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What Should I Expect from Online Child Care Training?

Sheri Cyprus
Sheri Cyprus

If you're planning on taking online child care training, you should expect convenience, as many early childhood education programs offered today can be taken solely on a distance basis using a computer. However, it's also your responsibility to make sure that the online child care training you take meets the exact government requirements of your country, region and area. You should also consider how you will take exams.

Some online child care training programs require you to take exams outside your home, even though the rest of the courses are to be completed from your preferred location. This could be a problem if you can't leave dependents or if you're expected to find a proctor and don't know of anyone. A proctor is a person who will supervise you while you take an exam. A suitable proctor, according to your school, may be a librarian or principal. There are usually forms that must be signed by both you and your proctor that must be returned to the school far in advance of the exam.

Man holding computer
Man holding computer

Before registering at a particular school, you can contact different schools and ask questions about exam procedures. It's important to check how different schools calculate grades on quizzes, exams and assignments to make up the final grade. Some online child care training courses have a great deal of emphasis on theory. If essays are your strong point, this type may be best. If not, look for online classes with marks dispersed among discussions, quizzes and other activities.

The more information you can get before you sign up for online child care training, the better you'll know what to expect. Being prepared to choose training that meets your government's requirements for child care providers as well as your preferred learning approach can help you succeed in your studies. By taking online classes, you should expect your own motivation to be high as you won't have set class times; if you can't use your time wisely, in-person courses may be better.

As far as learning content in online child care training, you should expect the same material offered in in-person classes. The material typically covers the development and needs of children from newborn to 12 years of age. You can expect to learn about the typical growth and learning stages children experience at different ages. Understanding the mental, emotional and physical characteristics of children can help you as a child care provider support each child you look after. Safety will be an issue that will be emphasized in your child care training.

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