Questions about Online Workshops

After many years of child care providers asking for a chance to take professional development classes for clock hours online, we are thrilled to be offering this opportunity now! Since this is such a new process, we’ve received many questions, and we wanted to address some of those most frequently asked here.

What equipment do I need?

Prior to the training, you will be e-mailed workbook materials, and you’ll need to print these out before the class. During the training, you’ll need a computer with access to the internet. You’ll use this to see the visual portions of the training, such as power point slides. You’ll also need a phone (either a land line or a cell phone) to call a toll free number so that you can hear the instructor and ask questions. Up to three people can use the same computer and phone during the training.

Do I need computer skills?

Basic computer skills are necessary to get the most from these online professional development experiences. If you can access the internet, navigate to websites, and type a little, you’ll do just fine.

Can I participate in these trainings during my work day?

We are offering these online trainings at a variety of times including evenings, Saturdays, and typical nap times. Please keep in mind that proper adult/child ratios must be maintained in your program at all times, and children must be supervised. Nap time is often an easier time for a substitute or floater to take charge of a classroom, thus allowing the regular teacher time to take an online workshop.

How many online clock hours will licensing accept per year?

Missouri’s Department of Health and Senior Services Section for Child Care Regulation allows an unlimited amount of annual clock hours to be earned online.

How will I receive my certificate?

Your certificate will be mailed to the address you provided at registration once you have completed all the training activities.You are expected to attend the full class and participate in discussion and activities during the professional development event.  You will also be required to complete an evaluation of the session.

To view online clock hour opportunities available now, visit the Missouri Workshop Calendar at www.moworkshopcalendar.org and click on the "online/distance" tab at the top.

New Training Information

We are pleased to announce that Child Care Aware® of Central Missouri will be able to offer an increasing variety of quality professional development opportunities to help you earn your required clock hours and improve your child care programs.

A Place for All Children: Learning about Inclusion is a new curriculum designed to help providers meet the needs of each child, including those who have special needs. If you liked Child Care Plus, this new curriculum will help you continue to build those skills.

The Social Emotional Child Care Orientation Training has been updated, and it now includes four modules with a total of 12 clock hours available.

The Basic Knowledge Curriculum--Early Childhood will help establish a foundation for anyone new to child care, and it provides a great refresher to experts in the field. This training has replaced the CCOT and PACE trainings we used to offer.

The Basic Knowledge Curriculum--Youth Development is replacing our School Age Care Orientation Training (SACOT).  We’re excited to be able to offer more clock hours specifically designed for staff who work with older children.

During the 2011-2012 fiscal year, we will be offering a few of these trainings online. Many of you have been asking for opportunities to earn clock hours online, so stay tuned for more information!

Due to some changes in how our trainings are funded, we have a new fee schedule. All trainings will now cost $6 per hour per participant. For example, a three hour workshop will now cost each person $18. This standard fee should simplify the registration process.

We’re scheduling all these trainings now, and registration information will be sent to those on our mailing list when details are available. All clock hour workshops, including online trainings, will also be posted on the Missouri Workshop Calendar, which can be found at http://www.moworkshopcalendar.org/.

Importance of Registering for Trainings

Child Care Aware® of Central Missouri has been able to offer a wide variety of Professional Development Clock hour opportunities this fiscal year, many at no cost to participants.  Whether or not a training costs money for you to attend, it is still important for you to register several days before the training.  Space is limited for most sessions, and walk-ins may not be accepted. 

Registering also allows us to bring the correct number of books, handouts, and snacks.  If people do not register, we may not have enough materials for everyone.  If people register, then do not attend, we’ve wasted money on handouts, snacks, and drinks that won’t be used.

Please help us keep costs down, and help us make every training experience a valuable one for all participants by registering ahead of time for trainings, and by cancelling your registration if you will not be able to attend.

Check out the Missouri Workshop Calendar for a comprehensive schedule of clock hour professional development workshops available in Missouri.  You can use the "search" feature to find trainings on specific topics or within a certain number of miles of you!

Child Care Aware® of Central Missouri Hosts Creative Curriculum Training

Child Care Aware® of Central Missouri hosted a two-day Creative Curriculum training June 21 and 22, 2011 for participants in the Accreditation Facilitation Project.  Programs currently working toward Accreditation with the agency’s help were invited to send two staff members to this workshop at no cost to the program.  Early childhood educators came to Columbia from as far away as Lebanon and Lewistown to receive a total of 12 clock hours of professional development covering the basics of The Creative Curriculum, including Objectives for Development & Learning, Interest Areas, Literacy, and Mathematics. 

Hands on activities showed attendees how to guide children’s learning experiences to meet multiple objectives, while keeping children engaged.  Participants also received The Creative Curriculum for Preschool Volume Five books to use in implementing The Creative Curriculum in their programs.

If you're interested in improving the quality of your child care program by participating in our Accreditation Facilitation Project, call Child Care Aware® of Central Missouri today at 800-243-9685.