Training and professional development requirements
(i) In general
(i)In general#
The plan shall describe the training and professional development requirements that are in effect within the State designed to enable child care providers to promote the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of children and to improve the knowledge and skills of the child care workforce. Such requirements shall be applicable to child care providers that provide services for which assistance is provided in accordance with this subchapter.
(ii)Requirements#
The plan shall provide an assurance that such training and professional development—
(I) shall be conducted on an ongoing basis, provide for a progression of professional development (which may include encouraging the pursuit of postsecondary education), reflect current research and best practices relating to the skills necessary for the child care workforce to meet the developmental needs of participating children, and improve the quality of, and stability within, the child care workforce;
(II) shall be developed in consultation with the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care (designated or established pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A)(i) )), and may engage training providers in aligning training opportunities with the State’s training framework;
(III) incorporates 2 2 So in original. Probably should be “incorporate”. knowledge and application of the State’s early learning and developmental guidelines (where applicable), the State’s health and safety standards, and incorporates social-emotional behavior intervention models, which may include positive behavior intervention and support models;
(IV) shall be accessible to providers supported through Indian tribes or tribal organizations that receive assistance under this subchapter; and
(V) to the extent practicable, are appropriate for a population of children that includes— (aa) different age groups; (bb) English learners; (cc) children with disabilities; and (dd) Native Americans, including Indians, as the term is defined in section 5304 of title 25 (including Alaska Natives within the meaning of that term), and Native Hawaiians (as defined in section 7517 of title 20 ).
(ii)(I)#
shall be conducted on an ongoing basis, provide for a progression of professional development (which may include encouraging the pursuit of postsecondary education), reflect current research and best practices relating to the skills necessary for the child care workforce to meet the developmental needs of participating children, and improve the quality of, and stability within, the child care workforce;
(iii)Information#
The plan shall include the number of hours of training required for eligible providers and caregivers to engage in annually, as determined by the State.
(iv)Construction#
The Secretary shall not require an individual or entity that provides child care services for which assistance is provided in accordance with this subchapter to acquire a credential to provide such services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a State from requiring a credential.