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At Tykes Academy, training is not a one-time requirement—it is an ongoing, annual expectation. We maintain clear standards to ensure educators are prepared, supported, and aligned with best practices in early childhood education. 

The Commonwealth of Kentucky requires a minimum of 15 training hours annually for child care staff. Certain mandatory trainings must be completed at specific intervals, while others may already be satisfied by prior coursework or employment history.

Meeting these requirements establishes eligibility for employment under state regulations.

In addition to state requirements, Tykes Academy requires all new hires to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training during their first week of employment.

This requirement applies regardless of prior training completed elsewhere.

While an individual may already meet the state’s minimum requirements to be employed, all staff are still expected to complete additional program-specific training to reach the 20-hour first-week requirement established by Tykes Academy.

This ensures that every educator—regardless of background—begins with a shared foundation in our policies, routines, and expectations.

The 20 hours of first-week training is separate from—and in addition to—the 15 annual training hours required by the state of Kentucky. After onboarding, staff continue to complete:

• The required 15 annual training hours set by the state  
• Additional program-directed training, as assigned, such as:

*Social-emotional development
*Developmentally appropriate guidance and behavior support
*Supervision, safety, and classroom consistency
*Professional communication and family partnership
 

Training pathways are reviewed regularly to ensure alignment with program values and current best practices.

This structure allows us to exceed minimum requirements while maintaining consistency across classrooms. Professional development at Tykes Academy continues well beyond onboarding.

Tykes Academy views early childhood education as a profession and maintains clear credentialing expectations.

• All teaching staff are required to obtain a Child Development Associate (CDA) credential within 24 months of employment
   
• Support and guidance are provided throughout the process
   
• Continued employment beyond 24 months is contingent upon meeting this requirement
   

This expectation ensures a consistent foundation in child development across classrooms.

Our long-term goal is to support all educators in becoming licensed teachers in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Tykes Academy actively encourages staff to take advantage of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) scholarship, which provides funding for eligible individuals pursuing postsecondary degrees—including up to a master’s degree in early childhood education.

We believe investing in educator growth strengthens classroom quality, program stability, and outcomes for children and families.

We believe families deserve to understand the standards we hold for the educators caring for their children.

For this reason, we are transparent about our training expectations and the learning pathways available to our team. Many of the courses we utilize are publicly accessible, and families are welcome to explore them if interested.

Our training standards reflect our belief that:

• Children deserve prepared, knowledgeable educators
   
• Educators deserve clear expectations and growth opportunities
   
• High-quality care is built through consistency and professionalism
   

Tykes Academy is a workplace for educators who are committed to learning, development, and long-term excellence in early childhood education.