Orientation Training
for Child Care Providers
Do you want to operate a child care facility? Do you currently operate a child care facility and want to relocate or open another facility? If so, please see the important information below.
The Department of Human Services' regulations for child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes states that a legal entity or a representative of the legal entity shall participate in an orientation training provided by the Department within 12 months prior to commencing operation of the child care facility (see 55 Pa. Code §3270.11(b), §3280.11(b) and §3290.11(c)). This means that anyone who wants to operate a child care facility for the first time or any current provider who wants to open a new location must attend an orientation training session within 12 months prior to operating the new facility. A legal entity or the legal entity's representative may attend an orientation session provided by a Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning at any location statewide.
There are two types of orientation training sessions – one for certified facilities i.e., child care centers and group child care homes, and one for certified facilities located in a residence i.e., family child care homes.
Certified Facilities Program (Child Care Center and Group Child Care Home)
The orientation training program for certified facilities has two pieces - an online module and an in-person training session. Upon completion of the online module, you may register to attend the in-person training session. You must attend the in-person session within one year of completing the online module for the certificate to be valid.
The online module was developed using adult education principles and combines video presentations, activities, exercises and many handouts. Certification Representatives facilitate the in-person orientation training sessions. The same curriculum is used statewide. The orientation training focuses on issues relating to opening and operating a new child care facility. Examples of the topics covered are as follows: the types of child care facilities, child care facility regulations, the application process, clearance requirements, business papers, certificate of occupancy, staffing, recognizing safety hazards and information about child care subsidy, Keystone STARS, and Early Intervention. Each person who completes the online module and attends the in-person orientation training session will receive a certificate of completion for each. When filing an application for a certificate of compliance to open a new Child Care Center or Group Child Care Home facility, the legal entity must submit, along with the application, the certificates of completion for both the online module and the in-person orientation as proof of compliance with the requirement for orientation training. The certificates of completion for both the online module and the in-person session must be less than a year old. If the certificates of completion are not submitted with the application, the application is not complete. Please note that a complete application must be submitted to the Department in order for an initial inspection to be scheduled.
To complete the online module "DHS Orientation: Opening a Child Care Center or Group Child Care Home" you will need to set up an account for the online system. ** For information on how to start the online module. There is no fee for this course "DHS Orientation: Opening a Child Care Center or Group Child Care Home."
This module is the first part of the required Department of Human Services orientation. When you complete this module and receive your Certificate of Completion, you can register for the in-person session of the "DHS Orientation Training for Prospective Child Care Providers." The in-person session is a group class led by a certification representative from the DHS Regional Child Development office for your region. You should register for the in-person session as soon as you complete the online module. The certificate is only valid for one year.
NOTE: If your certificate is expired and you intend to open another facility or relocate your facility, you must contact Penn State Better Kid Care (betterkidcare@psu.edu) to reset your account to retake the online module. Allow 48 hours for resetting.
Certified Facilities Program (Family Child Care Home)
The orientation training program for certified facilities has two pieces - an online module and an in-person training session. Upon completion of the online module, you may register to attend the in-person training session. You must attend the in-person session within one year of completing the online module for the certificate to be valid.
The online module was developed using adult education principles and combines video presentations, activities, exercises, and many handouts. Certification Representatives facilitate the in-person orientation training sessions. The same curriculum is used statewide. The orientation training focuses on issues relating to opening and operating a new child care facility. Examples of the topics covered are as follows: the types of child care facilities, child care facility regulations, the application process, clearance requirements, business papers, certificate of occupancy, staffing, recognizing safety hazards and information about child care subsidy, Keystone STARS and Early Intervention. Each person who completes the online module and attends the in-person orientation training session will receive a certificate of completion for each. When filing an application for a certificate of compliance to open a new Family Child Care Home, the legal entity must submit, along with the application, the certificates of completion for both the online module and the in-person orientation as proof of compliance with the requirement for orientation training. The certificates of completion for both the online module and the in-person session must be less than a year old. If the certificates of completion are not submitted with the application, the application is not complete. Please note that a complete application must be submitted to the Department in order for an initial inspection to be scheduled.
To complete the online module "DHS Orientation: Opening a Family Child Care Home" you will need to set up an account for the online system. **For information on how to start the online module. There is no fee for this course "DHS Orientation: Opening a Family Child Care Home."
This module is the first part of the required Department of Human Services orientation. When you complete this module and receive your Certification of Completion, you can register for the in-person training session of the "DHS Orientation Training for Prospective Child Care Providers." The in-person session is a group class led by a certification representative from the DHS Regional Child Development office for your region. You should register for the in-person session as soon as you complete the online module. The certificate is only valid for one year.
NOTE: If your certificate is expired and you intend to relocate your family child care home, you must contact Penn State Better Kid Care (betterkidcare@psu.edu) to reset your account to retake the online module. Allow 48 hours for resetting.
In-Person Training Sessions (For Center, Group, and Family Providers)
Please be aware of the following;
- You must register to attend an orientation session. YOU MUST PRE-REGISTER OR YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED IN THE SESSION.
- You must bring and present CURRENT, VALID AND UNEXPIRED PICTURE IDENTIFICATION at the orientation session. Acceptable picture identification is a state-issued driver's license or state-issued identification card. If you do not have a state-issued driver's license or identification card, picture identification issued by the U.S. government is acceptable including, but not limited, to the following: U.S. passport, Certificate of Citizenship (N560), Certificate of Naturalization (N550).
- For Center, Group Home and Family Child Care Home Providers: You must bring and present a copy of the certificate of completion for the online orientation module or you will not be permitted to stay. The certificate of completion for the online module must be less than a year old.
- You may attend orientation training at any location in Pennsylvania.
- One person per legal entity is permitted to attend an orientation session due to room capacity restrictions. If you need assistance that requires a second person to attend the session, please discuss this when you register for the session.
- If you are unable to attend after you have registered, please call the registration number for your location so that we can make room for someone on the waiting list.
- You will receive a confirmation letter once you have registered. You must bring a copy of your confirmation letter to gain entry to the orientation.
- Your name must appear on the enrollment list or you must show a copy of an enrollment letter to be admitted to the training session.
- The training session will last for approximately four hours. Exact start and end times will be provided when you register.
- Please arrive promptly. Anyone who arrives more than 15 minutes late will not be admitted to the session.
- Please bring a copy of the appropriate child care regulations. You will not be given a copy of the regulations at the orientation.
- Please make child care arrangements. The orientation training session is not an appropriate setting for children.
- Anyone who is not participating in the orientation session may not remain in the training room or on the same floor.
- No food or drink permitted in classrooms.
Below are the schedules for the Orientation Training Sessions through 2019. Please note that there are two different schedules: one for child care centers and group child care homes, and one for family child care homes. Please be sure you are selecting the correct orientation. You must call the telephone number provided to register for an orientation session at the specified location.
Is Your Child Care Center Safe?
Take a survey to find out if your location is safe at www.surveymonkey.com/s/childcarecenters.
Family Child Care: What to Expect in an Inspection
All family child care homes in Pennsylvania are required to earn a Certificate of Compliance as a CERTIFIED, also called LICENSED, child care provider. The process to get certified/licensed includes annual unannounced inspections of family child care homes.
Conducted by Certification Representatives from the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), under the Department of Human Services (DHS), the annual unannounced inspections will help family child care homes meet regulatory standards for providing safe and healthy environments for children.
OCDEL worked with the Pennsylvania Key, Better Kid Care and several experienced family child care programs to produce this introductory video on what providers can expect during an inspection.