5.6 Ongoing Health and Safety Training

Lead Agencies must have ongoing training requirements for all caregivers, teachers, and directors of eligible CCDF providers for health and safety standards but have discretion on frequency and training content (e.g., pediatric CPR refresher every year and recertification every 2 years). Lead Agencies have discretion on which health and safety standards are subject to ongoing training. Lead Agencies may exempt relative providers from these requirements. 5.6.1 Required ongoing training of health and safety standards Describe any required ongoing training of health and safety standards for caregivers, teachers, and directors of the following CCDF eligible provider types. a. Licensed child care centers: The Lead Agency requires that the childcare director be responsible for ensuring that all staff receive in-service training totaling a minimum of 15 clock hours per year for each member of the childcare staff. If early childhood assistance is providing direct care without the presence of a teacher-qualified staff they have to successfully complete the child development, health, and safety basic training which adheres to federal standards set forth in 45 CFR 98.41. Childcare staff shall be willing to participate in activities leading to professional growth in child development and education, and in training related to the specific needs of the children served. The director and each childcare staff member shall participate in 15 clock hours of in-service training per year. For the first year of employment, topics that must be included in the trainings are staff requirements to recognize and report suspected child abuse and neglect, how to make a child abuse or neglect report, rules governing the operation of the facility, and the legal protection afforded to persons who report violations of licensing standards. Subsequent in-service training may include, but shall not be limited to, child development, symptoms for common childhood illnesses, hygiene, guidance and discipline, and communication with parents. A record of in-service training has to be maintained on site. The required in-service training hours may consist of on-site training, documented attendance at seminars, workshops, conferences and early childhood classes and documented self-study programs that have been approved by the day care center director. Written documentation of certified food service sanitation/food handler (every 3 yrs). Employees who have successfully completed training and are certified in first-aid, CPR & Heimlich maneuver are on site at all times. CPR certification shall be specific for all age groups served (infant, child and adult). Childcare directors must complete 6 or more clock hours in basic training on providing care to children with disabilities (Components: into to inclusive child care, understanding child development in relation to disabilities, building relationships with families, preparing for and including young children in the child care setting and community services for young children with disabilities including early intervention services). Each licensed day care center, day care home, and group day care home shall have at least one staff member present at all times who has taken a training course in recognizing and responding to anaphylaxis. All licensed day care home providers, licensed group day care home providers, and licensed day care center directors and classroom staff shall participate in at least one training that includes the topics of early childhood social emotional learning, infant and early childhood mental health, early childhood trauma, or adverse childhood experiences. Current licensed providers, directors, and classroom staff shall complete training by July 1, 2022 and shall participate in training that includes the above topics at least once every 3 years. The Licensing Agency is aware that the current layout of the licensing rules does not clearly demonstrate how the 15 hours are monitored and or the components. The licensing agency is currently working on the licensing rules to provide clarity and specification to meet the non-compliance of the preliminary results of March 14, 2024. The licensing agency is anticipating these updates by 12.1.24. b. License-exempt child care centers: Pursuant to the Illinois Department of Early Childhood Act (Public Act 103-0594), the Department of Early Childhood shall manage all facets of licensing for day care centers, day care homes and group day care homes as prescribed throughout the Child Care Act of 1969. (325 ILCS 3/20-25). The Illinois Administrative Rules regarding day care licensing will transfer from DCFS to IDEC on July 1, 2026. Those rules currently refer to DCFS; however, will change to IDEC. All license-exempt non-relative providers must complete at least six (6) hours of approved Child Development, Health & Safety training prior to their anniversary date each year. These approved training topics align with the Child Care Development Block Grant required Health and Safety Training Topic Requirements. 05.05.01 - CCAP Provider Health, Safety, and Child Development Training Requirements. c. Licensed family child care homes: Appendix D- Day Care Homes Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) education (training is required for new applicants and assistants to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Shaken Baby Syndrome (training is required for new applicants and assistants licensed to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) (training is required for new applicants and assistants licensed to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Department-approved Mandated Reporter Training -Every three years per the Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. Licensed providers shall complete 15 clock hours of in-service training per period of the licensing year. Caregivers obtaining clock hours in excess of the required 15 clock hours per year may apply up to 5 clock hours to the next year’s training requirements. 406. 9 (n)-The licensee who is the primary caregiver shall be certified in first aid, the Heimlich maneuver and infant/child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or other entity approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. 406.9 (o) During the hours of operation of the day care home, there shall be at least one person on the premises certified in first aid, the Heimlich maneuver and infant/child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, or other entity approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. The caregivers shall have on file current certificates attesting to the training. Appendix G ( Group Day Care Home) d) Licensed providers shall meet the 15 clock hour requirements for in-service training per period of licensing year. Caregivers obtaining clock hours in excess of the required 15 clock hours per year may apply up to 5 clock hours to the next year's training requirements. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) education (training is required for new applicants and assistants to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Shaken Baby Syndrome (training is required for new applicants and assistants licensed to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID) (training is required for new applicants and assistants licensed to care for newborns and infants, and every three years thereafter for the life of the license) Department-approved Mandated Reporter Training -Every three years per the Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act. 408.25(a)(5)-The applicant who is the primary caregiver has been certified in first aid, the Heimlich maneuver, and infant/child cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in accordance with Section 408.35(i); 408.35(i)-During hours of operation of the group day care home, there shall be at least one person on the premises certified in first aid, the Heimlich maneuver and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association or other entity approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health. CPR certification shall be for the age range of children in care. The caregivers shall have on file current certificates attesting to the training. d. License-exempt family child care homes: All license-exempt non-relative providers must complete at least six (6) hours of approved Child Development, Health & Safety training prior to their anniversary date each year. These approved training topics align with the Child Care Development Block Grant required Health and Safety Training Topic Requirements. 05.05.01 - CCAP Provider Health, Safety, and Child Development Training Requirements e. Regulated or registered in-home child care: All license-exempt non-relative providers must complete at least six (6) hours of approved Child Development, Health & Safety training prior to their anniversary date each year. These approved training topics align with the Child Care Development Block Grant required Health and Safety Training Topic Requirements. 05.05.01 - CCAP Provider Health, Safety, and Child Development Training Requirements f. Non-regulated or registered in-home child care: N/A.