Arkansas PDR Approved Child Care Courses Online 

Arkansas approved early childhood education trainings you'll actually want to sit through

Learn practical classroom-ready strategies from a Speech Language Pathologist & Early Intervention Specialist — plus access to digital resources and a community of educators like you!
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Browse all live and self paced Arkansas professional learning

Trainings you'll actually want to finish

Bridging Child Development is registered with the Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR)

We provide child care training for infant, toddler, and preschool teachers across Arkansas. Our courses are registered with the PDR, so your hours count toward your annual Arkansas child care licensing requirements, with strategies you'll actually use.

Arkansas Child Care Training Requirements

Everything You Need To Know:

Annual Training Requirements

Arkansas child care providers must complete annual training to stay in compliance with Arkansas child care licensing, which is overseen by the Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood (OEC).

  • Teachers and Direct Care Staff (child care centers):
    • 15 hours of job-specific training each calendar year, including child development training
  • Family Child Care Home Caregivers (licensed and registered):
    • At least 15 hours each year, including child development training
  • Directors and Assistant Directors/Site Supervisors:
    • 15 clock hours each year in early childhood education or child development

Arkansas Training Topic Areas

Arkansas continuing education covers areas like these, and Bridging Child Development courses align to one or more of them:

  • Child Growth and Development

  • Curriculum and curriculum development

  • Nutrition and Food Service

  • Developmentally appropriate practice and learning environments

  • Family Communication and Involvement

  • Behavior guidance

New to Child Care in Arkansas?

  • Register with the Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR) within 30 days of hire
  • Complete 8 clock hours of orientation within your first 3 months (you can't be left alone with children until it's done)
  • New directors and assistant directors complete New Director's Orientation and related trainings within 6 months of employment
  • New family child care providers complete Family Child Care Provider Training and Business Administration Scale (BAS) training within the first 6 months
  • For professional development hours to count, the training must be registered with the Arkansas Professional Development Registry, or be Department of Education or Division of Higher Education approved. (Bridging Child Development trainings are approved)

The Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR)

The PDR is where Arkansas tracks your training. Everyone working in a licensed center, licensed home, registered home, or out-of-school time program becomes a member, gets a PDR ID number, and can pull up an online transcript of completed trainings.
- If PDR-registered: Add your PDR ID when you enroll so your hours link to your transcript.

Meet Your Trainer

Hi, I'm Kelly
A licensed Speech Language Pathologist, Early Intervention Specialist, Child Care Trainer, and Former Family Child Care Owner

I work alongside teachers every day caring for children with developmental delays, feeding challenges, speech and language disorders, and more.

I kept hearing the same thing: "Our trainings don't teach us this." So I created trainings that do! 

No fluff. Just practical strategies designed to fit naturally into everyday routines with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers
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Get your training hours

Frequently Asked Questions:
start your own program

Opening a Child Care Facility in Arkansas

  • Licensing for child care centers, licensed and registered child care family homes, and out-of-school time programs in Arkansas is administered by the Arkansas Department of Education, Office of Early Childhood.
  • The best first step is to contact your licensing agency. They can give you the most accurate, up-to-date requirements, rules, and regulations.

 
  • Arkansas Professional Development Registry: (888) 429-1585
  • Visit the Arkansas PDR and learn more about training requirements.