Trainer and Training Approval
All training offered and taken for child care training hours must be approved by the Growing Futures Registry in order to count toward licensing renewal.
UPDATE! Are you a Growing Futures member who has completed training out-of-state and would like that training added your Growing Futures record? We’ll be happy to do that for members if the training was approved by the early childhood professional development system in the state where the training was held or was provided by one of the following organizations:
• Accredited higher education or vocational education institutions
• U.S. government or military
• National Head Start training programs
Simply complete the Individual Request for Child Care Training Form and send it to the Growing Futures Registry along with proof that you successfully completed the training.
The purpose of the Training and Trainer Approval system is to promote quality training opportunities statewide and to increase consistency in training delivered to the early care and education workforce. Through the Growing Futures approval process, all training accepted for license renewal as well as for placement on the Career Pathways follows the same approval criteria. An important criterion for training approval is that the trainers who present the training must be pre-approved to do so.
The Growing Futures Registry is the central clearinghouse of receiving and approving trainer and training requests, tracking approved training, maintaining the Trainer Registry of approved trainers, and making information about approved training available to the early care and education community statewide
Approval Process
Trainers and training sponsoring organizations who are interested in offering training must first submit a request for training approval to the Growing Futures Registry. Because all training must be delivered by an approved trainer, it is highly recommended that trainers join the Trainer Registry prior to submitting requests for training approval. Training and trainer approval forms are submitted online—no paper forms are accepted. The Registry system is email driven: trainers and training sponsoring organizations must provide and maintain a current email address with the Registry.
Trainers
Trainers are approved for a 2-year period, and they are approved to train topics in their area of expertise only. Approved trainers must have a current resume or CV on file. Trainers must also agree to abide by the standards identified in the "Ethical Obligations and Professional Responsibilities for Trainers" document. Approved trainers are issued a trainer ID# and assigned to a trainer level. Trainers receive a Certificate of Approval that shows the start/expiration dates of approval. Once approved, trainers may choose to place their name and contact information on the Trainer Directory to be available to organizations seeking approved trainers. Trainers are expected to maintain current contact information with the Registry. Continued approval status is dependent on the trainer's commitment to upholding the standards and following the procedures of the Growing Futures system.
The Registry has developed two separate application forms for Trainer Approval:
ECE Trainer
An ECE Trainer is an individual in the field of early care and education who has specific education in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, and who presents training on these topics. ECE Trainers must also have experience and knowledge of group child care settings and familiarity with the standards of care accepted in North Dakota, including but not limited to ND Licensing Rules, Core Competencies, Early Learning Guidelines, and the Growing Futures Professional Development System. ECE Trainers must themselves be members of the Growing Futures Registry prior to being approved to train. Apply to become an approved ECE Trainer.
Non- ECE Trainer
A Non-ECE Trainer is an individual who has expertise in a field that has application to early care and education, and who presents training on that specific area of expertise. Non-ECE Trainers must have demonstrated knowledge and experience in the topic area they present. Non-ECE Trainers are not required to be Registry members. Apply to become an approved non-ECE Trainer.
Training
Training is approved for one-time delivery and submitted for approval each time the class is delivered. Training delivered in any format other than a conference or special event requires an approved trainer or training entity. Training topics must support the North Dakota Core Competencies for Early Education and Care, and they must be directly applicable to the field of early care and education. Training requests must be for a minimum of one hour of actual training time (breaks are not included) and in increments of 30 minutes (e.g. 1 hr., 1.5 hrs., 2 hrs., etc.). Approved training is entered in the Registry database to be promoted through the online Training Calendar and added to the official training record of training attendees.
The Registry has developed the following forms and documents for Training Approval:
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If you are submitting a traditional training in which the training is led by a trainer(s) in a classroom-type setting (face-to-face, online or IVN/Polycom), with one main topic, and a specific start/end date and time.
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If you are submitting a training event that offers attendees multiple sessions to choose from (e.g. conferences, full day trainings with breakouts, etc.) with a variety of topics and presenters OR your organization is bringing in a one-time presenter.
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If you have attended an accepted out-of-state event or conference and wish to have it added to your Growing Futures Professional Development training record. DO NOT USE THIS FORM TO REQUEST TRAINING HOURS FOR VIDEOS, READING ARTICLES OR BOOKS, OR OTHER NON-TRAINING ACTIVITIES.
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