Do Any Of You Take ALOT Of Trainings

[Country Kids]

In the next two months I have the opportunity to take 13 different trainings. I love, love, love to learn and love to take trainings/classes to help me with childcare.

Down fall is thats 13 evenings/Saturdays that I'm away from my family. Some are an hours drive as thats where the main office is and they offer wonderful classes there. We struggle to get good classes for our area. In a way though its kinda like "me" time and something I enjoy. I take at least one training a month sometimes two depending on whats available.

Would you go for it or not?

[grandmom]

My state requires 10 hours a year.

I take about 25.

[Country Kids]

We have to have 4 hours a year. This year I'm probably already up to 20.

Maybe I'll suggest they do some on non-nappers! That is one training I've never seen done and the one I need the most-

[dave4him]

Does taking six courses toward my AA degree in Early Childhood education between now and May count? Because that is the training ahead of me

[Crystal]

Yes. I would do it.

1. "me" time is important, and if you feel this is how you get yours, you should do it

2. Taking trainings that are based on "current" research are very valuable tools to have under your belt

3. I find taking trainings to be refreshing, rejuvinating and good sources of networking with other professionals and making new friends who can relate to the ins and outs of your day

4. I just like it. And that's all the reason I NEED!

[crazydaycarelady]

Honestly, I take the minimum required.

There are several reasons but the first being that I already commit 11 hours per day to this job. The LAST thing I want to do is go to an evening class and talk about it more. But part of it might also be the trainings offerred here. I found that a lot of them were being taught by college girls who haven't spent a day with kids and they were so impractical. One suggested a good activity would be to make mud and let the kids spread it all over the outdoor play equipment. Really? Another taught us to make dream catchers. Again really? Half the women couldn't even figure the project out and we are supposed to do this with prechoolers? The last lecture was about a women who had brain cancer. While her story was interesting it had NOTHING not. one. thing. to do with childcare.

[LK5kids]

Originally Posted by Crystal

Yes. I would do it.

1. "me" time is important, and if you feel this is how you get yours, you should do it

2. Taking trainings that are based on "current" research are very valuable tools to have under your belt

3. I find taking trainings to be refreshing, rejuvinating and good sources of networking with other professionals and making new friends who can relate to the ins and outs of your day

4. I just like it. And that's all the reason I NEED!

I agree....I LOVE trainings but 13 is a lot!

[nanglgrl]

I take the minimum. In Iowa that's 12 hours but since I'm certified in Childnet and QRS I have to take 16 on top of CPR and MANDT. 2 have to be on health and safety but they are letting our food program count towards that for now. 6 have to be in a group setting and that's the part I don't like. Our main office is nearby so a lot of classes are accessible to me and CCRR charges less than $10 a class. I usually pay more for classes offered online through approved agencies because I feel like I get more out of them. The ladies that teach ours at CCRR are knowledgeable for the most part and some have even done daycare but they "dumb down" the classes do much it makes me want to slam my head into the table. They have to do this I think because a majority of providers have no more than a high school education or less (not judging just saying). When I've taken their classes it's obvious why they have to teach it at what seems to be an 8th grade level. I think there is such a thing as a stupid question, at least from an adult who should know better and I just want to scream "listen when she answers you so you don't keep asking the same question over and over again! The answers not going to change just because you reworded the question!" Sorry this ended up being my rant!

[momofsix]

The only way I would recommend you take all those training is if it something that is truly relaxing and enjoyable for you.
You've already got so much going on that I would really hesitate to add anything else to your schedule otherwise

[6colleen]

30 hours in Texas!!! 20% instructor led, 80% self directed. CPR, 1st aide not included.

[Country Kids]

Originally Posted by momofsix

The only way I would recommend you take all those training is if it something that is truly relaxing and enjoyable for you.
You've already got so much going on that I would really hesitate to add anything else to your schedule otherwise

Thats the thing I have sooooo much going on but nothing for me-literally nothing.

I was invited to a zumba class 2 nights a week but it starts right at 5:30 and I usually have kids till 5:20-5:30 and then for another two weeks we have the paper route. Also, I HATE walking into anything late so I wouldn't get there there till 5:45 or so once the routes done but I just hate that.

