The Child Care Essentials Certificate offers a comprehensive introduction to the child care industry. It covers topics like the child care workforce, employment, fundamental child and brain development, and essential soft skills. Additionally, it includes training on Mandatory Reporting, infant and adolescent CPR and first aid, OSHA Universal Precautions, and access to the ISU Child Care Essentials online program for child care providers.

Mode of instruction: Hybrid

Length: 55 hours

Entrance Requirements

No admissions requirements or entrance exam is needed.

Skills: Working in childcare requires essential skills to create nurturing environments for children’s development. Good interpersonal skills are key for building positive relationships with children and their families, promoting trust and clear communication. Being patient and empathetic helps in understanding children’s feelings and behaviors, fostering a supportive atmosphere. Practical skills include knowing about child development stages, planning age-appropriate activities, and making learning fun and engaging. Safety awareness and first aid knowledge are crucial for handling emergencies and ensuring children stay safe. Collaboration skills are needed to work well with other childcare providers and keep parents informed about their child’s progress. Lastly, being creative, flexible, and passionate about working with children helps create stimulating environments that encourage learning and growth.

Background check: Fingerprinting required

Career Opportunities

In north Iowa, like the rest of the state, we are experiencing extreme shortages in access to child care stemming from a lack of child care workforce. This program will aid in training and preparing students to enter the child care workforce and has been created in partnership with Child Care Works, a local non-profit, aimed at increasing local childcare wages through a robust wage supplement program.