Child Care Training

The Child Care Training office at the Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice is the Training Coordinating Agency (TCA) for Broward County for the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF).

We provide state-mandated training and competency exams to Child Care providers to ensure quality care in early childhood education programs. To accomplish this, child care professionals must complete the minimum introductory training requirements, pass their competency exams, and further their education with annual in-service training for professional development.

Child Care Training Courses

Please find below the different Training and Credentialing Requirements

Child Care Facility
Licensed Family Day Care Home

In order to take courses, you need to register on the DCF portal. Courses can be taken online through the DCF portal or in person at NSU.

To register on the DCF Portal, visit http://childcare-training.myflfamilies.com.

If you have never visited this website, please create an account by clicking “New User” at the top of the page.
If you have visited this website before, enter “Email Address”, click “Continue” and enter “Password”.
NOTE: If you forget your password, please DO NOT create a new account. Instead, click on “Forgot Password” and a temporary password will be provided.
Once you log in, fill in any missing personal information or review that all your information is up to date, then, check the box confirming that your information is current, and proceed to “Save and Continue” at the bottom of the page.
Under the “Main Menu Page”, click on “Instructor Led or Online Courses Enroll/Unenroll”
1. For instructor led courses: modify your search criteria to meet your needs, click on “Next” at the bottom of the screen and follow the steps to register below:
  Steps to Register:
  
  Select the course by clicking on the circle to the left of the course details. Then click “next”.
  
  Select the module(s) you wish to take and click “next”.
  
  Review the course details. Be aware of time, date, and
  
  location. Then click “next”.
  
  A green checkmark will appear indicating your
  
  registration has been successful.
  
  Please call (954) 262-6905 to make payment.
2. For online courses: click the “Online Courses” tab at the top of the page and follow the steps to register below:
  Steps to Register:
  
  Select a Training Area from the drop-down menu.
  
  Select the course you wish to take by clicking the circle
  
  to the left of the module code. Click “next”.
  
  Review your selection and click “next”.
  
  A green checkmark will appear indicating your
  
  registration has been successful.
  
  Click on the “Pay for Courses” button below the green
  
  checkmark.
  
  Select “Nova Southeastern University” by clicking on the
  
  circle to the left. Click “next”.
  
  Select items you wish to pay. Then click “next”.
  
  Review your selection and click “next”.
  
  Fill in the payment information. All fields are required.
  
  Then click Make Payment.
  
  Note: To begin online courses, click on “Take or Resume Online Courses” under the Main Menu. Your course will be listed and can be started by clicking on the “Go to Course Button”.

Competency Exams

Passage of competency exams with a score of 70 or higher is required for successful completion of the State's training requirements.

Child Care Competency Exam Fact Sheet (English) (Spanish) includes important information about competency exams including scheduling, costs and payments, cancellation policies, required forms of identification, and special accommodations.

Personal Items Policy:

Purses, bags, backpacks, fanny packs, or any other type of bags are strictly prohibited in our exam sessions. Special arrangements can be made by calling (954)-262-6905 at least two days prior to exam date.
Cellphones, headphones, smartwatches, or any kind of electronic device are strictly prohibited in our exam sessions. Special arrangements can be made by calling (954)-262-6905 at least two days prior to exam date.

Cancellation / No-Show Policy:

If you need to cancel or make changes to an existing session, you must do so at least 7 days prior to the exam without a penalty. If a change needs to be made within 7 days, due to medical reasons, you will need to present a medical excuse to avoid penalty.
If you do not show up to your scheduled session, you will be responsible for the fees of the scheduled exams. Please keep in mind that you will have to pay for missed exams and re-scheduled exams.

Special Accommodations:

If you need special accommodations in order to participate in the child care training exams, please contact the NSU Office of Student Disability Services at (954) 262-7185 or disabilityservices@nova.edu.

Trauma Informed Care for Directors Course

The Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation is offering a new instructor-led course, Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Program Directors. The goal of this course is to assist child care programs in implementing trauma-informed care for families they serve. This is a multi-session course, which will require the completion of outside assignments and readings and 20-hour observation in a child care setting.

Upon completion of this course, child care program directors will form a community of practice and will be able to:

Recognize the signs of trauma impacting children
Examine the importance of self-care
Apply tools to help children regulate emotions and behaviors
Evaluate the physical learning environment for trauma-sensitive supports
Develop a plan for creating a trauma-sensitive program

The components of this course will meet the Professional Contribution requirement to renew the Director Credential and provide endorsement for Trauma Informed.

To learn about upcoming dates for this course, please call us at (954) 262 6905.

Questions? Contact Maria (Josie) Maymi at (954)262-6905 or mm1384@nova.edu.