Training Levels

Basic = Most appropriate for entry-level professionals who are new to early childhood and/or school-age care. Basic Level Training covers a foundational understanding and demonstration of developing skills.

Intermediate = Most appropriate for professionals who have at least (2) years of experience and 120 hours of training in child development, and are moving toward more formal education. Intermediate Level Training includes expanding knowledge and application, and refining skills.

Advanced = Most appropriate for professionals who have at least three (3) years of experience and 30 credit hours in child development. Advanced Level Training focuses on a more thorough knowledge and understanding of developmentally appropriate practice and highly effective application and demonstration of skills.

DHR Minimum Standards Training Areas

CD = Child Development
HSUP = Health, Safety, and Universal Precautions
QCCL = Quality Child Care and Licensing
CCPF = Child Care Professional and the Family
LD = Language Development
PDG = Positive Discipline and Guidance
AM = Administration and Management

CDA (Child Development Associate) Content Areas

Planning a safe, healthy environment to invite learning
Steps to advance children’s physical and intellectual development
Positive ways to support children’s social and emotional development
Strategies to establish productive relationships with families
Strategies to manage an effective program operation
Maintaining a commitment to professionalism
Observing and recording children’s behavior
Principles of child growth and development

Alabama Pathways Core Knowledge Areas (CKA)

CGD = Child Growth and Development
HSN = Health, Safety and Nutrition
LEE = Learning Experiences and Enrichment
DIV = Diversity
COA = Child Observation and Assessment (Planning for Individual Needs)
ICFC = Interaction with Children, Families and Communities
PPD = Personal and Professional Development
MA = Management and Administration

CCDF Training Areas

  • 1
    Prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations)
  • 2
    Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention and use of safe sleep practices
  • 3
    Administration of medication
  • 4
    Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions
  • 5
    Building and physical premises safety, including identifying electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic
  • 6
    Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and abusive head trauma
  • 7
    Emergency preparedness and response planning for natural or man-caused events
  • 8
    Handling and storage of hazardous materials, including correct disposal of bio-contaminants
  • 9
    If applicable, appropriate pre-cautions in transporting children
  • 10
    First-aid and CPR
  • 11
    Recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
  • 12
    Identifying and serving homeless children and their families
  • 13
    Promoting the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children, including those related to nutrition and physical activity, using scientifically-based, developmentally appropriate and age appropriate strategies
  • 14
    Caring for children in geographic areas with significant concentrations of poverty and unemployment
  • 15
    Implementing behavior strategies, including positive behavior interventions and support models that promote positive social and emotional development and reduce challenging behaviors, including reducing expulsions of preschool-aged children for such behaviors
  • 16
    Engaging parents and families in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways to expand their knowledge, skills and capacity to be meaningful partners in supporting their children’s positive development
  • 17
    Understanding early neurological development
  • 18
    Using data to guide program improvement
  • 19
    Supporting positive development of school-age children
  • 20
    Improving the quality of programs and services for infants and toddlers

Target Age Groups

Infants = Birth to 12 months
Toddlers = 1 and 2 year olds (13 to 36 months)
Preschoolers = 3 and 4 year olds
School-agers = 5 to 12 year olds
ALL = Infants, Toddlers, Preschoolers, and School-agers