[Lucy]

Originally Posted by Country Kids

We have to have 4 hours a year. This year I'm probably already up to 20.

Maybe I'll suggest they do some on non-nappers! That is one training I've never seen done and the one I need the most-

It's 8 hours. Unless your county is different than mine. But I thought it was according to the STATE. I know that I have to take 8 hours. The classes are usually 2 hours each, so 4 classes... but 8 hours total. Plus First Aid, and plus Foodhandler's.

[Country Kids]

Originally Posted by Lucy

It's 8 hours. Unless your county is different than mine. But I thought it was according to the STATE. I know that I have to take 8 hours. The classes are usually 2 hours each, so 4 classes... but 8 hours total. Plus First Aid, and plus Foodhandler's.

I have to have 8 hours every two years so I figure 4 hours a year. Is getting easier to get those 8 hours as we have a great provider network now and we get about an hour a month in trainings 10 months of the year!

[Cat Herder]

I take every class offered to me. I love them

BUT I pay to take mine online since my CCR&R only offers the "good ones" (as opposed to "Making puppets with tp rolls 101" ) 2.5 hours away and during the work week

I completed 138 hours so far this year. Now I need them to update the course catalog!! I am bored waiting. It is my mental stimulation for the day.

I have started peeking at my local colleges continuing ed dept, too. Being trapped at home is dulling my spirit this year....I am restless.

All the DCK's have become too self sufficient and I have three more years with this group.

[Cat Herder]

Originally Posted by nanglgrl

I usually pay more for classes offered online through approved agencies because I feel like I get more out of them. The ladies that teach ours at CCRR are knowledgeable for the most part and some have even done daycare but they "dumb down" the classes do much it makes me want to slam my head into the table. !

I can so relate.

Even with the online ones, I can often mute the lecture and still score 100% on the test.

About once every 3 lectures will I hear something sightly "new". Some are so laughingly outdated, but still mandatory, it is no wonder newer providers are so confused on "up to date" discipline procedures.

[Meeko]

Originally Posted by nanglgrl

I take the minimum. In Iowa that's 12 hours but since I'm certified in Childnet and QRS I have to take 16 on top of CPR and MANDT. 2 have to be on health and safety but they are letting our food program count towards that for now. 6 have to be in a group setting and that's the part I don't like. Our main office is nearby so a lot of classes are accessible to me and CCRR charges less than $10 a class. I usually pay more for classes offered online through approved agencies because I feel like I get more out of them. The ladies that teach ours at CCRR are knowledgeable for the most part and some have even done daycare but they "dumb down" the classes do much it makes me want to slam my head into the table. They have to do this I think because a majority of providers have no more than a high school education or less (not judging just saying). When I've taken their classes it's obvious why they have to teach it at what seems to be an 8th grade level. I think there is such a thing as a stupid question, at least from an adult who should know better and I just want to scream "listen when she answers you so you don't keep asking the same question over and over again! The answers not going to change just because you reworded the question!" Sorry this ended up being my rant!

So with you on this one!

After 27 years of hearing the same things over and over and over.........I now take the minimum (20 hours a years). I go to the rules book trainings as it helps keep up to date with changing regs and covers all the required topics of study.

I remember going to one class a few years back. The teacher was a 20-something college student with no children and no childcare experience, trying very hard to make her class interesting for a group of middle-aged providers who were all veterans in childcare.

The main emphasis of the class was interacting with babies and how it's important they get some one on one and stimulation (duh)

The poor teacher was pushing about how we need to be alert and focused on the babies.

One poor provider just snapped! She said "Honey, we've all been at this for years. Some of us before you were even born. I mean no offense, but most of us have been up since before dawn. We worked a 12 hour shift and then we had to PAY to come here and take a class that tells us we need to be alert. It's late. I would BE alert tomorrow if I was home in bed where I belong and didn't have to take this class!"

I felt a bit sorry for the teacher, but everyone in the class agreed. The girl was talking to us as if she was teaching a group of 12 year olds the "basics of babysitting" class that kids can take.

I have a very busy life. Every minute I can share with my family is precious to me. So training classes are low on my list of priorities after a long day and I refuse to give up my weekends.

