Child Care Training

Certificate Overview

In this series of three courses, you can begin pursuing child care certification and gain specific eduction in the areas of health, nutrition, and safety; early childhood development; and methods and techniques of curriculum development.

With this training, directors and substitute directors of child care centers are prepared to acquire certification or re-certification as required by the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Division of Child Care, who oversees licensure for directors of child care centers. Certification requires both experience working with young children and specific education.

Colorado State University is proud to offer courses that satisfy some of the educational requirements. Training may also apply in other states, but other states may have different educational requirements. Please contact the appropriate agency in your area for complete details.

For more information on the specific education and experience requirements for directors of childe care centers in Colorado, please visit the CDHS, Division of Child Care website.

Certification Requirements

The educational requirements for the director of a large center must be met by completion of courses that meet the criteria set forth by the CDHS:

• A bachelor's or master's degree with an emphasis in child development, early childhood education, or early childhood special education, including the minimum course requirements below. No additional experience is required.
• A bachelor's degree in elementary education from an accredited college or university, including course credits in: Child Growth and Development or Child Psychology, Methods and Techniques of Teaching Preschool Age Children, Health and Nutrition, Administration.
• A two-year college degree in child development or early childhood education from an accredited college or university including the minimum course requirements below.

All individuals submitting official transcripts for review and/or completing necessary college course work to become qualified as a director must complete one 3-semester hour course (24-semester hours total) in each of the following categories:

• Introduction to Early Childhood Professions
• Introduction to Early Childhood Lab Techniques
• Guidance Strategies for Children
• Health, Nutrition, and Safety
• Administration of Early Childhood Care and Education Programs
• Curriculum Development: Methods and Techniques
• Early Childhood Development
• Administration: Human Relations for Early Childhood Professions

Approved Courses

Colorado State Continuing Education offers the following courses which the CDHS has verbally approved as qualifying for the certification:

For more courses that satisfy requirements for this program but are not offered by Continuing Education, visit Colorado Community Colleges Online.