8VAC20-781-140. Orientation Training

A. The licensee shall ensure that all staff who will work with children complete the preservice training sponsored by the Department within 90 calendar days of their date of employment.

RESPONSE:

We suggest the 10 hour video training course be shortened to 5 or 6 hours and furthermore, give staff who work at non-subsidy schools the ability to “opt out” of the chapters on subsidy training.

B. The center shall provide orientation training to all staff who work with children.  The orientation training must be completed after receiving the fingerprint background results and by such staff prior to staff working alone with a child and within seven days of the staff member’s date of employment.  The orientation training shall include all the following facility specific topics:

RESPONSE:

We suggest giving centers the ability to immediately begin this training after receiving the fingerprint background check clearance.

1. Job responsibilities and to whom the staff member reports;

2. Recognizing child abuse and neglect and the legal requirements for reporting suspected child abuse as required by 63.2-1509 of the Code of Virginia;

3. All policies and procedures required by 8VAC20-781-40

4. Introduction and orientation to each child assigned to staff, including health issues documented according to 8VAC20-781-60 B 5

5. Child development, and

6. Classroom management.

RESPONSE: 

We suggest removing orientation training requirement #6 (Classroom management) unless

the employee is hired as a lead teacher and does not possess one of the Lead Teacher

qualifications outlined in 8VAC20-781-120.