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Free Online Childcare Training Courses: Where to Get Certified
Explore free online childcare training courses with certificates and learn how to earn CCP or CDA credentials to meet professional childcare certification standards.
Trying to grow your skills in childcare without breaking the bank can feel surprisingly confusing. I’ve been there too. I've searched for free online childcare training courses with certificates. And I often encounter two situations: either a dead link appears after clicking it, or, even more annoyingly, it asks for money halfway through.
If you'rejuggling work, family, or just starting out in early education, every minute and every second is particularly precious. You want that kind of free childcare training that’s real, useful, and something to show for it. A genuine certificate. And yes, those exist.
In this article, I’ve pulled together several of the top free online childcare training courses with certificates in 2025. In addition, we will show you how to organize these courses into a personal learning center using Wegic. Thus, the learning content will not be lost in browser tabs and screenshots.
Act now to start your learning journey and build your professional education platform on Wegic. Make yourself a shining star in early childhood education!
Free Online Childcare Training Courses
Trauma‑Sensitive Care: Supporting Young Children with Empathy
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Platform: ChildCareEd
This free online childcare training course delves into how early trauma shapes behavior and emotional healthin children. The curriculum is designed around developing empathy-driven approaches for early educators and caregivers. You’ll learn the science of early trauma and the effects of stress on the growing brain. Besides, you’ll also learn practical communication strategies to help build psychological safety.
By using several cases, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to deal with anxious behaviors in children or learn how to listen fairly. Interactive quizzes reinforce key ideas, ensuring you grasp both theory and application.
It stands out and is so impressive because it has two advantages. First, it is simple enough, especially suitable for busy people. It just takes less than two hours to use. Second, it has a lot of practical content for childcare.
The best part is, that’s completely free. You can get a downloadable certificate plus 0.2 CEUs after completion. This is perfect for those who want to increase their resume or need continuing education credits. I used the program to redesign classroom routines, from greetings to transitions. It works well with the goal of relieving stress for kids who are having a difficult time.
Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns
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Platform: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Another free online childcare training with certificates I'd like to recommend is the CDC's "Watch Me! Celebrating Milestones and Sharing Concerns." This free online childcare training with certificates focuses on the most critical things in early childhood development.
The free childcare courses in this program help parents, early teachers, and caregivers. They learn how to spot growth steps in kids from birth to five years old. These simple lessons give them the tools to understand and support child development. It highlights the importance of identifying developmental delays early in a child and the crucial role that childcare professionals play in this process.
This online training for childcare teaches the basics of how young children grow. It covers motor skills, language and conversation, cognitive abilities, and social-emotional development. Participants will learn how to effectively figure out when a child may be slow to develop. Most importantly, they can learn how to explain these things to parents in a way that makes them feel comfortable and useful.
This free childcare training guide has practical strategies for nurturing positive relationships with parents. Participants complete the content, take an assessment, and get a certificate. It has become one of the most valuable free online childcare training courses with certificates. This course is very critical for those who are teaching daycare online training or seeking childcare courses.
NDNA - Free Online Early Years and Childcare Training (Selected Courses)
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Platform: National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA)
The NDNA provides many highly valuable free online childcare training courses with certificates.
They often work on projects that explore many important topics. For example, these projects teach about keeping kids safe online. They also help understand the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) rules. NDNA education is renowned for its emphasis on practice. They provide knowledge that can be directly implemented in a nursery or childcare setting.
These free ECE trainings help stay up to date with the latest research and guidelines. NDNA's free online childcare training courses with certificates are easy to access. They're helpful for anyone pursuing CDA credential renewal. They also count toward the training hours many childcare jobs require.
Pediatric First Aid
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Platform: First Aid for Free
With free online childcare training courses with certificates available, this pediatric first aid program is one of the most useful and life-saving tools you can get at no cost. This course is taught by certified first aid specialists. It is divided into two clearly laid out sections. Both of these are very useful for anyone in home daycare or preschool settings.
Module 1: Lifesaving Skills covers the absolute essentials:
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It starts with an introduction to pediatric first aid. Then it immediately shifts to more practical content.
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Learn the DRAB approach (Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing). This principle is used to handle emergency situations encountered by infants and children.
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You'll practice how to put an unconscious kid into the recovery position. Additionally, you'll learn how to perform CPR correctly based on the age of the person.
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One of the most critical sections is Unit 5: Choking. After learning this part, you'll be more confident and can help quickly if you encounter a child who is having difficulty breathing.
Module 2: Medical Conditions – Let’s talk about several of the common range of health issues that teenagers face.
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Discover how to spot and manage health problems like asthma, croup, meningitis, and febrile seizures. These are common issues that many new teachers and child caregivers face.
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There will be a thorough test at the end of this section to help you consolidate your understanding.
Once both parts are completed and each part is marked as "completed", you’ll receive a free pediatric first aid certificate. It's a pity that it does not offer continuing education credits. However, this certification meets the compliance requirements of many home-based daycare programs. I personally found the class particularly inspiring. Because it bridged the gap between panic and preparation.
Playing Outdoors
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Platform: CareCourses
Playing Outdoors is a free online childcare training course with certificates designed for educators of infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. This free childcare training course is currently fully online, while it can also be viewed in Spanish and normally costs $12. This outdoor childcare training is now free and gives you 1 clock hour/0.1 CEU upon completion.
