6. Additional Training Requirements

Question 1

Early Literacy Training Requirements

Answer 1

Within the first year of employment in a child care program, child care personnel must complete a Department-approved early literacy course that is 5 hours or 0.5 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). School-age child care personnel do not have to complete this requirement. The early literacy training requirement can be met in one of the following ways:

• One of the Department’s online literacy courses (Early Literacy for Children Age Birth through Three or Emergent Literacy for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Instructors)
• One of the Department’s approved literacy courses
• One college-level early literacy course (for credit or non-credit) if taken within the last five years

Question 2

Fire Extinguisher Training Requirements

Answer 2

All staff shall be trained in the use and operation of a fire extinguisher within 30 days of employment. The child care program must maintain documentation of training completion. The Department’s Florida Child Care Personnel Orientation course meets this requirement.

Question 3

Transportation Training Requirements

Answer 3

All staff participating in transportation activities must have training related to safe transportation practices. The Department’s Transportation Safety course or the Office of Early Learning’s Precautions in Transporting Children course will meet this requirement.

Question 4

Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Syndrome Training Requirements

Answer 4

Within 30 days of hire, all child care personnel who work in a child care program that offers care to infants must have training regarding:
- Safe sleep practices
- Preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
- Recognition of signs and symptoms of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
- Strategies for coping with a crying, fussing or distraught child
- Development and vulnerabilities of the brain in infancy

Question 5

Documentation of training must be maintained on the Department’s training transcript in the child care personnel record. This training may be accomplished through one of the following:

Answer 5

• The Department’s Health, Safety, and Nutrition course
• The Department’s Safe Sleep Practices for Child Care course
• The Office of Early Learning’s Safe Sleep Practices course