Learn more about the benefits of registration for providers of substitute educator services to licensed early childhood education programs in Tennessee.
The Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) is committed to promoting high quality early childhood environments that are safe, healthy and educationally rich. To support high quality and increase access to early care and education programs, TDHS has launched a voluntary registration process for providers of Substitute Educator Services to further strengthen statewide supports for licensed child care providers and the early childhood education workforce. Registrations accepted by TDHS will afford providers of Substitute Educator Services with access to free background checks, training, and professional development resources meeting state and federal requirements.
Training and Professional Development Resources
TDHS recognizes as best practices completion of important preservice and ongoing trainings by substitute early childhood professionals who provide services to child care providers licensed by TDHS. These trainings are available at no cost through the Tennessee Child Care Online Training System (TCCOTS) powered by ProSolutions:
- Before You Begin: New Educator (or if caring for children over age 5, Before You Begin: New Educator – School Age)
- Recognizing and Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
- Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma
- Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Safety Risks for Infants
Registered providers of substitute educator services may also access age appropriate First Aid/CPR training and certification available through the Tennessee Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) at no cost. To learn more, visit www.tnccrr.org. Learn more about state and federal training and professional development requirements at Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 1240-04-01 and 45 CFR § 98.41(a)(1)(i-xii).
Criminal History Background Check Requirements
Substitute Early Childhood Professionals must meet state and federal criminal history background check requirements defined at T.C.A. § 71-3-507 and 45 CFR § 98.43. Registered providers of substitute educator services may obtain qualifying background checks for substitute early childhood professionals from the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) at no cost. Learn more about these requirements by visiting the TDHS website.
Additional Resources
Tennessee Professional Archive of Learning (TNPAL) is the official system of record for qualifications, training, and professional development for child care providers licensed by TDHS. This free resource is designed to better support professional development and empower early childhood professionals who work in TDHS-licensed child care agencies by collecting and preserving completed trainings, accomplishments, credentials, education, certifications, and awards. TNPAL also directly supports verification of these records by directors and TDHS for compliance and regulatory purposes. Learn the benefits of TNPAL and signup at www.tnpal.org.
TrainTN is the official clearinghouse for external early childhood professional trainings recognized as approved by the Tennessee Department of Human Services effective November 01, 2021. Approved trainings offer early childhood educators and child care professionals having direct responsibility for the care and oversight of children opportunities to meet Tennessee Licensure Rules for Child Care Agencies (1240-04-01) and Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) training and professional development requirements. Visit the TrainTN catalog at www.traintn.org.
Tennessee Child Care Online Training System (TCCOTS) powered by ProSolutions Training is a free online learning management system supporting early childhood professional and high-quality child care services in Tennessee. TCCOTS offers web-based alternatives to in-person training to accommodate the busy schedules of early childhood professionals – may be completed at any time – days, evenings, or weekends. TCCOTS trainings meet basic licensing and Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) requirements. To learn more, visit www.tccots.com.
TN Child Care Resource and Referral (TN CCR&R) provides free training and technical assistance to early childhood educators and child care professionals as well as resources for parents, employers, and the community that support high quality care and child development. Learn more at www.tnccrr.org.