Delaware Approved Child Care Training | Online CEUs for Early Childhood Educators

Delaware approved child care 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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Speech-language pathologist preparing child care training materials for early childhood educators
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Browse all live and self paced professional learning for Delaware child care providers

Trainings you'll actually want to finish

Bridging Child Development is an approved training organization in Delaware

We provide child care training for early childhood educators across Delaware, so you can meet your annual professional development requirements with strategies you'll actually use.

Delaware Child Care Training Requirements

Everything You Need To Know:

Annual Training Hours by Role

Delaware child care staff complete ongoing professional development under DELACARE — the state's licensing regulations framework, administered by the Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL).
Required hours depend on your role and program type:
Role: Family Child Care — Homes | Annual training: At least 12 clock hours, including 1 hour of health/safety (within the first year of being licensed)
Role: Child Care Centers — 25+ hours/week | Annual training: 18 clock hours, including 2 hour of health/safety 
Role: Child Care Centers — under 25 hours/week | Annual training: 9 clock hours, including 1 hour of health/safety 
Role: Early Childhood Intern | Annual training: At least 15 clock hours 

Delaware Professional Development Topics:

Delaware requires providers to complete training across a minimum of 3 of these topic areas each year as part of their professional development plan:

  • Child Development

  • Observation & Assessment

  • Family & Community

  • Environment & Curriculum

  • Professionalism

  • Management & Administration

  • Health, Safety, Physical Activity & Nutrition

  • Disability Non-Discrimination & Accommodations

  • Positive Behavior Supports / Social-Emotional Development

Delaware's Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL) recognizes training from IACET-accredited providers, and we're also a recognized organization through the National Workforce Registry Alliance.

Looking to Advance Your Career?

Beyond completing your annual professional development hours, many Delaware early childhood educators continue growing through Delaware Stars for Early Success and the Delaware Early Childhood Career Lattice.

Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DAEYC)

The Delaware Association for the Education of Young Children (DAEYC) is Delaware's affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and has supported the state's early childhood community since 1969. Through education, advocacy, and collaboration, DAEYC works to strengthen high-quality early learning opportunities for children throughout Delaware.

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
Speech-language pathologist working on professional development resources for early childhood educators

Get your Training Hours

Frequently Asked Questions:
start your own program

Opening a Child Care Program in Delaware

  • Delaware licenses five types of child care facilities — centers, family child care homes, large family child care homes, child placing agencies, and residential programs. Each has its own application process, staffing requirements, and DELACARE compliance standards.
  • The first step is to attend an OCCL information session and orientation. From there, the Delaware Department of Education, Office of Child Care Licensing guides you through the full application process.
 
  • Office of Child Care Licensing (OCCL), Delaware Department of Education
    Email: occl.doe@doe.k12.de.us
    Phone: 302-892-5800 (New Castle County) · 302-739-5487 (Kent & Sussex Counties)
  • Visit OCCL to learn more about opening a child care facility in Delaware.  Click here