Child Care Foundational Training

All registration happens in the PDS Online. For guidance on how to register, you can read the CCFT PDS Online User Guide or watch the short video below.

Below is a list of all CCFT course descriptions, including the total number of training hours required for each course. Depending on the course and session, these hours may be completed entirely through instructor-led training or through a combination of instructor-led training and asynchronous online learning activities. Because the number of instructor-led hours varies by session, please review the session information in PDS Online before registering to understand the requirements for the specific offering you select.

Introduction to the Child Care Profession (45 Hours)
Provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children. Content includes exploring a variety of early care and education settings, including group and family child care. Learners explore rules and regulations governing group and family child care and the responsibilities of early care and education professionals. Practices and strategies will be explored to reflect the individual needs of children and families in Wisconsin.

Introducción a la Profesión del Cuidado Infantil (45 Hours)
Proporciona capacitación básica sobre conocimientos y habilidades para las personas que están comenzando su profesión como cuidadores de niños o que están considerando dedicarse a esto. El contenido incluye la exploración de una variedad de entornos de cuidados y educación de la primera infancia, incluido el cuidado infantil grupal y familiar. Los alumnos exploran las normas y los reglamentos que rigen el cuidado infantil grupal y familiar, y las responsabilidades de los profesionales de la educación y del cuidado infantil. Se explorarán prácticas y estrategias que reflejen las diversas necesidades de los niños y las familias de Wisconsin.

Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher (45 Hours)
The Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher class will prepare individuals to be successful in the role of a lead child care teacher in a child care setting. This will be accomplished by thoroughly examining the subjects of curriculum planning and activity selection in a developmentally appropriate early childhood environment. Additional topics to be covered include exploring strategies to involve parents and the role of observation in a developmentally appropriate program. Child guidance and professionalism are also further developed.

Habilidades y Estrategias para Maestros de Cuidado Infantil (45 Hours)
La clase de Habilidades y Estrategias para Docentes de Cuidado Infantil preparará a las personas para desempeñar correctamente la función de docente titular de cuidado infantil en un entorno de cuidado infantil. Esto se logrará examinando a fondo los temas del currículo y la selección de actividades en un entorno de primera infancia apropiado para el desarrollo. Otros temas que se tratarán son la exploración de estrategias para involucrar a los padres y el papel de la observación en un programa adecuado al desarrollo. También se profundiza en la orientación infantil y la profesionalidad.

Fundamentals of Family Child Care (30 Hours)
Provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children in a home setting. Content includes exploring the basics of family child care from foundational business practices to intentionally planning to support growth and development for mixed-age groups. Learners explore rules and regulations governing family child care businesses and programming. Practices and strategies will be explored to reflect the needs of children and families in Wisconsin.

Fundamentos del Cuidado Infantil Familiar (30 Hours)
Proporciona capacitación básica sobre conocimientos y habilidades para las personas que están comenzando su profesión como cuidadores de niños o consideran una carrera en el cuidado de niños en el hogar. El contenido incluye la exploración de los fundamentos del cuidado infantil familiar, desde las prácticas empresariales fundamentales hasta la planificación intencionada para apoyar el crecimiento y el desarrollo de grupos en edades mixtas. Los alumnos exploran las normas y los reglamentos que rigen los negocios y programas de cuidado infantil familiar. Se explorarán prácticas y estrategias que reflejen las necesidades de los niños y las familias de Wisconsin.

Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care (45 Hours)
Provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children in the infant and toddler age groups. Content includes exploring infant and toddler care within a relationship-based approach with an emphasis on providing learning experiences within caregiving routines and play-based experiences. A particular emphasis will be on partnering with families in support of infant and toddler development and on reflecting family practices within infant and toddler settings and practices.

Fundamentos del Cuidado de Bebés y Niños Pequeños (45 Hours)
Proporciona capacitación básica sobre conocimientos y habilidades para las personas que están comenzando su profesión como cuidadores de niños en los grupos de edad de bebés y niños pequeños. El contenido incluye la exploración del cuidado de bebés y niños pequeños dentro de un enfoque basado en las relaciones con énfasis en proporcionar experiencias de aprendizaje dentro de las rutinas de cuidados y las experiencias basadas en el juego. Se hará especial hincapié en la colaboración con las familias para apoyar el desarrollo de los bebés y los niños pequeños, y en reflejar las prácticas familiares en los entornos y prácticas de los bebés y los niños pequeños.

Principles of Child Care Certification (45 Hours)
Provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children in a home setting. Content includes exploring the basics of family child care, intentionally planning to support growth, development, health, and safety for mixed-age groups, and foundational business practices. Learners explore rules and regulations governing family child care businesses and programming. Practices and strategies will be explored to reflect the needs of children and families in Wisconsin.

A SharePoint site link has been emailed to all certified Child Care Foundational Training trainers. There, you can access the latest approved CCFT course materials to help ensure consistency and quality across all sessions. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us via email at pdn-mke@uwm.edu

This recorded Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) Trainer Webinar from April 27th, 2026, provides important updates for CCFT trainers. During this 45-minute session, trainers learn about the transition to the Professional Development Network (PDN), receive updates from DCF regarding curriculum materials, and hear responses to trainer questions about next steps and implementation. This webinar is intended to support trainers during the transition process and ensure continued consistency in CCFT delivery.