SECTION 747.1305. What areas of training must the annual training for substitute and assistant caregivers cover?

(a) Each caregiver counted in the child/caregiver ratio on more than ten separate occasions in one training year, as specified in §747.1311 of this division (relating to When must the annual training be obtained?) must obtain annual training relevant to the age of the children for whom the caregiver provides care.

(b) At least six clock hours of the annual training hours must be in one or more of the following topics:

(1) Child growth and development;

(2) Guidance and discipline;

(3) Age-appropriate curriculum; and

(4) Teacher-child interaction.

(c) If your home provides care for a child younger than 24 months, one hour of the annual training hours must cover the following topics:

(1) Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma;

(2) Understanding and using safe sleep practices and preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); and

(3) Understanding early childhood brain development.

(d) While there are no clock hour requirements for the topics in this subsection, the annual training hours must also include training on the following topics:

(1) Emergency preparedness;

(2) Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations;

(3) Administering medication, if applicable, including compliance with §747.3603 of this chapter (relating to What authorization must I obtain before administering a medication to a child in my care?);

(4) Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction;

(5) Understanding building and physical premises safety, including identification and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; and

(6) Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials including compliance with §747.3221 of this chapter (relating to Must caregivers wear gloves when handling blood or bodily fluids containing blood?).

(e) The remaining annual training hours must be in one or more of the following topics:

(1) Care of children with special needs;

(2) Child health (for example, nutrition and physical activity);

(3) Safety;

(4) Risk management;

(5) Identification and care of ill children;

(6) Cultural diversity for children and families;

(7) Professional development (for example, effective communication with families and time and stress management);

(8) Topics relevant to the particular ages of children in care (for example, caregivers working with infants or toddlers should receive training on biting and toilet training);

(9) Planning developmentally appropriate learning activities;

(10) Observation and assessment;

(11) Attachment and responsive care giving; and

(12) Minimum standards and how they apply to the caregiver.

(f) For an assistant caregiver or substitute caregiver described in §747.1303(3)(B) of this division (relating to What training must I ensure that my caregivers have within certain timeframes?), at least three of the required 15 annual training hours must come from instructor-led training. The remaining 12 required annual training hours may come from self-instructional training, of which no more than three hours may come from self-study training.

(g) For an assistant caregiver or substitute caregiver described in §747.1303(4)(B) of this division, at least five of the required 24 annual training hours must come from instructor-led training. The remaining 19 required annual training hours may come from self-instructional training, of which no more than three hours may come from self-study training.

(h) Annual training is exclusive of any requirements for orientation, pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training, transportation safety training, and any training received through a high school child-care work-study program.

Source Note: The provisions of this §747.1305 adopted to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6250; amended to be effective April 15, 2017, 42 TexReg 1906; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909; amended to be effective October 8, 2018, 43 TexReg 6654; amended to be effective March 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 950