Outline for 40-Hour Course
Hour Lesson
1 Responsibilities of Child
Care Providers
2 Understanding Children and
Their Development
3 Understanding Children and
Their Development, Part II
4 Planning Experiences for
Children
5 Planning Experiences for
Children, Part II
6 Setting Up an Environment
for Children
7 Language and Literacy
Activities
8 Mathematics and Science
Activities
9 Creative and Movement
Activities
10 Physical Activities and
Outdoor Play
11 Other Types of Learning
Topics
○ Self-assessment
○ Pre-assessment
○ Roles and responsibilities of providers
○ Preparing for your role
○ Importance of early years
○ How development occurs
○ Areas of development – social, cognitive,
emotional, and physical
○ Understanding ages and stages of
development
○ Understanding individual differences
○ Importance of family and culture
○ What children need to learn
○ Establishing a daily schedule and routines
○ Using transitions
○ Types of activities appropriate for children
○ Importance of play
○ Whole group activities
○ Small group activities
○ Teachable moments
○ Room or home arrangement
○ Choosing large equipment
○ Selecting small equipment and materials
○ Arranging the outdoor environment
○ Importance of early literacy experiences
○ Selecting and displaying books
○ Reading to children
○ Other types of literacy activities
○ Importance of early mathematics experiences
○ Number activities
○ Science activities
○ Outings and field trips
○ Value of creative and movement activities
○ Art activities
○ Music activities
○ Movement activities
○ Importance of physical activities and exercise
○ Large and small motor development
○ Outdoor activities and games
○ Keeping children safe outdoors
○ Puzzles and other manipulatives
 Experiences ○ Sand and water play
○ Computers and technology
○ Television and other media
12 Managing Daily Routines ○ Arrival and departure
○ Scheduling meals and snacks
○ Guiding rest and quiet activities
○ Diapering, toileting, and handwashing
13 Guiding Children’s Play ○ Relating to children
○ Group management strategies
○ Positive guidance techniques
○ Unacceptable guidance techniques
14 Responding to Challenging ○ Why children misbehave
Behaviors ○ Goals for responding to challenging
behaviors
○ Responding to specific challenges – biting,
talking back, hitting, unacceptable language,
etc.
○ Seeking outside assistance
15 Providing a Safe Indoor ○ Toxic substances
Environment ○ Exits and stairs (locks, gates)
○ Windows
○ Electrical hazards
○ Equipment safety (high chairs,
16 Preventing Injuries from the ○ Daily inspections
Environment ○ Clothing entrapments
○ Balloons
○ Sharp objects
○ Firearms
○ Kitchen and cooking activities
○ Window cords
17 Identifying and Preventing ○ Defining child abuse and neglect
Child Abuse and Neglect ○ Identifying child abuse and neglect
○ Reducing potential for child abuse and
neglect
○ Identifying and managing personal stress
18 Preventing Shaken Baby ○ Defining shaken baby syndrome
Syndrome ○ Causes of shaken baby syndrome
○ Understanding crying and how to respond to
crying
○ Other ways to reduce potential for shaken
baby syndrome
19 Providing a Safe Outdoor ○ Safe plants
Environment ○ Water hazards
○ Fall zones
○ Equipment use
 ○ Transporting children
20 Safe and Healthy Sleeping ○ Preventing Sudden Infant Death Syndrome
Practices ○ Selecting and arranging cribs
○ Selecting other sleeping equipment
○ Providing for children’s comfort
21 Keeping Children Healthy ○ Causes of illnesses
○ Immunizations for children and adults
○ Exclusion and readmission policies
○ Home or room sanitation
22 Medication Policies and ○ Medication policies
Administration ○ Medication procedures
○ Nonprescription medication policies
○ Medications for chronic illnesses
23 Handwashing ○ Importance of handwashing
○ When handwashing recommended
○ Handwashing procedures
○ Involving children in handwashing
24 Toileting ○ Developmental expectations
○ Toilet training
○ Toilet equipment
○ Toileting procedures
25 Diapering ○ Value in socialization
○ Potential for disease spread
○ Diapering equipment
○ Diapering procedures
25 Menu Planning and Nutrition ○ Children’s nutritional requirements
○ USDA basic meal patterns
○ Acceptable and unacceptable food choices
○ Child and Adult Food Program
26 Pleasant Meals and Snacks ○ Establishing the physical environment
○ Providing opportunities for socialization
○ Handling food preferences and dislikes
○ Responding to challenging behaviors
27 Preparing for Emergencies ○ Types of emergencies
and Disasters ○ Preparing for emergencies
○ Types of disasters
○ Preparing and practicing for disasters
28 Working with Parents ○ Value of parent-provider interaction
○ Communicating with parents
○ Involving parents in program activities
○ Responding to challenging parents
29 Administering First Aid ○ Credit for first aid certification
30 Administering First Aid ○ Credit for first aid certification
31 Administering CPR ○ Credit for CPR certification
32 Administering CPR ○ Credit for CPR certification
33 Resources for Child Care ○ Community resources
Providers ○ Online resources
○ Professional organizations
○ Professional publications
34 State/County/ or City ○ Types of regulation offered
Regulation Requirements ○ Overview of regulation requirements
35 State/County/ or City ○ Preparing for regulation
Regulation Requirements, ○ Requesting regulation
Part II ○ Maintaining regulation
36 Special Issues ○ Developing a ○ Understanding the
business plan business aspects of
group care
37 Special Issues ○ Contracts and ○ Infants/toddlers in a
policies group setting
38 Special Issues ○ Record keeping ○ Preschoolers in a
group setting
39 Special Issues ○ Assistants and ○ School-agers in a
substitutes group setting
40 Being a Child Care ○ Continuing training and education
Professional ○ Child Development Associate credential
○ Accreditation
○ Post-assessment