Applicants for a Family Child Care License must satisfy a series of training requirements determined by MSDE Office of Child Care. If you have questions about getting your license,  required training classes, setting up your business, or another aspect of family child care, contact Joan Johnson, by calling 410-313-1432 or emailing jmjohnson@howardcountymd.gov.

Pursuing state accreditation helps early childhood programs improve their quality of service. Accredited programs provide research-based, high quality early childhood education that benefits children, parents, and local school systems. Whether you are working to become accredited, or you are just beginning to consider the possibilities; the Howard County Office of Children and Families (OCF) can help you through the process. Join us at these workshops to learn more about how and why to become accredited.

1. MSDE Orientation: Overview of Accreditation (This workshop is required for programs pursuing MSDE Accreditation) - Overview of the early childhood accreditation and validation process. Become acquainted with standards, focus areas, supporting documents, self-appraisal, and rating process. Learn about the validation process and discuss selecting a self-appraisal team. (2 PRO) Register online for MSDE Orientation: Overview of Accreditation.
2. Organizing the Self-Appraisal Process - Discuss forming a self-appraisal team and learn to help your team become familiar with the Standards documents. Learn the self-appraisal process for each age group and understand your own role in self-appraisal. Create a timeline for self-appraisal and validation, review the Classroom Learning Materials Checklist, and complete your application paperwork. (Bring your Program Accreditation documents). (2 PRO)
3. Program Improvement Plan and Implementation - Analyze the results of your self-appraisal to help identify your program's strengths and weaknesses. Learn to develop your program improvement plan, implement strategies, and assess the improvements with your established timeline. Explore each focus area of the Program Standards. Bring your copies of the Standards. Discuss program administration, operation and partnerships with families and the community. Identify and consider the best practices of your program. Help your staff understand the "why" of the standards, and discuss programming examples that reflect quality early childhood programs. (2 PRO)
4. Organizing Your Documentation - Review all required documents and discuss how to organize your paperwork. Make sure your documents are clearly written and meet Standard requirements. Understand why it's important to present clear and concise information about your program. (2 PRO)

Instructor Joan Johnson is an experienced validator for MSDE and will help you through the process. If you are actively pursuing accreditation; your program is also eligible for FREE technical assistance, mentoring and a program improvement visit. For more information on the series, please call Joan at 410-313-1432.

These classes are open only to preschool and center directors and owners; other teachers may enroll only with permission of the instructor. All classes meet in the OCF training room (3300 N. Ridge Rd., Suite 360, Ellicott City, MD). The first class in the series is FREE; classes 2-4 are $28 each. You are welcome to register for just one class or for the complete series.

Payment Options: Register online, call 410-313-1940, or mail registration form to: Howard County OCF, 3300 N. Ridge Rd., Suite 380, Ellicott City, MD 21043

The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) Office of Child Care adopted new regulations in 2015 which require child care providers to complete four new workshops. Some of the regulated workshops are proposed regulations which have not yet taken effect, but it is recommend to plan ahead and include all of the following workshops in your professional development plan.

Including All Children and the Americans with Disabilities Act
Deadline:  January 1, 2016
Who: Directors, Lead Teachers,  Assistant Teachers & Family Providers

Medication Administration
Deadline:  January 1, 2016
Who: Family Providers (Previous regulation for centers is unchanged.)

Supporting Breastfeeding in Child Care
Deadline:  January 1, 2016
Who: Directors, Infant/Toddler Staff & Family Providers

This course introduces the major concepts, theories, principles, and research related to the development and care of children birth to age 3. Participants will learn how to create a safe and healthy environment while developing appropriate interaction and communication skills that will assist with learning and development. For family providers, the regulations state those approved to care for more than two infants and toddlers must complete 45 hours of approved training related exclusively to the care of children younger than 2 years old. This class satisfies the regulation. 

The 45-Hour Infant and Toddler Certificate workshop series is scheduled September 14 - November 9, 2017, 6:30 - 9:30 p.m. To successfully complete the course, participants must attend the mandatory first and last sessions on 9/14/17 and 11/09/2017 and complete a minimum of 13 out of the 15 sessions. Sessions are held on the following Tuesdays and Thursdays:

September 14, 19, 26, 28

October 3, 5, 10, 12, 17, 19, 24, 26

November 2, 7, 9

Cost: $225

Register Online for The In-Person 45-Hour Infant and Toddler: Methods and Materials

Can't attend the in-person 45-Hour Infant and Toddler series? Register for The 45-Hour Infant and Toddler: Methods and Materials online training. 

