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