional Organizations: Check training calendars of organizations contracted with DCYF for further options.
Utilizing the DCYF Training Site Effectively
Creating a DCYF Training Account:
- Go to the DCYF training site.
- Select “Sign Up.”
- Complete the required fields, including your STARS ID (essential) and ensuring your name matches your MERIT record.
- Create a password.
- “Proceed to Your Training” to access the catalog.
Managing Your Job Role and Program Type:
- Log in.
- Select “My Account.”
- Update your “Job Role” and “Program Type” as needed.
- “Submit” to save changes.
Troubleshooting Login Issues:
(The original document provides links and resources for login troubleshooting, which would be linked here).
Recording Completed Training:
Training completed on the DCYF site is automatically recorded in MERIT, provided your personal information matches in both systems. If you encounter issues with training not being recorded, contact [email protected].
Continuing Education Proposal (CEP) in Detail
The CEP application allows you to seek in-service training hours for learning experiences not automatically state-approved. This includes:
- In-person or online training from community organizations, webinars, or self-paced courses.
- Conferences (in-state or out-of-state, if not already state-approved).
To be eligible for CEP approval, the learning experience must:
- Have been completed within the last 12 months.
- Align with the Washington State Core Competencies for early care and education or school-age professionals.
- Have been applied to your work as a provider.
- Be at least one hour in duration.
CEP Application Steps:
- Gather Information (Step 1): Collect training descriptions (handouts, brochures, links) and proof of attendance (including training title, hours/credits, date, your name, and trainer/organization name).
- Complete the CEP Application in MERIT (Step 2):
- Login to MERIT.
- Access the Continuing Education Proposal application under “My Applications.”
- Review and complete each section (“Continuing Education Proposal,” “Personal Info,” “Employment,” and “Training Information”).
- Provide detailed responses (minimum 200 words each) in the “Training Information” section, explaining what you learned and how it relates to your work.
- Complete “Organization Details.”
- Review and submit.
- Submit Supporting Documents (Step 3): Email copies of your supporting documents to [email protected] within 30 days of application submission.
Training Reimbursement Opportunities
DCYF offers reimbursement for state-approved training costs (up to $250 per fiscal year, July 1 – June 30, while funding is available) for eligible professionals in licensed facilities.
Eligible Roles for Reimbursement:
(A detailed list of eligible roles in Child Care Centers, Family Home Child Care, and School-Age Programs is provided in the original document and would be listed here).
Training Reimbursement Application Steps:
- Verify MERIT Record (Step 1):
- Login to MERIT.
- Confirm state-approved training is listed in your “Professional Record” under “Annual Continuing Education Training.”
- Ensure your employment information is current and verified.
- Complete Reimbursement Application (Step 2):
- In MERIT, go to “My Applications” and select “Training Reimbursement.”
- Follow the steps to complete and submit.
- Verify SWV Number (Step 3): Ensure an active Statewide Vendor (SWV) number is listed in your MERIT record.
Conference/Special Event Approval for In-Service Hours
Organizations or individuals can apply to have conferences or special events pre-approved for in-service training hours.
Conference/Special Event Application Steps:
- Verify Training Eligibility (Step 1): Ensure the training aligns with the Washington State Core Competencies and has defined learning objectives with participant engagement.
- Gather Information (Step 2): Prepare a description of the event, target audience (brochure, flyer, agenda).
- Complete Application in MERIT (Step 3):
- Login to MERIT.
- Under “My Applications,” “Professional Development and Training,” select “Conference/Special Event Application.”
- Complete each section of the application.
- Review and submit.
- Submit Supporting Documents (Step 4): Email documents to [email protected] at least 21 days before the event.
Conclusion
Navigating the training requirements for child care providers in Washington State is essential for ensuring high-quality early learning environments. This guide highlights the pathways to meet both initial and ongoing training needs, with a focus on accessible online options and the importance of the annual 10-hour in-service training requirement. By utilizing the resources and programs outlined, including state-approved online training and the flexible Continuing Education Proposal process, alternate care providers and all early learning professionals can readily fulfill their professional development obligations and contribute to the well-being and growth of young children. Remember to leverage the MERIT system and DCYF training site as your primary tools for managing and accessing your training journey.
