Online Training Opportunities

First Connections is a multifaceted, comprehensive online course offering education about infants and toddlers to teachers, caregivers, and parents across Nebraska and beyond.

The online training curriculum consists of six modules. Download the complete First Connections syllabus.

1. Introduction to Caring for Infants and Toddlers
2. Part 1: Development of Infants and Toddlers
3. Part 2: Development of Infants and Toddlers
4. Program Quality and Evaluation
5. Relationships with Families
6. Keeping Infants and Toddlers Safe and Healthy

Requirements of the course include reading information, viewing video, completing assignments and taking short tests. All assignments and tests must be completed and graded prior to the end of the course. There are no extensions, no exceptions.

The course cost is $25.00. It is worth 45 in-service clock hours. The course must be completed within 90 days. Download the complete list of First Connections policies and procedures.

Questions?
For specific questions about First Connections, contact one of the following Monday – Friday, 8:00am – 5:00pm central time, except for observed holidays.

• Course information:
  Tammi Hicken, 531-207-8917
  tammi.hicken@nebraska.gov
• First Connections content:
  • Meghan Shepherd,
    mrs.megan.shepherd@gmail.com
  • Julie Jones Branch,
    jjonesbranch42@gmail.com
• Technical assistance with Canvas:
  Dorann Avey, 402-890-2336
  dorann.avey@nebraska.gov

New First Connections courses are offered every:

• January
• February
• April
• May
• July
• August
• October
• November

This course will guide you through the Core Competencies document and explain how you can use it for professional growth. This course is meant to be an introduction to the document. The optional self-assessment provided in the course will help you further understand the Nebraska Core Competencies and how best to use them as an early childhood professional.

This is a free online course that can be completed independently through the Canvas Learning Management System. Once the course is successfully completed, a certificate for 1 hour of training will be made available.

This training provides a general overview of Nebraska’s health and safety standards. This training is designed for all applicants who are applying for licensure, and their staff as well as all license exempt child care providers who receive subsidy payment. This training is available is both English and Spanish.

• Safe and Healthy Environment
• Safe and Healthy Children
• Preparing for Emergencies

View course instructions

The Step Up to Quality orientation is your first step on the path to quality.

The online orientation is available in both English and Spanish and is designed to provide participants with the following:

• An overview of Steps 1-5
• Program goals, supports and benefits
• An introduction to the Nebraska Early Childhood Professional Record System (NECPRS)

View instructions for enrolling in the online Step Up to Quality orientation:

• English instructions
• Spanish instructions

The Step Up to Quality online orientation is available for free and provides 1.5 hours of in-service credit.

Course Description

This course is designed to promote early childhood educator’s skills in building home-school partnerships to support family engagement. The content is applicable from preschool up to third grade and applies to a variety of educational settings including school and community settings.

Course Outcomes

1. Create a shared understanding of what family partnerships are and why they are important.
2. Build awareness of your contributions and roles in supporting family partnerships.
3. Provide specific strategies and tools to build family partnerships.
4. Complete an initial action plan

This course is free and self-paced. Participants will earn 1.5 hours of in-service credit upon completion.