Caregiver Development Unit Program
Recognizing and Celebrating Caregivers’ Commitment to Professional Growth and Quality Child Care Service
“We must assist providers by raising the standards of acceptable practices for child care. By promoting (this program) providers receive continual training. Which benefits everyone.” --Marion McCoubrey, Loudoun Child Care Network
This program was developed in collaboration with the Virginia Cooperative Extension, Loudoun Office in 1993. The objective is to encourage child care providers to continue their education and training in child care matters. This program is a major way in which the LCCN realizes its goal of “increasing the number of regulated child care providers with access to continued training and resources”.
By participating in this program, child care providers can gain current knowledge and skills to enhance their care giving of children and is an important way to communicate to others (particularly parents) a commitment to professionalism.
The program was devised to enable participants to be awarded Caregiver Development Units (CDUs) by participating in the following activities:
Proudly Display Your LCCN CDU Plaques
Show parents you are committed to providing the highest quality care for their children.
How to Earn CDU Credits
- Participation in or attendance at professional meetings, in-service programs and workshops
- One (1) CDU per contact hour is awarded for attendance as a participant or member of the audience. As an example, attendance at a 3 hour seminar would qualify for 3 CDUs. CDUs are not given for attendance at the same presentation a second time. Certificate of recognition or verification of registration should be submitted with the quarterly report form.
- Two (2) CDUs per contact hour are awarded the first time you make a presentation on a topic in your field at a meeting or workshop. For example, a 1 hour presentation would qualify for 2 CDUs. Submit lesson plan as documentation along with the quarterly report form.
- Displaying educational exhibits on child care at professional meetings
- Two (2) CDUs are awarded for displaying an educational exhibit related to child care at a professional meeting. Develop a summary of the exhibit content and include with quarterly report form.
- Self study, including books, audio, video, teleconference, and periodicals
- One CDU will be awarded for each three hours of self study up to a maximum of 9 CDUs per program. Self study programs may include books, audio, video, teleconference, periodicals related to child care. A one page self study summary should be submitted along with the quarterly report form.
- Child care association membership
- Membership in a child care association warrants three (3) CDUs up to receiving a maximum of 9 CDUs.
- Academic courses taken for credit by correspondence or under the sanction of a college or university
- Academic courses related to child care taken for credit, by correspondence, or audited under the sanction of a college or university are automatically approved for CDUs. A passing grade must be earned in courses taken for credit. Required documentation is an official transcript or grade report submitted with quarterly report form.
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Credit
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Audit
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1 semester hour (15 weeks)
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15 CDUs
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8 CDUs
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1 quarter hour (10 weeks)
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10 CDUs
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5 CDUs
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- Non-credit courses offered by community continuing education programs
- Noncredit courses offered by community continuing education programs are eligible for CDUs if the content enhances one’s professional development. Acceptable examples might include training or courses related to family or child development, CPR, and or First Aid. Acceptable documentation includes a verification of registration, course outline, final evaluation, certificate of completion, or cancelled registration check. One CDU is awarded for each hour of class instruction.
The final report cycle ends June 30, and recognition of CDU Award recipients will be at the Loudoun Child Care Provider Conference held in the fall.
CDU Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When are the ending dates for report periods?
A: The report periods end September 30, December 31, March 31, and June 30.
Q: Should I send a certificate or documentation for conferences attended?
A: Yes, attach a copy of your certificate or conference registration information to your quarterly report form. For training attended such as CPR and First Aid, a copy of the card is sufficient.
Q: Should the article read be submitted as part of reporting requirements for self study?
A: No, only a 1 page summary should be submitted.
Q: Are modules considered self-study?
A: Yes, modules are generally recognized as self-study, thus every 3 hours of study are equal to 1 CDU. Submit a 1 page summary as documentation. However, if you are participating in a Module for Continuing Education Units through a University, a CEU is equivalent to 1 CDU. Submit the CEU Certificate as documentation.
Q: Am I limited to 9 CDUs for self-study?
A: Yes and no. Self-study is limited to 9 CDUs in the first 20 CDUs to encourage a variety of continuing education activities to obtain recognition in the CDU Program. However, if a provider has obtained the 20 CDUs, additional self study activities may be reported.
Q: Will my records be maintained, if I do not continue to report activities?
A: Records of a provider will not be maintained in the data base if reporting is discontinued.
CDU Forms
Click here to download a sample form or our quarterly reporting form. Filling this out will guarantee you get your CDU Credits. |