37.95.162    DAY CARE FACILITIES: REQUIRED ANNUAL TRAINING

(1) The provider and all care-givers at any day care facility must each verify that they have successfully completed a minimum of at least eight hours of continuing education annually, unless otherwise specified in these rules, within the 12 months prior to license/registration expiration or the license/registration anniversary date.

(2) The training may be obtained from the department or other department approved professional child care education and development programs offered:

(a) by national, state, or local child care organizations;

(b) by institutions of higher education that are regionally accredited; or

(c) through the successful completion of college level course work in early childhood areas or child development.

(3) Approved education and training must relate to the Montana Early Care and Education Knowledge Base and must fall within the following categories:

(a) personal attributes/characteristics;

(b) health, safety, and nutrition which may include training on prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and medication administration;

(c) child growth and development;

(d) environmental design;

(e) child guidance;

(f) family and community partnerships;

(g) program management;

(h) curriculum;

(i) observation and assessment;

(j) professionalism; or

(k) cultural and developmental diversity.

(4) With the exception of volunteers, any person who provides care to children in a day care facility for at least 160 hours a year is required to successfully complete eight hours of approved education or training annually.

History: 52-2-704, MCA; IMP, 52-2-704, 52-2-723, 52-2-731, MCA; NEW, 2006 MAR p. 1424, Eff. 6/2/06.