Washington State Child Care Training | Care Courses

National Childcare Credentials in Washington State

Use our courses for CDA certification and NAC and CDA renewal.

Click for more information: National Child Care Credentials

Click to learn how a CDA Credential can benefit you in Washington.

Washington State Childcare Training Requirements

Care Courses is a STARS approved continuing education training organization. All Care Courses (with the exception of the courses listed below*) are accepted through STARS for continuing education clock hours for those who work in child care centers, family home child care programs and school-age child care programs. This includes directors, program directors, site coordinators, lead teachers, assistants, program assistants, licensees, primary staff persons and volunteers. To find our approved status, please visit the MERIT website. Care Courses is listed under the organization search. Care Courses are an excellent and convenient way to complete your ongoing STARS hours in Washington State.

For STARS credit, please add your Washington MERIT Registry ID number to your Care Courses account. Thank you!

*The following courses are accepted for use towards applying for a CDA Credential and renewing a CDA Credential. The following courses are not accepted for WA MERIT or STARS clock hours: Child Abuse and Neglect: A Caregiver's Guide to Adverse Childhood Experiences;  Early Childhood Stress: Serious Stress in Children's Lives; Emergency Preparedness in Child Care; Keeping Infants Safe; Safe Baby, Safe Child; Safe Environments in Child Care; Sanitation for Disease Prevention in Early Childhood Programs; Managing Health and Safety in Child Care; Medication Procedures in Child Care; Understanding and Managing Allergies in Child Care.

Opening a childcare facility in Washington State

For those of you interested in starting a day care or home-based child care facility in Washington State, please contact your state licensing agency using the contact information below. The licensing agency can give you advice on the requirements, rules and regulations of your state.

Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families 

Phone: (866) 482-4325