Does the new law require minimum health and safety trainings for CCDF providers?

Yes, States must have both pre-service (or during an orientation period) and on-going minimum health and safety training requirements (appropriate to the provider setting) for providers serving CCDF children in the topic areas listed above.  ACF expects that these trainings will be part of a broader systematic approach and progression of professional development within a State that will result in opportunities for child care providers to accumulate knowledge, competencies, and credits toward eventual completion of professional certification or higher education.  Note that the law requires States to implement a progression of professional development, based on current research and best practices, and aimed improving the quality and stability of the child care workforce. 

The law does not specify a required number of training or education hours, but the State must report their minimum number of annual training hours required for CCDF providers in their Plan.  While the law does not require any specific number of pre-service and ongoing training hours for CCDF health and safety training, 30 hours of pre-service training and between 24 and 30 hours of ongoing training annually is a reasonable benchmark (based on recommendations in Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards, Guidelines for Early Care and Education Programs, 2011).  ACF strongly encourages States to look at all training- including on-going annual training – as a meaningful opportunity to help child care staff progress professionally and pursue credentials and higher education.

(Reference: Section 658E(c)(2)(G) and 658E(c)(2)(I)(XI))