How IdahoSTARS Helps Providers
Training and Education
Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
IdahoSTARS Programs for Providers
State Licensing Information
Documents and Links
Announcing: 2010 IdahoSTARS Enhancement Grants
How IdahoSTARS Helps Providers
Since IdahoSTARS strives to improve child care in Idaho, child care providers are some of our greatest allies and assets. We want to see the quality of child care improve, and that begins with you! The cornerstone of our resources for providers is the Professional Development System, a career pathway and provider database that aims to help providers advance in their careers and keep learning. IdahoSTARS provides training, scholarships, mentorship, and cash incentives to help providers improve the quality of their practice. We also maintain a database of child care providers in the state and refer parents to providers that match their needs. Your business will benefit along with your career. We hope to educate the public about the importance of quality child care and show our support for Idaho's wonderful child care providers!
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Training and Education
IdahoSTARS Training Process
If you attended an IdahoSTARS training and would like IdahoSTARS training hours, complete the following steps:
- Register for a training
- Choose a training at the IdahoSTARS Training Calendar
- Register and submit payment to the trainer
Or contact the trainer to register and mail our payment to the trainer
- Attend the training
- Complete homework and submit it to the trainer
(Some trainings will not require homework.)
- Complete and submit your Reflective Evaluation two weeks after the training date
Complete the evaluation by
Note: Please contact the IdahoSTARS Training Office at 211 or 1-800-926-2588 if you are receiving an error message or cannot complete the Reflective Evaluation on-line.
- Visit the IdahoSTARS Training Calendar
- Click on 'Go To Home Page' (upper left corner)
- Click on "Enter Reflections" in under "Reflections" in the left column
- Login with username and password
- Select the training title you attended
- Complete the evaluation and submit
After completing the training and evaluation
- Your IdahoSTARS Training Transcript is automatically updated with the new training hours
- Your certificate for the training will be mailed within seven business days of completion of the training requirements.
Post-Approval Training
Did you attend a quality training that you think should be IdahoSTARS approved?
Download the Post-Approval Training Form - English (MS Word) or Post-Approval Training Form - Spanish to request that a non-IdahoSTARS approved training be considered for approval.
Distance Learning
For more information on distance learning options
View the IdahoSTARS Approved Distance Training Opportunities
Scholarships
IdahoSTARS Academic Scholarships are processed by the Scholarship office at Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children (Idaho AEYC) and designed to increase the level of education in caregivers working with young children. Additional funding through the J.A. and Kathryn Albertson Foundation, and the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information on academic scholarships available to child care providers, click here.
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Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP)
Registration Requirements
Idaho Child Care Program child care provider registration requirements are:
- Attend an ICCP Provider Orientation
- Complete and submit an ICCP Provider Agreement
- Current Idaho Department of Health and Welfare Criminal History & Background Check
- Valid Infant/Child CPR Certification
- Valid Pediatric First Aid Certification
- Successfully complete a Health and Safety Inspection of the home or facility where child care is taking place
- Valid city or state license - if required
For more information about ICCP please contact your local IdahoSTARS CCR&R office by calling the 2-1-1 Idaho CareLine by dialing 2-1-1 or 1-800-926-2588 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday – Friday.
ICCP Sample Documents
These documents are samples that can be used and/or adapted by child care providers. They are intended to be used as supporting documentation for ICCP payments, as follows:
- Records of attendance
- Billing records and receipts (sample)
- Policies regarding sign-in procedures
- Sign-in records, electronic or manual
Providers are encouraged to adapt any of the sample documents or use their own documents as long as the ICCP criterion is met.
Note from Health and Welfare: These documents are important to justify payments. They must be kept for 3 years and available for review by the Department or its agents when requested.
Ejemplos de los Documentos Requisitos para el Pago de ICCP
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IdahoSTARS Programs for Providers
Professional Development System
The IdahoSTARS Professional Development System is a way for providers to develop their professional careers, attend training, and receive cash incentives as they learn. Click the link above to find out more and sign up to be in the system!
M.E.C.E.: Mentors for Early Care and Education
Mentors are experts in their field. They are men and women who wish to share their knowledge and experience with others. Mentors offer guidance, support and resources through a nurturing and structured program. They are experts in early childhood, business, health, safety, nutrition, parent education, psychology, and more. They are available to child care professionals for a variety of services ranging from an hour to a 2-year commitment. Mentors provide services statewide working with both family and child care providers and directors. Click here for more information.
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State Licensing Information
State licenses are issued through regional Family and Children's Services offices in the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare. Renewal of licenses is required every two years. The following types of child care settings and licensing requirements are available:
- Family child care homes are limited to 1 to 6 children in attendance at one time. Licensing is not required but a provider may become licensed on a voluntary basis (usually done if the provider wishes to participate in the federally funded food program).
- Group child care providers are restricted to 7 to 12 children in attendance at one time and must be certified by state law.
Types of Child Care Licenses and Idaho Requirements:
- Child care centers having 13 or more children in attendance at one time must be licensed by state law.
- Child Care Home (1-6 Children): Criminal History Check, Health Inspection, Fire Inspection.
- Group Child Care (7-12 children): Criminal History Check, Health Inspection, Fire Inspection.
- Basic Child Care Facility (13 or more children): Criminal History Check, Health Inspection, Fire Inspection.
- Certified Group Child Care Facility (Optional License): Criminal History Check, Fire Inspection.
Did you know? It is a misdemeanor to operate a child care center within Idaho without first obtaining a basic child care license or for failure to post a basic child care license in a conspicuous place.
Additional local licensing regulations may be imposed by individual city governments. Their licensing requirements may be equal to or more stringent than state license provisions. Currently there are nine cities in Idaho that license child care facilities in their jurisdictions: Boise, Chubbuck, Hailey, Jerome, Coeur d'Alene, Lewiston, Moscow, Orofino, and Pocatello. See Idaho Code 39-1101 for information about Idaho Child Care Licenses.
Download the Rules Governing Standards For Child Care Licensing. (Adobe PDF)
Find out about Idaho licensing requirements on the Health and Welfare Site.
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