(a) The 15 clock hours of annual training must:
  (1) For a caregiver, be relevant to the age of the children for whom the caregiver provides care; or
  (2) For a site director, be relevant to the age of the children for whom the operation provides care.
(b) At least six clock hours of the annual training hours must be in one or more of the following topics:
  (1) Child growth and development;
  (2) Guidance and discipline;
  (3) Age-appropriate curriculum; and
  (4) Teacher-child interaction.
(c) At least one clock hour of the annual training hours must focus on prevention, recognition, and reporting of child maltreatment, including:
  (1) Factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect;
  (2) Warning signs indicating a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect;
  (3) Procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect; and
  (4) Community organizations that have training programs available to employees, children, and parents.
(d) While there are no clock hour requirements for the topics in this subsection, the annual training hours must also include training on the following topics:
  (1) Emergency preparedness;
  (2) Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations;
  (3) Administering medication, if applicable, including compliance with §744.2653 of this chapter (relating to What authorization must I obtain before administering a medication to a child in my care?);
  (4) Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food or an allergic reaction;
  (5) Understanding building and physical premises safety, including identification and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury such as electrical hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; and
  (6) Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials including compliance with §744.2523 of this chapter (relating to Must caregivers wear gloves when handling blood or bodily fluids containing blood?).
(e) The remaining annual training hours must be in one or more of the following topics:
  (1) Care of children with special needs;
  (2) Child health (for example, nutrition, and physical activity);
  (3) Safety;
  (4) Risk management;
  (5) Identification and care of ill children;
  (6) Cultural diversity for children and families;
  (7) Professional development (for example, effective communication with families and time and stress management);
  (8) Topics relevant to the particular age group the caregiver is assigned;
  (9) Planning developmentally appropriate learning activities; and
  (10) Minimum standards and how they apply to the caregiver.
(f) At least three of the 15 required annual training hours must be instructor-led training. The remaining 12 required annual training hours may come from self-instructional training, of which no more than three hours may come from self-study training.
(g) The 15 clock hours of annual training are exclusive of any requirements for orientation, pre-service training, pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR training, transportation safety training, and high school child-care work-study classes.

Source Note: The provisions of this §744.1309 adopted to be effective September 1, 2010, 35 TexReg 7469; amended to be effective March 1, 2012, 37 TexReg 916; amended to be effective September 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 6225; transferred effective March 9, 2018, as published in the Texas Register February 16, 2018, 43 TexReg 909; amended to be effective October 8, 2018, 43 TexReg 6645; amended to be effective March 1, 2023, 48 TexReg 921