Professional Development Training in Covid Times - post

Even in the midst of the changes that happened due to Covid, life still marches on. There are children to teach, milestones to meet, and professional credentials to maintain. Depending on the state, early childhood educators must complete anywhere between 6 and 12 hours of CEUs (Continuing Education Units, also known as Continuing Education Credits) to renew their teaching certificate. Two convenient, self-paced options available on ChildCareEd are Shoo, Germs! Don't Bother Me! Buy Now $24.00 and Going Head-to-Head with Challenging Behavior Buy Now $24.00, both designed for completion at home while aligning with common state CEU expectations.

However, with all that is happening, just how can teachers keep up with their professional development? The short answer is: thoughtfully-selected online courses that are accredited or recognized by your state licensing body, delivered asynchronously so they can fit into unpredictable schedules.

The following courses are examples of self-paced trainings offered on ChildCareEd that many providers use to satisfy CEU requirements:

• Shoo, Germs! Don't Bother Me! Buy Now $24.00
• Going Head-to-Head with Challenging Behavior Buy Now $24.00
• Professional Integrity in Child Care Buy Now $24.00
• Injury Prevention: Their Safety Is In Your Hands Buy Now $24.00

Why choose online CEUs during the COVID-19 pandemic?

During the pandemic many professional development programs pivoted rapidly to virtual delivery; state education agencies and higher-education partners launched free, just-in-time professional learning and short asynchronous courses to support educators working remotely and on-site. These programs demonstrate that effective online PD can be designed to be brief, targeted, and accessible, while still offering documentation for licensure renewal. For concrete examples and program features that guided this pivot, see the Tennessee Department of Education partnership and a higher-education case study on rapid asynchronous course development referenced below. (TDOE) (Online Innovations Journal)

How do I choose accredited, state-recognized online courses?

First, consult your state’s licensing or early childhood office to confirm accepted providers and CEU minimums. Next, verify that the course offers a completion certificate listing contact hours, topic, instructor, and provider—this is the documentation most states require. Look for courses that explicitly state state approval or alignment with your state’s competency framework; where available, use state-specific guides such as the California Child Development Permit overview or the Maryland credential renewal guide to cross-check requirements. If you are in a state with detailed pathways (for example, California or Florida), consult those state pages before enrolling.

How do state CEU rules differ and what should I watch for in Tennessee, Florida, Maryland, and California?

State CEU rules vary in both quantity and acceptable providers. Knowing the typical differences will help you choose courses that count toward renewal: many states specify (1) a minimum number of contact hours or CEUs per renewal cycle, (2) accepted topics (for example, health & safety or behavior management), (3) documentation formats (completion certificates with contact hours, or provider transcripts), and (4) lists of preapproved providers or processes for submitting a course for approval.

California commonly ties CEUs to the Child Development Permit system and accepts documented college coursework, approved training modules, and specified workshop formats; California pathways and permit levels (including director pathways) are already linked earlier in this article for reference. Florida’s workforce and CDA renewal pathways often center on defined 45-hour or topic-specific requirements—use the Florida guides linked above to confirm accepted providers and timeframes. Maryland’s credential system similarly defines renewal windows and topic categories; the Maryland renewal guide linked earlier explains levels, required topic areas, and documentation. For Tennessee the article cites a state example of a COVID-era PD pivot; if you are a Tennessee child care provider, consult your state child care licensing office for the exact list of accepted providers and documentation rules (state child care licensing offices differ from K–12 agencies in processes and accepted CE providers).

Action steps that apply in every state:

1. Confirm the minimum CEU/contact-hour requirement and renewal cycle for your credential level.
2. Ask your licensing office whether they require preapproval of providers or allow post-hoc submission of certificates.
3. Verify acceptable certificate contents (course title, number of hours, instructor or provider name, and date completed) before you enroll.
4. Keep an organized digital folder of certificates, transcripts, and provider contact information for audits or renewal submissions.
5. If you plan to use online courses, confirm whether your state requires synchronous contact hours or accepts fully asynchronous, self-paced credit.

These checks prevent wasted time: if a course’s certificate omits required elements, the hours may not be accepted and you’ll need to retake training. When in doubt, contact the licensing office or your employer’s HR/training coordinator before purchasing a course.

How can I integrate online professional development into a busy schedule?

Prioritize asynchronous, modular courses that allow microlearning—short segments you can finish between shifts or during planning time. Block time weekly for PD (for example, one 60–90 minute session), and treat it like prep time on your schedule. Use employer-supported professional learning communities to share progress and resources, and keep a digital folder of completion certificates. When courses follow principles of universal design for learning and accessibility they reduce cognitive load and increase relevance; the rapid-development case studies show asynchronous designs that are typically 4–6 hours total but divided into short, navigable units, which is ideal for working educators.

How do I document and report CEUs for renewal?

Save every completion certificate and any provider transcripts; if your state uses an online portal, upload certificates promptly after course completion. If your renewal requires specific topics (health & safety, behavior, administration), tag certificates by topic for easy retrieval. For state-specific processes see practical guides such as Florida's 45-hour course guide or renewal pages like Keeping Your Florida CDA Current. If you are changing roles, consult role-focused pathways (for example, how to advance to a director permit in California here).

Where can I find affordable or free accredited training?

Look for state-funded modules, community-college partnerships, or provider networks that offer reduced-cost or free options. ChildCareEd's self-paced catalog also includes many low-cost courses and occasional free offerings; for those starting a career, see the state-level 'how to become' pages and free-training guides for California that consolidate low-cost certificate pathways. For a consolidated overview of free and low-cost online certificate options in California, see our guide Free Online Early Childhood Education Training in California: Earn a Certificate.

Summary: What are the next steps I should take?

Check your state requirements, choose accredited asynchronous courses that issue certificates, schedule regular PD time, and file completion documents immediately. Start with courses that align with your immediate renewal needs and employer expectations. Explore the course catalog above and the linked state guides to confirm alignment before enrolling. #professionaldevelopment #CEUs #earlychildhood #onlinelearning #safety

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