Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-109.7

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 441-109.7 - Professional growth and development

The center director, on-site supervisor, and staff counted as part of the staff ratio shall meet the following minimum staff training requirements:

(1)Required training within the first three months of employment. During their first three months of employment, all staff shall receive the following training:

a. Two hours of Iowa's training for mandatory reporting of child abuse.

b. At least one hour of training regarding universal precautions and infectious disease control.

c. Certification in American Red Cross, American Heart Association, American Safety and Health Institute, or MEDIC First Aid infant, child, and adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) or equivalent certification approved by the department. A valid certificate indicating the date of training and expiration date shall be maintained.

d. Certification in infant, child, and adult first aid that uses a nationally recognized curriculum or is received from a nationally recognized training organization, including the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, the American Safety and Health Institute, or MEDIC First Aid or an equivalent certification approved by the department. A valid certificate indicating the date of training and expiration date shall be maintained.

e. Minimum health and safety trainings, approved by the department, in the following areas:

(1) Prevention and control of infectious disease, including immunizations.

(2) Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of safe sleep practices.

(3) Administration of medication, consistent with standards for parental consent.

(4) Prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions.

(5) Building and physical-premises safety, including identification of and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury, such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic.

(6) Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma.

(7) Emergency preparedness and response planning for emergencies resulting from a natural disaster or a human-caused event.

(8) Handling and storage of hazardous materials and the appropriate disposal of biocontaminants.

(9) Precautions in transporting children.

(10) Child development.

Minimum health and safety training may be required if content has significant changes which warrant that the training be renewed.

Child care staff employed in programs that only serve children over the age of three are exempt from taking health and safety trainings under subparagraphs 109.7(1)"e" (2) and 109.7(1)"e" (6).

(2)Center directors and all staff.

a. During their first year of employment, all center directors and all staff shall receive the following training:

(1) Ten contact hours of training from one or more of the following content areas:

1. Planning a safe, healthy learning environment (includes nutrition).

2. Steps to advance children's physical and intellectual development.

3. Positive ways to support children's social and emotional development (includes guidance and discipline).

4. Strategies to establish productive relationships with families (includes communication skills and cross-cultural competence).

5. Strategies to manage an effective program operation (includes business practices).

6. Maintaining a commitment to professionalism.

7. Observing and recording children's behavior.

8. Principles of child growth and development.

(2) Training received for cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), first aid, mandatory reporting of child abuse, and universal precautions shall not count toward the ten contact hours. A provider shall not use a specific training or class to meet minimum continuing education requirements more than one time every three years.

(3) Staff who have completed a comprehensive training package of at least ten contact hours offered through a child care resource and referral agency or community college within six months prior to initial employment shall have the first year's ten contact hours of training waived.

b. Following their first year of employment, all center directors and all staff shall:

(1) Maintain current certification for Iowa's training for the mandatory reporting of child abuse; infant, child and adult CPR; and infant, child and adult first aid.

(2) Receive six contact hours of training annually from one or more of the content areas listed in subparagraph 109.7(2)"a"(1). A provider shall not use a specific training or class to meet minimum continuing education requirements more than one time every five years.

(3) Center directors and on-site supervisors shall receive eight contact hours of training annually from one or more of the content areas listed in subparagraph 109.7(2)"a"(1).

c. Initial training obtained as identified in paragraph 109.7(1)"e" may be counted toward annual training hours during the year of employment in which the training is taken.

(3)Staff employed in centers that operate summer-only programs. During their first three months of employment, all staff shall receive the following training: