Bright Beginnings in the Capital: A Day in the Life of Early Childhood Educators in Washington, D.C.

D.C. 12 Hour Annual Home-Based Providers Training Bundle

$100

What annual training is required to stay compliant as a Home-Based Child Care Provider in Washington, D.C.?

All licensed family child care home providers must complete a minimum of 12 clock hours of approved training each year. This ensures that child care providers stay up to date on safety protocols, child development strategies, and inclusive teaching practices.

The D.C. 12 Hour Annual Home-Based Providers Training Bundle is a carefully curated collection of online, self-paced training courses that satisfy the annual professional development requirements set by the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) for home-based child care providers in D.C.

📚 Core Topics:

Health and safety refreshers
Positive behavior guidance
Inclusion
Family communication

Health and Safety Orientation
Mysteries of Challenging Behavior Solved
Let’s Talk: Effective Communication

D.C. 90-Day Orientation Training Bundle

$100

What orientation training is required within 90 days for child care providers in D.C.?

Meet your next compliance milestone with the D.C. 90-Day Orientation Training Bundle— covering the second phase of mandatory health and safety training.

Have you completed your 30-day preservice training? Then you're ready to take the next step. D.C. regulations require that within 90 days of hire, child care staff receive additional training in child development and safety practices.

👥 Ideal For:

Newly hired teachers
Assistant teachers
Directors
Home caregivers
Staff transitioning from provisional to fully qualified status.

This bundle satisfies orientation training content as defined by OSSE, with the exception of First Aid and CPR training.

Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices
Responding to Emergencies
Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases
Administration of Medicine
Prevention of and Response to Allergic Reactions
Building and Physical Premises Safety
Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials
Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children
Classroom Designers ONLINE

D.C. Assistant Teacher Bundle

$549

How do you qualify to work as an Assistant Teacher in a D.C. child care center?

Jumpstart your early childhood career with the D.C. Assistant Teacher Bundle — includes CDA coursework and preservice health and safety training.

Do you have a high school diploma or GED? Then you’re ready for the next step.

To serve as an Assistant Teacher in a child development center, you must hold a CDA credential or earn it within 2 years of your hire date.

🧩 Bundle Includes:

CDA training (120 hours) + professional portfolio support
Health and safety preservice training

CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review
Health and Safety Orientation
Classroom Designers ONLINE

D.C. Home Caregiver Bundle

$550

Want to open a home daycare in D.C.?

What training and credentials do you need? Start strong with our D.C. Home Caregiver Bundle — includes CDA certification plus required preservice training for Expanded and Associate Home Caregivers.

Do you have a high school diploma and a passion for early childhood education? Then you’re ready for the next step.

To operate or work in a licensed home-based facility, caregivers must hold or earn a CDA credential and complete preservice health and safety training.

🧩 Bundle Includes:

Child Development Associate (CDA) training (120 hours)
Health & safety preservice bundle

CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review
Health and Safety Orientation
Classroom Designers ONLINE

D.C. 21 Hour Annual Center-Based Staff Training Bundle

$165

🌱 Ready to Grow? Complete Your 21-Hour Annual Training with Confidence.

In the world of early childhood education, growth never stops—not for the children in your care, and certainly not for you as a professional. If you're working in a licensed child care center in Washington, D.C., you're required to complete 21 hours of annual training to stay in compliance with OSSE regulations.

This D.C. 21 Hour Annual Center-Based Staff Training Bundle is an all-in-one, online professional development package designed for busy child care center staff in D.C. It combines practical knowledge with engaging content to help you meet annual licensing requirements—without boring slideshows or outdated materials.

📚 Core Topics:

Health and safety refreshers
Positive behavior guidance
Inclusion
Family communication

Health and Safety Orientation
Early Emotional Wellness
Viewing Guidance in a Positive Light
Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion
A Thoughtful Approach to Children's Mental Health
Community and Family Engagement in Childcare
Building Equity: Inclusionary Practices in Preschool

D.C. Child Care Preservice Training: 30-Day Compliance Bundle

$55

How do you meet D.C.'s 30-day pre-employment training requirement for child care providers?