So what’s different about the provision of this outdoor childcare course? At the beginning, you can take a look at the program description. Everyone should study and think of ways to make the outdoor play environment superior. Make it fun and spark curiosity. This means cool outdoor childcare games for kids. Use water and sand in smart ways in nature. Have a small garden to grow veggies and flowers. Learn how to easily move classes outside, too.
The program uses oral instruction,visual presentations, and text materials to cater to all learning styles. It reinforces learning via interactive quizzes and written assignments. Following a simple self-paced plan, you submit tasks and tests, then mark all sections as completed. Only then can you get your free certificate.
Importantly, this program is accepted toward the CDA credential renewal requirements. It can be used for annual state-level training in many US states, including Maryland and Oklahoma. That makes it a good daycare online training option.
Local Resources for Online Childcare Training (U.S. States)
Arkansas
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Texas A&M AgriLife Extension - Arkansas Child Care Training Courses
Providers in border regions can register on the platform for state-approved courses like Preschool CDA, Outdoor and Nature Play, and Abuse and Neglect. These courses can lead to certificates, which can be obtained online and count toward licensure.
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University of Arkansas Extension – Early Care & Education Projects
Their extension service offers free online childcare training courses with certificates. To be specific, it includes Best Care Connected (5 hours of CEU credits) and Child Care Orientation Training (10 hours of credits).
Alaska
Alaska SEED & SafeGard Classes
Alaska's SEED program currently accepts the SafeGard Classes Online platform. The platform offers free childcare training courses throughout the state, such as How to Earn Your CDA.
Alabama
APT Learn Online
APT, Alabama Public Television, has a department dedicated to early childhood education. Childcare providers in Alabama can take free online childcare training courses with certificates via APT. It covers topics like early literacy, STEM, and child development. The free ECE trainings offered by APT are approved by the state and can also be used for CDA credential renewal.
California
Child Care Lounge – Free Trial Class for Circle Time Curriculum
You can also learn content like planning developmentally appropriate circle time sessions. This is a popular free childcare training guide that also comes with a certificate. You can sign up for a free trial class using the coupon code "freecirc21". The certificates they issue fully meet California state licensing and professional development requirements.
Washington
The Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) in Washington State – Child Care Basics(CCB) Online Training
Childcare workers in Washington need to take a state-approved course called CCB. It is available free of charge via the DCYF. This department is a good learning center providing free online childcare training courses with certificates oncritical health and safety topics.
Once it’s done, a certificate will be issued. It will be automatically registered in the state’s MERIT system. So it works whether you’re applying for a license or conducting your CDA credential renewal.
New York
NY State Office of Children & Family Services(OCFS) – Mandated Reporter Training
In New York, childcare staff should take several free online childcare training courses with certificates provided by the OCFS. It has a training called Mandated Reporter Training, which is available at any time at the NYS Justice Center. This 2-hour online course meets state legal regulations for identifying and reporting child abuse. The certificate issued upon completion of those free childcare courses is recognized by OCFS.
Your Guide to Child Care Certification
Are you trying to find free online childcare training courses with certificates? Then you might also consider looking into what it takes to get certified in early childhood care. Whether you’re aiming for the CCP or CDA certification, this manual can guide you through the process.
Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) Certification
The CCP certification is administered by the National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA). It is designed to confirm your proficiency in safety, development, curriculum, and professionalism. You should complete free childcare training online before formalizing your qualifications.
Requirements:
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High school diploma or equivalent
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Age 18 or older
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Must speak, read, and write English well
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720 hours of experience working with children under 6
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180 hours of professional development, which you can get through free online early childhood training with certificate providers
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Completion of a portfolio and observation assessment
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Pass the NECPA exam
Many people choose online daycare training courses for nursery schools to complete their hourly requirements more affordably. Free ECE trainings can also help cover key topics such as development, safety, and family involvement. You should remember that recertification is required every two years.
CDA Certification
CDA is an entry-level certificate issued by the Council for Professional Recognition. It is initially designed to validate early childhood professional skills. It also contains knowledge of infants, toddlers, preschoolers, home care, and family settings.
Required Steps:
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High school diploma or equivalent
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120 hours of approved training (which you can often meet via free online childcare training courses with certificates)
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480 hours of hands-on experience
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Professional portfolio and family questionnaires
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A verification visit and final exam
Taking childcare courses is a good first step for many. You can take free childcare courses and earn credits. Free places like ProSolutions, APT Learn, or Superior Kid Care can help you with this.
The CDA certificate can be renewed every 3 years. Courses for CDA credential renewal are also widely available online. Many free childcare trainings come with certificates.
Build Your Own Learning Hub with Free Certifications
Access to free online childcare training courses with certificates can change everything in the world of early education. We’ve scoured top platforms, from the CDC to NDNA, to help you upgrade your professional skills for free. They are offering courses on everything from trauma-sensitive care to pediatric first aid.
Even better? With Wegic, education can be transformed into a personalized portfolio with diplomas, reflections, and resource links. No more scattered tabs. Whether you’re working on CDA credential renewal, evolving outdoor childcare projects, or seeking daycare online training, your educational journey starts here and continues.
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Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Jul 3, 2025
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