Staff Qualifications and Required Training

The quality of a child care program depends on many factors. Some of the most important factors are staff education, experience, and ongoing training. Research has shown that trained caregivers are more likely to promote the physical and mental health, safety, and cognitive development of the children in their care.

State or territory child care licensing offices monitor licensed programs to ensure that staff and providers meet all training required by its state or territory’s child care licensing regulations.

• All states and territories set requirements for individuals who want to become staff in a licensed child care program or a family child care provider. These requirements may include a minimum age and required initial training or education.
• Each state and territory sets minimum education qualifications and training requirements for new program staff and family child care providers. These requirements are based on the type of care setting and ages of children served. Requirements may differ based on the position (teacher, lead teacher, director, family child care home provider, and so on).

Ongoing Health and Safety Training

To protect the health and safety of children, requires staff in child care programs to receive ongoing health and safety training. In addition, federal law mandates specific health and safety training for staff members who care for children receiving federal financial assistance.

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The federal requirements include the following health and safety training topics (which apply to adults caring for children in all licensed child care settings):

1. Infant and child first aid and CPR
2. Prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunizations
3. Safe sleep practices and prevention of sudden infant death syndrome
4. Prevention of shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child abuse and neglect
5. Recognition, reporting, and prevention of child abuse and neglect
6. Medication administration, consistent with standards for parental consent
7. Prevention of and response to emergencies caused by food and allergic reactions
8. Emergency preparedness and response for natural disasters and other events
9. Handling, storage, and disposal of hazardous materials
10. Indoor and outdoor safety, including protecting children from hazards, bodies of water, and traffic
11. Safety when transporting children, if applicable
12. Child development

Find more information on child care licensing requirements related to qualifications and ongoing training of child care staff by selecting your state or territory and reviewing the “Understanding and Finding Child Care Resources” page.