Get started with our D.C. Child Care Preservice Training: 30-Day Compliance Bundle — designed to fulfill D.C.’s required health and safety topics within your first 30 days on the job!

Do you have a job offer from a licensed child care facility in D.C.? Then you’re ready for the next step.

All staff who care for infants, toddlers, or preschoolers in a licensed child development facility in the District must complete preservice training within 30 days of hire.

Included Training Topics:

Child abuse and neglect: prevention, detection, and reporting
Emergency preparedness and response (natural/human-made disasters)
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) prevention and safe sleep practices
Shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma prevention

Shaken Baby Syndrome
Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome and Abusive Head Trauma
Responding to Emergencies
Abuse and Neglect: Signs and Reporting

Bright Beginnings in the Capital: A Day in the Life of Early Childhood Educators in Washington, D.C.

Every day in Washington, D.C., #early-childhood- #educators #play a vital role in shaping young minds, supporting families, and creating nurturing spaces for children to grow. Their work is both rewarding and challenging—and no two days are ever the same. At ChildCareEd.com, we’re proud to walk alongside educators in D.C., offering training, resources, and support to make their days smoother and more fulfilling.

What Does a Typical Morning Look Like for an Early Childhood Educator?

The day often begins before the first child arrives. Educators prepare #classrooms, set up learning materials, and welcome families with a smile. In D.C., educators must also keep licensing and training requirements top of mind. Meeting these requirements is easy with D.C.-approved courses, designed to help #teachers grow professionally while meeting compliance needs.

Bundles like the D.C. Assistant Teacher Bundle and the D.C. Child Care Preservice Training 30-Day Compliance Bundle ensure #staff-start their mornings with confidence, knowing they’re fully prepared for their roles.

How Do Educators Spark Curiosity Throughout the Day?

Learning in #early-childhood is rooted in exploration and play. D.C. educators weave literacy, #math, science, and social-emotional skills into activities that keep children engaged and excited.

One powerful way to support #early-literacy is through vocabulary building. Educators can explore strategies in our #free course, Building Vocabulary, which offers practical tools to help children expand their #language-skills every day.

What Challenges Do Educators Face in the Afternoon?

Afternoons are full of balancing transitions, keeping energy levels steady, and ensuring every child feels #safe and cared for. For #home-based providers, flexibility and creativity are especially important. The D.C. Home Caregiver Bundle is a great resource for those caring for children in smaller settings, offering training that supports both daily routines and long-term success.

What Are the Career Pathways for Educators in D.C.?

For many, the classroom is just the beginning. D.C. offers exciting opportunities for educators to move into leadership roles. Our article, Become a Licensed Child Care Provider or Teacher Today, is a helpful guide for those who dream of becoming directors and administrators in the nation’s capital.

Educators may also consider advancing through credentials such as the CDA. Stay informed about updates with our resource on the Birth to Five CDA Credential, which answers key questions about the recently released version.

How Can ChildCareEd Support Educators Beyond the Classroom?

At ChildCareEd.com, we believe professional #growth should be accessible, flexible, and inspiring. Whether you’re a new assistant teacher, a home caregiver, or a director in training, we provide the courses and resources you need to thrive.

We’d also love to stay connected—follow ChildCareEd on social media for tips, updates, and encouragement tailored to D.C. educators like you. Together, we can build stronger programs, empower teachers, and give every child the bright beginning they deserve.

✨ From early morning hellos to the last goodbye of the day, Washington, D.C. educators make an incredible impact. Thank you for all you do—you truly are shaping the future of our communities.

D.C. 12 Hour Annual Home-Based Providers Training Bundle

$100

What annual training is required to stay compliant as a Home-Based Child Care Provider in Washington, D.C.?

📚 Core Topics:

Health and safety refreshers
Positive behavior guidance
Inclusion
Family communication

Health and Safety Orientation
Mysteries of Challenging Behavior Solved
Let’s Talk: Effective Communication