Trainers and Coaches

Trainers for this level of training are typically occasional trainers who have professional expertise in a field unrelated to early care and education (e.g. tax preparers, first responders, health care, etc.). They may also be one-time conference keynotes or presenters. Trainers for Level 1 training must be currently employed in a professional capacity in the field related to the training content. The name and qualifications of a Level 1 trainer is submitted as part of the application for the training itself, and the trainer is approved on a training-by-training basis. The Registry does not keep records of these trainers.

*For Level 1 Basic Licensing training, the trainer does not need to be a Registry approved trainer.

Early Childhood Instructors

This designation requires that the trainer be a member of the Registry, with a Career Pathways placement of Category G-J. In addition, they must have direct care experience with children ages birth to eight, have a current resume or CV on file with the Registry and provide professional references. These trainers must provide verifiable documentation of their experience presenting to adult learners.

Content Specialist Trainers

Content specialist trainers must be members of the Registry but are not required to have a Career Pathways placement. They must have verified education and/or certificate in the content area they train, and they are required to have a current resume or CV on file, including professional references. They are not required to have experience in an early childhood setting, but they must have professional experience in their field. Content specialists are approved to train in their area of specialization only.

*For Level 2 Professional Training, the trainer must be pre-approved as an early childhood instructor or content specialist. These trainers are approved for a period of 24 months and renewal is required to continue to provide Level 2 training.

Level 1 courses provide basic information on a topic and apply toward clock hours for childcare license renewal.  They are for those interested in progressing through Career Pathways placement in Categories A-D. This course level is informative but not in-depth. Level 1 courses are usually quick to complete and in the case of online Level 1 courses, the clock hours may post to the individual’s training record immediately upon completion. 

Level 2 courses are designed for those seeking to advance on the Career Pathways to Category B or above or earn or maintain a professional credential. Level 2 courses are more rigorous and usually require completion of assignments, assessment or a test to demonstrate competence before clock hours are awarded. This means that it will take longer for Level 2 courses to appear on an individual’s Registry record. Level 2 courses also fulfill childcare licensing requirements. 

Level 3 courses are for the individual working toward a degree in Early Childhood or completing coursework to maintain a professional teaching license. These courses are offered by higher education institutions and are not listed on the Training Calendar. Rather, these courses are added to an individual’s Registry record after the fact. Level 3 courses also fulfill childcare licensing requirements if the course(s) was completed in the individual’s current licensing year.  NOTE:  Thesis and dissertation credits are not accepted as training hours and are not added to an individual’s Learning Record.  

A quality coach is a professional who provides support, resources, and technical assistance to early childhood professionals – including caregivers, teachers, supervisors, directors, and administrators — to build capacity for continuous quality improvement.

• Quality Coach Requirements - Primary
• Quality Coach Requirements - Provisional 

The CLASS® assessor is a professional who conducts onsite observations for early childhood programs participating in Bright & Early, North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The CLASS® assessor must maintain certification and reliability in the infant, toddler, and/or pre-K CLASS® observation tool.

• CLASS® Assessor Endorsement Requirements - Primary
• CLASS® Assessor Endorsement Requirements - Provisional 

The ERS® assessor is a professional who conducts onsite observations for early childhood programs participating in Bright & Early, North Dakota’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). The ERS® Assessor must maintain reliability in the Infant Toddler Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ITERS-3™), the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (ECERS-3™), and/or the Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale®, Third Edition (FCCERS-3™).

• ERS Assessor Endorsement Requirements - Primary
• ERS Assessor Endorsement Requirements - Provisional 

The child care health consultant is a professional who provides support, resources, and technical assistance to early childhood professionals - including caregivers, teachers, supervisors, directors, and administrators - achieving and maintaining health and safety standards.

• Child Care Health Consultant Requirements - Primary

The inclusion specialist is a professional who provides support, resources, and technical assistance to early childhood professionals - including caregivers, teachers, supervisors, directors, and administrators - caring for children with unique needs.

• Inclusion Specialist Requirements - Primary
• Inclusion Specialist Requirements - Provisional