First Year Family Child Care Provider Course (18 Hour) (2024)

Topic outline

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  General

  
  

  This self paced 18 Hour course is required by MSDE for all  licensed Maryland family child care provider educators within their first year. This course meets the requirement to receive the 18 Hour training certificate. The core of knowledge areas in this course include curriculum, child development, health and safety, and professionalism with an emphasis on Working with Mixed Age groups. Course topics also include children's play, behavior strategies, child abuse and neglect, supportive environments, family engagement, community and identifying components of professionalism. 
  

  The First Year Family Child Care Provider Course provides the necessary core knowledge content required of first year family child care providers in Maryland. You must view all video presentations, documents, web resources and complete all assessments to receive credit for this course. Begin with the first Topic/Module completing everything before moving forward. Grading will also be done in Topic/Module order. If you have any questions, contact your instructor. We recommend you create a file folder to retain resources  from this course you can use for your childcare business.
  
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  Curriculum

  The Value of Play (3 Hours)

  
  This 3 hour Curriculum module provides child care family educators a lens into the importance of play when working with young children. Adult interaction and engagement is  critical in encouraging and expanding children's  imagination and creativity. Participants will understand how children learn, grow and develop through play. 
  
  

  • The Importance of Play in the Preschool Classroom (article) File
  • The Importance of Play (video) URL
  • 10 Things Every Parent Should Know About Play (link) URL
  • Children At Work (video) URL
  • Art Play (video) URL
  • Sensory Play (video) URL
  • Manipulative Play (video) URL
  • Accessible Play (article) URL
  • Inclusive Play (article) URL
  • Value of Play (Quiz)

    Complete the Value of Play quiz. You need a passing grade of at least 80%. and have three attempts to take the quiz with a delay between each attempt.
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  Child Development

  Strategies For Developing Discipline (3 hours)

  
  This 3 hour Child Development module is designed to foster understanding of effective strategies used to positively guide the behavior of children. Demonstrating how to manage challenging behavior of young children is critical  in managing your child care program environment.  Types of strategies are presented and considered based on each indivisual child. The importance of reconizing the special qualities of each child and appropriate responses from adult will be presented.
  

  • Challenging Behavior (pdf) URL
  • Guidance and Discipline in Child Care (link) URL
  • Why Do Children Misbehave? (pdf) File

    Why do children misbehave? Read the article for information on child behavior and complete the Assignment.
    

  • Positive Discipline and Child Guidance (pdf) File

    Read the article and complete the assignment. Only submit the Growing With Your Child activity.

  • 13 Strategies for Positive Behavior URL

    Every adult who cares for children has a responsibility to guide correct and socialize children toward appropriate behaviors.
    

  • Responding to Challenging Behaviors URL
  • MD Family Child Care Regulations File
  • Discipline Quiz

    Complete the quiz. You need a passing grade of at least 80%. and have three attempts to take the quiz with a delay between each attempt.
    

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  Child Development

  Working With Mixed Age Groups (3 hours)

  This 3 hour Child Development module will discuss working with mixed-age groups. Working with mixed-age groups requires consistency of meeting children's needs and is critical in supporting children's development and learning. Mixed-age grouping can be rewarding and yet challenging. This course will recognize the benefits of mixed-age groups and strategies to create positive outcomes for all children.

  • Using Mixed-Age Groups to Support Continuity of Care in Center-Based Programs (web) URL
  • Child Development Basics (web) URL
  • The Growing Child: School-Age (6 to 12 Years) URL

    Children progress at different rates. They have different interests, abilities, and personalities. But there are some common milestones many children reach from ages 6 to 12.
  • Mixed Age Groups Quiz

    Complete the quiz. You need a passing grade of at least 80%. and have three attempts to take the quiz with a delay between each attempt.
    

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  Health, Safety and Nutrition

  Recognizing and Understanding Child Abuse (3 hours)
  
  

  This 3 hour Health, Safety and Nutrition module will address the types of child abuse.The role of the provider is critical and serves as a manadatory reporter of child abuse. Topics inlcude how to recognize the signs of child abuse, causes of child abuse, who are typical abusers, and preventive measures that must be considered.

  • Objectives Page
  • 
    Child Abuse Overview (video)
  • Child Abuse Presentation (.pdf) File
  • State Regulations on Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect URL
  • Child Abuse, Neglect, and Mental Injury URL
  • Child Abuse Quiz

    Complete the quiz. You need a passing grade of at least 80%. and have three attempts to take the quiz with a delay between each attempt.
    

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  Professionalism

  Professionalism in the Family Child Care Environment (6 hours)

  This 3 hour Professionalism module will explore four areas of  professionalism in the Family Child Care environment. Training will include understanding what business standards are and how to implement them into your business practices. Ethical standards, paying yourself and the 4 business structures will be presented. The Topic of communication with parents will conclude this session.

  • How to Be Seen as a Professional URL

    There is a continuing (maybe growing?) problem in the child care industry: people do not view us as professionals. This negatively impacts us not just on an individual level, but as a profession as a whole. We can do a lot to raise the way people perceive us, which benefits us in many ways (rates, job satisfaction, avoiding burnout, etc.).
    

  • Professionalism in Child Care (pdf) URL
  • What is the Best Business Structure for a Family Child Care Provider? (video) URL

    Explore four different types of business structures and five factors to consider before choosing the best structure for you.
    

  • How Do Providers Pay Themselves? (video) URL

    Understand how providers earn money from a variety of sources and the differences between sole proprietor versus a corporation. Learn about tax consequences, how to manage your bank accounts and explore the impact of your business profits on Social Security benefits.
    

  • NAEYC Code of Ethical Conduct and Commitment (pdf) URL
  • Tips for Talking with Parents about Developmental Concerns (pdf) URL
  • Professionalism Quiz

    Complete the quiz. You need a passing grade of at least 80%. and have three attempts to take the quiz with a delay between each attempt.
    

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  Course Summary

  • Course Evaluation (required) Feedback

    Restricted Not available unless: The activity Professionalism Quiz is complete and passed

    Please complete the course evaluation form to download your certificate.