Professional Development

At Child Care Aware of Kansas, we believe that child care providers are professionals who deserve respect, support, and a sustainable career path.

We want you to grow your business, manage your time effectively, and earn more money — allowing you to support your own family and improve your personal well-being. To help you reach this goal, we offer courses designed for busy child care professionals to meet licensing and training requirements. 

Education Opportunities

First Aid & CPR
Request a First Aid & CPR Training
People learning how to safe a life when the baby is choked sitting together with instructor during the first aid training indoors

We want to bring training to providers that do not have or have few opportunities to attend a training locally. Your response will be utilized to inform future training offerings.

Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential
using careering pathway

Child Care Aware of Kansas offers professional development courses so you can complete your requirements for the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or a CDA renewal. 

Virtual and In-Person Learning
mother holds her daughter while taking notes at her dining table serving as a temporary remote work from home station with breast pump in foreground.

We offer many training courses and classes — both online and in-person — for child care providers across the state. Our courses provide a variety of engaging topics designed specifically for the early childhood professional. 

The Legacy Scholarship

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The Legacy Scholarship, in honor of Leadell Ediger, is a needs-based, reimbursement educational scholarship. The Legacy Scholarship is designed to fulfill a financial gap for a child care professional(s) wanting to obtain an early childhood certificate through a Kansas community college. The Legacy Scholarship will support early care and education providers in their efforts to provide quality child care services, and expand providers’ knowledge of child development by connecting them with continuing education opportunities.

New Providers: How to Get Started

happy teacher with children eating in kindergarten

If you or someone you know is considering a career in early child care and education, these resources offer guidance on topics, including choosing the right role, meeting licensing requirements, and setting up a daily routine. 

Kansas/Missouri Core Competencies

Core Competencies are what you need to know to provide children and youth with quality activities and interactions. The Core Competencies are organized into eight Content Areas, each providing specific standards that help professionals learn to fully include children from various backgrounds and with diverse needs and abilities. 

(Spanish: Competencias Básicas)

Professional Organizations

As a child care provider, you may feel isolated from other adults in the field. Consider joining one of these
professional organizations for in-person and virtual networking.