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Get Connected to free online child care courses

June 27, 2018

By the U of A System Division of Agriculture

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LITTLE ROCK – Educators and those who provide child care can have access to a convenient, no-cost online resource for professional training through Best Care Connected and Guiding Children Successfully.

Childcare worker in nursery
Learning to give the best care

The Cooperative Extension Service, in partnership with the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, offers 43 hours of online professional development training for educators or caregivers of young children – all of it is research-based.

“The areas of emphasis include child development, health, nutrition, and resource management,” said Rachel Chaney, extension program associate for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “All training opportunities are offered free of charge and are verified training through the Professional Development Registry and support the Better Beginnings quality rating system.”

  • Best Care Connected provides five hours of online verified training annually. Best Care Connected current courses are available until Sept. 15, 2018. New courses will be available in October 2018. For more information about Best Care Connected, go to uaex.uada.edu/bestcareconnected.
  • Guiding Children Successfully is a self-guided training program offering up to 38 hours verified training online and in paper form. Participants are able to take these hours every four years.  New courses were added in January 2018. For more information about Guiding Children Successfully, go to www.uaex.uada.edu/guidingchildren.

The online course format includes interactive elements and audio recording. To access these online courses, go to the courses.uada.edu website. Once you log in, please click on the course category titled “Child Care Courses- PDR Eligible” to access the Best Care Connected and Guiding Children Successfully courses.

“Don't miss out on all the free training opportunities and resources available to child care professionals in Arkansas!” Chaney said.

For more information on all of our training opportunities, go to www.uaex.uada.edu/childcare.

The Cooperative Extension Service is the source for early childhood professional development opportunities. We encourage others interested in learning more about how to care for young children to visit your local county Cooperative Extension Service office.

About the Division of Agriculture

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.  

The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.   

The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

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Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu

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