For questions related to the care of infants and toddlers, contact Joan Johnson, Technical Assistance Specialist by e-mailing  jmjohnson@howardcountymd.gov or calling 410-313-1432. For other questions, please call (410) 313-1940.

Yes, we can provide child care training for your staff at your Howard County location. Most of the workshops which are offered in the training calendar are available for your onsite training if you have at least ten staff members. It's convenient and as easy as 1-2-3!

1. Submit an On-Site Request Form to the Training Coordinator, at ocftraining@howardcountymd.gov.
2. The Training Coordinator will contact you to discuss details and will send an On-Site Confirmation for your approval.
3. After receiving your On-Site Confirmation, submit  an On-Site Training Enrollment Form to the Training Coordinator by emailing ocftraining@howardcountymd.gov. An instructor will arrive at your site with the materials needed to train your pre-registered staff on the scheduled date!

Howard County Office of Children and Families follows the Howard Community College inclement weather policy for workshop cancellations. To receive immediate notification of workshop cancellations, sign up for HCC Mobile Alerts by visiting www.howardcc.edu. Updates are also available by calling 410-313-1940 and are also found by visiting www.howardcountymd.gov/children.

If a workshop is cancelled due to weather, instructor illness, etc., participants will be notified by 4:00 pm. If possible, the workshop will be rescheduled and an attempt to notify all participants by phone and/or email will be made. When the weather is in question, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/training, or call 410-313-1940 to learn the status of the workshop.

Registration is on a first-come, first served basis. Payment is required at the time of registration. All receipts are emailed to the address provided during registration. The registration receipt is your confirmation, please mark your calendar. Access your online account at any time to verify your upcoming workshop schedule!

Pre-registration  is required for all workshops. Your registration and payment must be received by 4:00 pm on the day of the workshop for all weekday workshops (by Friday for weekend workshops). Same day registrations will accepted online until 2:00 pm and by phone until 4:00 pm if space permits; call (410) 313-1442 to check availability. Walk-ins will not be permitted to stay.

Late Arrival to a Workshop: Workshops begin at the time stated in the calendar and your receipt. Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to sign-in. If you arrive after the workshop begins, you will be asked to leave; you will not be eligible for a certificate, credit, or refund.

Change or Cancellation of a Workshop: If you cannot attend a workshop you have registered for, notify us at least 24 hours in advance to receive a credit for future use. Refunds will not be given unless The Office of Children and Families (OCF) cancels the workshop. If there are extenuating circumstances on the day of a workshop which require you to cancel your attendance, please call (410) 313-1442 and leave a message. Messages must be left on the day of the workshop to be considered. Same-day cancellations are handled on a case-by-case basis and may require documentation from the participant.

Workshops are designed for adults only; please make appropriate child care arrangements in advance.

If you need accommodations to attend a training workshop, please call (410) 313-1940 at least one week prior to the workshop.

• Turned off or put in the silent or vibrate only mode
• No texting, games, application use, etc. during the workshop
• Please step out of the room to accept any phone calls
• Show respect to all participants
  • Be mindful of comments or language which may offend others
  • Let others finish their comments without interruption or criticism  
• Show respect to the trainer
  • Please refrain from holding side conversations
  • If you disagree with the trainer, please share your thoughts with respect
• Please enter and exit the room quietly so as to not disturb others
• Ask as many questions as you need, but please keep questions focused on the topic  
• Share experiences responsibly
  • Be mindful of confidential information
  • Please keep sharing directly related to the topic
• Enjoy your food responsibly
  • Dispose of all trash and recycling appropriately 
  • Clean up the area of any spills 
• Leave the room in the condition you found it 
• Please discard of trash and recycling in the appropriate bins 
• Do not place containers with liquid in any trash or recycling bins; please empty liquid in bathroom sinks 

Trainers will administer assessments in written or verbal form at each workshop.

All certificates will be mailed to participants after the assessment scores have been validated, usually within 10 business days.  Those completing the Medication Administration course will generally receive the certificate at the end of the workshop after successful completion of the assessments and demonstration.  Those completing the CPR and/or First Aid Certification will receive the certification card after successful completion of the assessments and demonstrations.

Replacement training certificates must be requested either in writing or by phone call.  Please call the Registrar at (410) 313-1442 or send an email to ocftraining@howardcountymd.gov.  There is a $5.00 fee per replacement certificate issued for workshops that were held within a year of the request. For replacement certificates for workshops held beyond a year of the request, the fee is a $10.00. This can be paid by cash, check, or credit card.  Certificates will not be mailed until payment has been received.