I read a lot, I research on the internet. I have learned more from just reading this forum that I have in any class in a long time!

Just my two cents worth!

[nanglgrl]

Originally Posted by Meeko

So with you on this one!

After 27 years of hearing the same things over and over and over.........I now take the minimum (20 hours a years). I go to the rules book trainings as it helps keep up to date with changing regs and covers all the required topics of study.

I remember going to one class a few years back. The teacher was a 20-something college student with no children and no childcare experience, trying very hard to make her class interesting for a group of middle-aged providers who were all veterans in childcare.

The main emphasis of the class was interacting with babies and how it's important they get some one on one and stimulation (duh)

The poor teacher was pushing about how we need to be alert and focused on the babies.

One poor provider just snapped! She said "Honey, we've all been at this for years. Some of us before you were even born. I mean no offense, but most of us have been up since before dawn. We worked a 12 hour shift and then we had to PAY to come here and take a class that tells us we need to be alert. It's late. I would BE alert tomorrow if I was home in bed where I belong and didn't have to take this class!"

I felt a bit sorry for the teacher, but everyone in the class agreed. The girl was talking to us as if she was teaching a group of 12 year olds the "basics of babysitting" class that kids can take.

I have a very busy life. Every minute I can share with my family is precious to me. So training classes are low on my list of priorities after a long day and I refuse to give up my weekends.

I read a lot, I research on the internet. I have learned more from just reading this forum that I have in any class in a long time!

Just my two cents worth!

That's funny! I had to renew my CPR/1st Aide a couple of years back and had to do it through the Red Cross because the place I usually take it was full. All of the people in the class were childcare providers and like me all of them had been certified in CPR/1st Aide at least a handful of times. He was including all sorts of silly things like wearing the mask when you do CPR...yeah, not going to happen. If a child in my care stops breathing I'm not going to be thinking about protecting myself from possible disease, I'm going to be thinking about getting the child to breathe. I still sat and listened as he went through tons of stuff that daycare providers don't need to know and taught the class as if we were all newbies and 10 years old at that but then (i think after sensing everyone's boredom and seeing a few people roll their eyes) he decided that we needed to repeat every word he said. I flat out refused. When he noticed I wasn't repeating him he called me out on it as if I were a child. I was about 4 months pregnant at the time and I faked contractions told him I thought I was in early labor and quickly left. I could tell by a few of the other ladies that they knew I was faking but they were trying to think of another out for themselves! I'm not kidding. It's impossible for me to adequately convey how pompous and arrogant this teacher was. I'm normally one to respect my elders and suck it up but I wanted to kick this guy in the shin.

[daycarediva]

I HATE ccr&r classes with a passion! They are ALWAYS offered on weekends (like I don't give up enough of my time) by people with less qualifications than I have, discussing the same thing they did the last 5 years dumbed down so that my 7 year old could understand it.

The last class I attended was about nutrition. The lady teaching it was obese and most of the providers were just asking about how to get paid more. I actually wanted to LEARN about nutrition. Instead I ended up saying something snarky (and admittedly inappropriate about how I had to practice what I preach because children listen more to what you do than what you say as the instructor ate her snickers and I ate my fresh veggies and hummus during break) and got myself a pop inspection the very next day.

[jojosmommy]

I have mixed feelings on this.

I have to take 125 hrs to renew my teaching lic every 5 yrs.

I am totally ok with doing the requirements and am a "life long learner" as they say. BUT I hate with a passion sitting in on a class in the evening or on the weekends on some pointless crap just because the state (for my teaching lic) or my county (for daycare) deems necessary.

I also hate that our CCRR has not had anything new for years. Except stupid theme classes. I do not do theme crap. I don't want to go to someones house to learn about how to teach kids a month on "farm animals" I can research that in 2 minutes on the internet; if I was going to do themes in the first place which dont get me started on that. I do not ever see anything new from those types of classes.

I did once take a 32 hour class on Autism, early detection and PDD/NOS. Self paced via the internet with a few chat sessions. Taught by a real expert, not someone who has heard of this or this or bla bla bla. I loved it. Now if they only offered more like that.....

