Welcome, Child Care Providers

 

Looking for the Training Program Directors and Instructors page? Click HERE.

Child Care Provider training consists of 16 hours of training for first-time licensees.  The hours of training must be completed as follows:

    • 4 hours of Pediatric First Aid
    • 4 hours of Pediatric CPR/AED
    • 8 hours of Preventive Health and Safety Training

Every two (2) years, child care providers must renew their training by completing 4 hours of pediatric First Aid and 4 hours of pediatric CPR.

If an instructor provides a course in fewer hours than required, the training is not in compliance with the law.  Report this to EMSA by sending us a message at ChildCare@emsa.ca.gov.

Before agreeing to pay for a training course in pediatric First Aid, Pediatric CPR, or Preventive Health practices, ask to see the training program or instructors certification card or other documents authorizing them to train child care providers.

Find a Training Program Near You!

Click HERE for First Aid & CPR Training
Click HERE for Preventive Health & Safety Training

Please contact the programs directly for their course offerings.

The EMSA does not schedule or register participants for classes.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should my child care training be?

  • Training should be a total of 16 hours. It is broken down into four hours of pediatric First Aid, four hours of pediatric CPR and eight hours of Preventive Health and Safety practices.
 

Can I take shortened class in pediatric first and and CPR since I am only renewing my training?

  • No. The training for pediatric First Aid and CPR is required to be a total of 8 hours, four hours each, every time a child care provider retakes the courses. Pediatric First Aid and CPR must be repeated every two years.
 

Can I take online courses for the 16 hours of training?

  • Preventive Health and Safety: Virtual, in-person, or a hybrid of the two environments.
  • First Aid & CPR: In-Person, or hybrid with virtual lecture and in-person skills practice and testing.
  • NOTE: Video recordings may only be used as a supplement to live instruction and may not replace the presence of a live instructor for any training course. 
 

Can I take my pediatric first aid and CPR training from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association? If so, do I need the EMSA stickers on their course completion cards?

  • Yes, you can take pediatric First Aid and CPR training from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. No, an EMSA sticker should not be on the American Red Cross or American Heart Association completion cards. It is illegal for the EMSA Stickers to be placed on these cards.
 

Can I take my preventive health and safety practices training from the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association?

  • Preventive Health and Safety practices courses must be taken through an EMSA-approved program.
 

Are there any other organizations where I can take my training?

  • Yes, you can also take your pediatric First Aid and CPR training and Preventive Health and Safety practices training from an accredited college or university. You will not need an EMSA sticker for these courses. You will need a transcript to prove to Child Care Licensing that you have taken college courses.
 

If my training was shortened, what should I do?

  • The EMS Authority monitors approved courses for compliance with the laws governing child care training. Please report problems of shortened EMSA approved child care training to:
 

Personnel Standards Unit
ChildCare@emsa.ca.gov

What if my training was shortened from either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association?

  • If you have received shortened child care first aid and CPR training from either the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, you should report these issues to their main offices. You can find their numbers on their websites.
 

If I have a question regarding licensing issues with my day care homes or center, do I call EMSA?

 

Contact the Child Care Program Unit!

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