LOADING AWESOME
IMAGINE U
Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider
LOADING AWESOME
IMAGINE U
Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider
What is Imagine U?
Peer-to-Peer Mentorship
Community-Based Training
Financial Incentives
Reciprocal Growth
Peer Mentorship
You will work with an experienced licensed family child care provider who has demonstrated excellence in their profession. You will spend 20 hours a month with your mentor as they observe and guide you through the daily work of a child care provider, including child guidance, interactions with parents and the logistics of running a child care business.
Reciprocal Growth
Both mentors and interns will grow professionally through Imagine U. While mentors will often teach interns new skills, there will be times mentors learn things alongside, or even from, their intern. We know relationship-based professional development is the most effective way our industry grows and evolves. This program is rooted in this investment in reciprocal growth.
The Four Phases of Career Development
Phase 1
Get to know your mentor. Develop a plan to become licensed. Complete all pre-requisites and WAC requirements to work in your mentor's child care.
Phase 2
Begin working in your mentor's child care. Begin completing milestones.
Phase 3
Attend STARS training on topics like the business of Family Child Care. Complete final steps before your in-person licensing orientation.
Phase 4
Finish all milestone work. Prepare for your licensing visit. Continue attending STARS training. Receive your bonus.
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The Battle Over Pronunciation
GRAPHIC ASSETS
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GRAPHIC ASSETS
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Mentor Responsibilities
Mentor Application
In addition to meeting the program's minimum eligibility requirements, prospective mentors will also complete an application. Applicants will be chosen based on a variety of factors, such as:
-Has an intern who can participate
-Early Achievers Level
-Language
-Experience
-Degree
-Licensing history
-National Accreditation
-State-Approved Trainer status
-Experience as an Employer
-Serves on ECE-related committees/boards/community organizations
The Early Care and Education Intern
Early care and education interns are individuals who are interested in opening their own family child care business. All interns must complete an orientation to the program where they will learn the requirements for becoming a licensed family child care provider. In addition to the orientation, interns must complete or are in the process of completing lead teacher requirements. It is your responsibility to ensure they meet these requirements, or refer them to the ECE substitute pool, where they can receive training to become lead teacher qualified.
Intern Responsibilities
Intern Milestones
Getting Started
Environment
Business Plan
Finance
Enrollment and Family Engagement
Policies: Care and Curriculum
Policies: Your Program
Policies: Health and Safety
Policies: Staff, Volunteers, and Household Members
Caring for Children with Special Needs
Pre-Service Requirements
-Apply to Imagine U
-Apply for STARS ID
-Set up a Gmail Account
-Complete an orientation
-Complete Child Care Basics Training
-Complete Safe Sleep Training
-Complete Child Abuse and Neglect
-Obtain Food Worker's Card
-Complete First Aid/CPR/Bloodborne Pathogens Training
-Complete Portable Background Check
-Obtain negative TB test
-Complete education application in MERIT
-Sign Intern Agreement
Milestones
These licensing milestones have been designed to prepare prospective family child care providers for opening a successful business. Interns must complete all nine licensing milestones before becoming licensed. They may choose to complete their these milestones prior to their in-person licensing orientation or to complete some during the period of time between their in-person licensing orientation and licensing visit. This is your decision and should be worked out with your mentor.
New Provider Award: Intern submits application for a New Provider Award and receives $4,000 toward quality improvement for becoming licensed and caring for a subsidized child.