[kristine]

I would really love to go for it. If I just happen to live near..

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I was required to take 50 for my Directors certificate (one time thing), and I am required to take 30 hours yearly.

I really don't enjoy trainings away from my computer. I am tired on Saturdays and don't wish to sit through 8 hours of them. I have twice, though, and about fell asleep. Not that some of the little portions weren't good because they were, but they are long.

When I attended university for my EC-6th grade teaching degree I learned a lot more from experienced professors. Now, I feel like I listen to random people and it is hit or miss. I end up paying $5.00+ per hour.

[SquirrellyMama]

Originally Posted by nanglgrl

I take the minimum. In Iowa that's 12 hours but since I'm certified in Childnet and QRS I have to take 16 on top of CPR and MANDT. 2 have to be on health and safety but they are letting our food program count towards that for now. 6 have to be in a group setting and that's the part I don't like. Our main office is nearby so a lot of classes are accessible to me and CCRR charges less than $10 a class. I usually pay more for classes offered online through approved agencies because I feel like I get more out of them. The ladies that teach ours at CCRR are knowledgeable for the most part and some have even done daycare but they "dumb down" the classes do much it makes me want to slam my head into the table. They have to do this I think because a majority of providers have no more than a high school education or less (not judging just saying). When I've taken their classes it's obvious why they have to teach it at what seems to be an 8th grade level. I think there is such a thing as a stupid question, at least from an adult who should know better and I just want to scream "listen when she answers you so you don't keep asking the same question over and over again! The answers not going to change just because you reworded the question!" Sorry this ended up being my rant!

You have to pay for classes? When I was registered 6 yrs ago we didn't pay for classes. The CCRR office that was close to me closed and it is now in DSM. I think most of the classes are there. I decided to register again so I could maybe take another child next year but I'm not sure if it is worth it.

[youretooloud]

Never anymore. I used to love it too, but it's hard to be away from the family for anything more than I already do.

But, in the 80s, all the food programs would get together and hold a day long workshop with classes, and trainings, and people would set up tables out in the lobby to sell their teaching supplies and books. It was fun! But, they stopped doing that about 15 years ago, and now you have to take one class here, or there, but not all in one place in one day.

I remember taking one class, where the teacher said "You should buy a video camera, tape the kids being bad, and then make them rewatch it so they can learn from their mistakes". That was back when video cameras were $600. Weirdo.

[nanglgrl]

Originally Posted by SquirrellyMama

You have to pay for classes? When I was registered 6 yrs ago we didn't pay for classes. The CCRR office that was close to me closed and it is now in DSM. I think most of the classes are there. I decided to register again so I could maybe take another child next year but I'm not sure if it is worth it.

Yes they just changed it a few months ago and all classes cost money through CCRR except the food program renewal meeting which counts for 2 of the 12-16 required hours but they've told us that the state may not except the food program class forever. On the upside the classes are cheap which I guess is a good thing since they are teaching me nothing.

[Country Kids]

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do as a new oportunity has landed in my lap.

The big city that I go to for some of my trainings have awesome, awesome classes (at least to me). Now I found out that I can go take those classes and then teach them here to the providers. I think that would be fun as I can add my own twist to this.

So it might just pay to go up, take the classes and then teach them here. Just a little bit more under my belt for experience in case I ever leave the field.

[wahmof3]

Originally Posted by Country Kids

I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to do as a new oportunity has landed in my lap.

The big city that I go to for some of my trainings have awesome, awesome classes (at least to me). Now I found out that I can go take those classes and then teach them here to the providers. I think that would be fun as I can add my own twist to this.

So it might just pay to go up, take the classes and then teach them here. Just a little bit more under my belt for experience in case I ever leave the field.

Oh, this would be so much FUN!!!! I would do it if I had the opportunity

[wahmof3]

I enjoy taking trainings. Except most of mine are 30-45 minute drive and offered on dates that don't work for me. Not to mention my DH works nights, so I need to make arrangements for my own kids.

Most of our trainings cost $$ too.

I am currently getting my ECE degree. I can't imagine trying to find more time for trainings & yep I am going to have to.

My state requires 6 hours training every year, but that will be bumped up to 8 soon.