Training

Welcome to the series designed to help you build the best foundation for your child. If you are just joining us, you may want to start here.

I recently stumbled across an interesting video.

The video points out the how there are almost no requirements for training in order to work in or start a childcare.

It is scary how little training is required.

Time and time again, studies have shown that additional training is one of the best indicators of quality programming in child care.

So, you should make sure that the program you are looking at offers training for the staff.

Add that to your list of questions now.

Does the program you are looking at offer training?

Unfortunately, a simple “yes” or “no” will not be enough.

The licensing office will have training requirements for every licensed facility.

(In the state of Texas, there are listed, registered, and licensed facilities – listed facilities are NOT required to have additional training.)

However, there is very little done to monitor the type of training received.

I am a super huge fan of NAEYC.

Personally, I believe anyone with an NAEYC accreditation is doing a good job.

But, usually, those programs are pricey.

So, when you are on your tour of the program and you are checking to make sure the place is really clean, ask about the training that is done with the program.

Ask what kind of training they do.

Who does the training? (a local college/university? a former teacher? a corporation?)

Ask what information is covered in the trainings.

Ask how often the program offers training to the teachers.

Ask if the teachers are required to attend the trainings.

More than likely, you will know if the program is really and truly interested in the welfare of the children based on the responses you receive.

If upcoming trainings are about discipline, more than likely discipline is something the program struggles with. (Unless it is a corporate policy, and you can always ask.)

If upcoming trainings are about development, more than likely the program and/or teachers are interested in learning more about how children develop.

I would love to have feedback from the responses you get when you ask!

The next question you should be asking in the facility:

How will my child do in the program?

I will delve into that one here.

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Tags: child care, daycare, early childhood, Education