Overview | Training Calendar | Get Listed | Career in Child Care | Alabama Minimum Standards for Child Care Update

Starting a Child Care Program/Business

The 2008 Child Care Workforce Study, published by Alabama Partnership for Children, with assistance from the Alabama Technology Network
– Auburn University, reports that, “The quality of the child care staff is the most important indicator of a high quality early learning program. Research has found that the teachers’ level of formal education and
specialized training in early childhood education is directly related to positive outcomes for children’s social, language and cognitive development.”

At Childcare Resources, we provide training and resources for child care professionals on a wide variety of subjects that supports professional development and quality child care for children.

Free Online Training on May 11, Provider Appreciation Day!

The Child Care Aware Training Academy™ is partnering with Smart Horizons to celebrate Provider Appreciation Day on May 11 by offering an online training course at no charge.

The 2-hour Promoting Nutrition & Physical Activity in Child Care course focuses on strategies providers can use to create a healthier child care setting in light of the growing problem of childhood obesity. The course includes printable resource guides, family letters, activity ideas and planning forms.

Providers can register here on May 11. The course will be available until midnight on that date.

This course is comprised of two classes: Physical Development and Outdoor Play and Nutrition and Menu Planning. Providers will be able to print a certificate of completion when they finish each class.

The free offering reflects Child Care Aware of America®’s commitment to the Let’s Move! Child Care initiative, which provides tools and resources to promote healthy eating and exercise in family child care homes and centers. The program was launched in June 2011 and was an outgrowth of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative, which is dedicated to solving the problem of obesity within a generation.

Take Advantage of the CDA Renewal Amnesty Program

As of March 1, 2012, the Council launched the Renewal Amnesty Program, which allows anyone who has earned or renewed a CDA in the last ten years to apply for Renewal, even if their CDA has expired. This means that if your CDA has a credential date of January, 2002 or later, you are eligible for Renewal Amnesty. This program will only last until December 31, 2012 so don’t delay… Renew your CDA today!

If you care currently pursing a CDA, be sure to consult the latest issue of the Quality Times to learn about upcoming CDA assistance classes at Childcare Resources. For individual CDA assistance, please contact Lisa Nunn, 252-1991 x312.

Crib Safety Standards Have Changed

Beginning June 28, 2011, all cribs manufactured and sold (including resale) must comply with new and improved federal safety standards. By December 28, 2012, these facilities must use only compliant cribs that meet the new federal safety standards.

Childcare Resources encourages all child care providers to review the new standards.

New Online Training Opportuinities!

Childcare Resources in now offering online training for early childhood professionals. Our training courses are designed to help you complete annual training requirements and acquire required training hours for those seeking a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, CDA credential renewal or in-service training. View the courses and register today!

Childcare Resources is now on Facebook

Childcare Resources Fan Page is a great resource to stay up-to-date with our latest happenings and interact with our agency. We encourage you to post comments, ask questions, and connect with other local area child care providers through our page.

Services for Child Care Providers include:

Training sessions, courses and conferences are offered for providers to assist them in providing quality child care. All training meets DHR and CDA training categories.
Career Assistance is intended to assist individuals interested in a career in early care and education. A consultant is available to discuss your career path options. Please call 205-252-1991 ext. 300 to schedule an appointment.
Technical Assistance is available to current and potential providers looking to improve the quality of care being provided, open a new child care program or seek CDA or national accreditation.

Infant Toddler Program

The Infant Toddler Program offers free training, one-on-one consultations, program assessments, and classroom stipends to particpating child care centers to improve the quality of care in their infant and toddler classrooms. Contact Donna Godbee at (205) 252-1991 ext. 323. To apply for participation, please download the application.

Parents as Teachers

The Parents as Teachers program is a parent education and family support program that offers personal visits, parent group meetings, vision and hearing screenings, and a resource network for families throughout pregnancy until their child enters kindergarten. Contact Kimberly Farr at (205) 252-1991 ext. 329. To apply for participation, please download the application.

RISE Assistance to Accreditation

RISE (Reaching Improvement through Self-Evaluation) offers free training, one-on-one consultations, program assessments, and classroom stipends to child care programs interested in working towards reaching national accreditation standards and improving the quality of early care they offer at their child care center. Contact Valerie Wyatt at (205) 252-1991 ext. 330. To apply for participation in RISE download the application.

Early Learning Resource Library and Van

The Early Learning Resource Library and Van offers an array of resources and services for early care educators that include children’s books, thematic unit boxes, musical CD’s and tapes, teacher resource books, video’s, puppet story book kits, research on early childhood topics, die-cuts, and laminating for classrooms. Contact Beverly Cook at (205) 252-1991 ext. 315 for more information, or download the application.