Training

Training Opportunities and Programs

The Southern Adirondack Child Care Network offers a range of training opportunities and programs with the goal of helping child care providers develop and/or improve child care practices through professional development, training, and technical assistance. Educational opportunities are open to:

  • Family & Group Family Child Care Providers
  • Day Care Center Staff
  • School-Age Child Care Program Staff
  • other organizations/staff that work with children

Training Calendar

Our newsletter is printed quarterly and includes a list of trainings on topics that meet the 9 NYSOCFS training guidelines.  View the training calendar.

Training Requirements

The New York State Child Day Care Regulations require providers to obtain appropriate training to maintain their license or registration.

The NYS Child Day Care Regulations have specific training requirements for child care providers. Providers and employees must take a minimum of 30 hours of training every two years. Each of the following topic areas must be addressed:

  1. Principles of childhood development, including the appropriate supervision of children, meeting the needs of children enrolled in the program with physical or emotional challenges and behavior management and discipline;
  2. Nutrition and health needs of children;
  3. Child day care program development;
  4. Safety and security procedures, including communication between parents and staff;
  5. Business record maintenance and management;
  6. Child abuse and maltreatment identification and prevention;
  7. Statutes and regulations pertaining to child day care; and
  8. Statutes and regulations pertaining to child abuse and maltreatment.
  9. Education & Prevention of shaken baby syndrome (school-age program staff are not required to take training in this topic area)
  10. ACEs- Adverse Childhood Experiences

Additional Training Requirements

  • Before becoming registered or licensed, family and group family child care providers must complete training approved by the NYS Office of Children & Family Services pertaining to the health and safety of children and must demonstrate basic competency with regard to health and safety standards. This refers to Health and Safety: Competencies for Becoming a Family or Group Family Day Care Provider
  • Each provider, assistant, alternate assistant, alternate provider, director or employee of a registered or licensed child care program must complete a minimum of fifteen (15) hours of training during the first six months of registration/licensure or during the person’s first six months of employment by the program.
  • Training requirements also apply to any volunteer who has the potential for regular and substantial contact with children in a day care program.

Training Details by Program Type

For specific details regarding each type of child care program visit the NYS Office of Children and Family Services website and read the training section of the regulations. These links will take you to the regulations.

View training registration, payment and refund policy

View our calendar of upcoming events and training opportunities.

Financial assistance to help pay for training may be available from the Educational Incentive Program (EIP).

Training and Professional Development Workshops and Conferences

The Child Care Network provides training and professional development workshops and conferences for providers, and networking and recognition opportunities, including:

Early Childhood Conference

The 2024 Early Childhood Conference will be taking place on Friday November 15th and Saturday November 16th, 2024 at the Fort William Henry Conference Center in Lake George, NY.

Spring Guest Lecture Series

The 2024 Spring Guest Lecture Series is starting Wednesday March 6th, 2024 from 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm. This will take place virtually every Wednesday for 6 weeks with the option to attend in person at our Glens Falls office on March 6 | March 13 | March 20 | March 27 | April 3 | April 10.

Child Development Associate (CDA) training program

View an overview of this National Credentialing Program (PDF) that focuses on the skills of early care and education professionals. A Child Development Associate is a person who completes the training program and the assessment process, and has been awarded the CDA Credential. Persons with CDA Credentials have demonstrated the ability to meet the specific needs of children, work with parents and other adults, and promote and nurture children’s social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth in a child development program. The 2023-2024 class is in progress and the next class will September 2024. Please contact Sue Kowaleski at 518-798-7972 or [email protected] for more information.

New York State Health and Safety Training Programs

A 15-hour competency-based course that is required for anyone wishing to open a family or group family child care program. The cost for the program is $250, which is reimbursable for those required to attend, after receipt of day care license or registration from New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

The next Dates for Health and Safety are March 25th, 26th and 27th, 2024.

The following classes will be planned for June of 2024.

Additional Information for Registration:

Please contact us for additional information, we are happy to answer any questions:

Patty Miller
Early Childhood Specialist
518-798-7972 ext. 211

Jorgey Wethington
Provider Services Coordinator
518-798-7972 ext. 209

Child Care Center Director and Staff Training

A 15-hour series designed to assist child care center staff in meeting their annual training requirements and improve the quality of care provided to children.  Topics covered include: health and safety, program development, guidance and discipline, nutrition, child abuse and neglect identification and prevention, observation and assessment and other topics developed to meet the New York State training guidelines. View Series Details

Monthly Training

Monthly training provided to family child care providers, child care center staff, and school-age program staff on a variety of topics that assists in meeting the New York State training requirements prepares staff and programs for Quality Stars NY and helps to improve the quality of care provided to children. Check the calendar page for current offerings.

SUNY Sponsored Videoconferences

The Child Care Network is the local facilitation site for SUNY Videoconferences. Classes are held at the Washington County Municipal Center, Building B. 2012 information will be posted as soon as it is available. Classes fill up quickly, so early online registration is recommended, as soon as opportunities are posted.

Medication Administration Training

A skill-based eight-hour training program, required by the Office of Children and Family Services to administer medication. Successful completion is the first step towards being authorized to administer medications, other than over the counter topical ointments.  View Training Details

On Line Training Options

Below is a sampling of OCFS on-line courses.

Free Online Course: Transportation

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free two-hour web based course transporting children in a child care setting. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements.

Free Online Course: Prevention of Lead Poisoning and Other Dangers to Children

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free 1 and a half hour web based course on Prevention of Lead Poisoning and Other Dangers to Children. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements.

Free Online Course: Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Promoting Safe Sleeping

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free one-hour web based course on Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Promoting Safe Sleeping. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements.

Free Online Course: Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS)

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free one-hour web based course on Preventing Shaken Baby Syndrome. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements on the education, diagnosis and prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and principles of childhood development during developmental stages.

Free Online Course: Managing Challenging Behavior: Birth to 18 Months

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free one and a half hour web based course on Managing Challenging Behavior: Birth to 18 Months. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements on the principles of childhood development, focusing on the developmental stages of the age groups for which the program provides care.

Free Online Course: Managing Challenging Behavior: 18 to 36 Months

The New York State Office of Children and Family Services and the Early Childhood Education and Training program are offering a free one-hour web based course on managing childhood behavior: 18 to 36 months. This course fulfills OCFS training requirements.

Contact Us

To obtain more information about training and professional development opportunities, please contact:

Sue Kowaleski
CDA Training Coordinator
Phone: 518-798-7972, ext 205
Toll-free 800-807-3224
Email [email protected]

Jorgey Wethington
Child Care Provider Services Coordinator
Phone: 518-798-7972, ext 209
Toll-free 800-807-3224
Email [email protected]

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