UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - Illinois - post

ChildCareEd is Approved as a Gateways to Opportunity Registry Authorized Entity. ChildCareEd offers Gateways-approved trainings that align with ECE Credential Competencies for Levels 2–6. ChildCareEd courses may be used to fulfill in-service training requirements for those working in child care centers, day care centers, family child care homes, day care homes, and licensed group homes including directors, lead teachers, teachers, teacher assistants, teachers aids, caregivers, primary caregivers, family child care providers, and day care home providers.

ChildCareEd courses may be accepted for renewing Illinois Gateways to Opportunity credentials.

Preservice training requirements for all providers:

• Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases Buy Now $16.00 
• Prevention of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and Use of Safe Sleep Practices Buy Now $8.00
• Administration of Medicine Buy Now $16.00 
• Prevention of and response to allergic reactions Buy Now $8.00 
• Building and Physical Premises Safety Buy Now $10.00 
• Shaken Baby Syndrome Buy Now $24.00 
• Responding to Emergencies Buy Now $16.00 
• Handling and Storage of Hazardous Materials Buy Now $10.00
• Appropriate Precautions in Transportation of Children Buy Now $10.00
• First Aid & CPR Blended Buy Now $85.00$75.00

Child Care Director training requirements:

Completion of a CDA Credential.

6 or more clock hours on providing care to children with disabilities:

• A Great Place for Education Includes All ONLINE Buy Now $24.00
• Supporting Skill Development: Children with Special Needs Buy Now $24.00
• Community and Family Engagement in Childcare Buy Now $24.00
• Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion Buy Now $24.00

Teacher training requirements:

Completion of a CDA Credential.

Day Care Homes Primary Caregivers training requirements:

6 or more clock hours on providing care to children with disabilities:

• A Great Place for Education Includes All ONLINE Buy Now $24.00
• Supporting Skill Development: Children with Special Needs Buy Now $24.00
• Community and Family Engagement in Childcare Buy Now $24.00
• Special Needs: From Referral to Inclusion Buy Now $24.00

Annual training requirements for all providers:

15 clock hours of in-service training per licensing year

Gateways Registry:

ChildCareEd approved courses can be found on the Gateways Registry. Users may purchase approved courses through the ChildCareEd website. For Registry credit, please add your Registry ID number to your ChildCareEd account. Attendance data will be uploaded weekly to the Registry. Please allow a minimum of 5 business days for your completed course to appear on your Registry account.

CDA Credential & Renewal Courses

ChildCareEd provides the full 120 hours of CDA training required to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential.

In Illinois, the CDA is a recognized credential that may be used to help meet education and qualification requirements for several roles, including:

• Child Care Directors
• Teachers and Lead Teachers
• Primary Caregivers in Day Care Homes
• Staff working with infants and toddlers

For many positions, completion of a CDA Credential satisfies required education components under Illinois licensing rules.

CDA Training Programs Offered:

• Birth to Five CDA Credential with Portfolio Review Buy Now $399.00$274.00
• CDA Infant/Toddler Credential with Portfolio Review Buy Now $500.00$375.00
• CDA Preschool Credential with Portfolio Review Buy Now $500.00$375.00
• CDA Family Child Care Credential with Portfolio Review Buy Now $500.00$375.00
• CDA Home Visitor Credential Birth to 5 Buy Now $350.00
• CDA Infant/Toddler Renewal Buy Now $250.00$200.00
• CDA Preschool Renewal Buy Now $250.00$200.00
• CDA Family Child Care Renewal Buy Now $250.00$200.00

Illinois ECE Credential

The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Credential is awarded through the Illinois Gateways to Opportunity Registry and recognized by the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS).

It shows your knowledge, skills, and experience in early childhood education and is often required for ExceleRate Illinois programs. Employers also use Credentials to guide hiring and promotions.

ECE Credential Competencies

ChildCareEd offers Gateways-approved trainings that align with ECE Credential Competencies for Levels 2–6. Each course is online, self-paced, and 6 hours long.

Health, Safety & Well-being (HSW)

• Safe and Sound: Creating Healthy Environments for Every Child Buy Now $55.00 → HSW1
• Healthy Starts: Safety, Nutrition, and Wellness in Child Care Buy Now $55.00 → HSW2
• Everyday Safety: Creating Healthy Environments Buy Now $55.00 → HSW3
• Creating Safe & Healthy Child Care Environments Buy Now $55.00 → HSW4
• Wellness in Action: Teaching Healthy Habits to Children Buy Now $55.00 → HSW5

Human Growth & Development (HGD)

• The Science of Growing Up: Typical and Atypical Development Buy Now $55.00 → HGD1
• Growing the Whole Child: Health, Emotions & Early Learning Buy Now $55.00 → HGD2
• Roots & Resilience: Understanding What Shapes a Child Buy Now $55.00 → HGD3
• Recognize, Respond, Respect: Supporting Diverse Learners Buy Now $55.00 → HGD4

Observation & Assessment (OA)

• Tracking Progress, Shaping Futures: Observation & Assessment Skills Buy Now $55.00 → OA1
• Culture, Communication, and Collaboration in Assessment Buy Now $55.00 → OA2
• Privacy Matters: Documentation and Observation in Early Learning Buy Now $55.00 → OA3

Curriculum or Program Design (CPD)

• Planning for Every Child: Responsive Strategies in Action Buy Now $55.00 → CPD1
• From Play to Planning: Building Culturally Competent, Child-Centered Curriculum Buy Now $55.00 → CPD2
• Creating Engaging and Meaningful Learning Experiences Buy Now $55.00 → CPD3

Interactions, Relationships, and Environments (IRE)

• Creating Environments that Nurture Growth and Community Buy Now $55.00 → IRE1
• Connections That Count: Building Relationships in Child Care Buy Now $55.00 → IRE2
• Every Moment Matters: Schedules and Transitions Buy Now $55.00 → IRE3
• Environments That Inspire Independence and Exploration Buy Now $55.00 → IRE4

Family and Community Relationships (FRC)

• Families, Communities, and Classrooms: Working Together for Children Buy Now $55.00 → FRC1
• Bridging Cultures: Family Communication & Collaboration Buy Now $55.00 → FRC2
• Family Connections: Creating Inclusive Relationships Buy Now $55.00 → FRC3
• Beyond the Classroom: Connecting Families to Essential Services Buy Now $55.00 → FRC4
• Family Voices Matter: Tools for Meaningful Collaboration Buy Now $55.00 → FRC5
• Engaging Families for Child Success Buy Now $55.00 → FRC6

Personal and Professional Development (PPD)

• Professional Presence in Early Childhood Buy Now $55.00 → PPD1
• History, Policy, and Practice in ECE Buy Now $55.00 → PPD2
• Legal & Ethical Essentials in Child Care Buy Now $55.00 → PPD3
• Equity-Centered Communication in ECE Buy Now $55.00 → PPD4

Licensing Contact Information

Please contact your local child care licensing office to confirm all requirements, as standards are subject to change:

Illinois Department of Children and Family Services
Phone: (312) 328-2779 or (877) 746-0829
Email: cfpolicy@illinois.gov
Child Care Licensing Website: https://www2.illinois.gov/dcfs/Pages/default.aspx