Does NSO satisfy Iowa Department of Human Services training requirements for licensed child care centers and preschools?
Yes. NSO satisfies Iowa Department of Human Services requirements for 10 contact hours of training during the first year of employment. Four hours can be counted toward sponsored group setting and six hours toward self-study.

Does NSO meet the criteria for the Iowa Quality Rating System (QRS)?

• Yes. The NSO program meets criteria for the Iowa QRS (Leadership and Administration level 3-5). In order to receive one point, programs must ensure that all staff who have direct contact with children complete the NSO within four months of starting employment. Completion of NSO means that staff view the videos and have the accompanying workbook reviewed by Iowa State University. For programs who do not have new staff at the time the director takes the NSO Director's training, the point will be awarded if the director has completed the training and agrees to implement the program at the time new staff is hired.
• Yes. The 6 additional contact hours can be applied as "approved training beyond the regulatory requirements" under the Professional Development category level 3-5.
  

How much training credit can I earn?
Child care center and preschool staff who complete the NSO workbook and submit it to Iowa State University for review can receive:

• 16 contact hours of credit is earned and can be applied to meeting the  Iowa Department of Human Services annual professional development training requirements.
• 1.6 CEU units from Iowa State University (an additional $10.00 fee applies).

Directors attending the 6-hour Director's training can receive:

• 6 contact hours of credit, recognized by the Iowa Department of Human Services professional development credit.
• 6 contact hours National Administrator Credential (NAC) renewal credits.  Director's must be NAC certified prior to attending the NSO Director's training.
• .06 CEU units from Iowa State University (an additional $10.00 fee applies).

Directors may also earn 16 contact hours of DHS professional development credit by completing the NSO workbook training. To request approval for this option, email nso@iastate.edu

Can NSO training hours  be applied to my Child Development Associate (CDA) Credit hours?

Yes. Better Kid Care Iowa – New Staff Orientation (NSO) offers 16 clock hours of training credit that may be applied toward the 120 clock hours of formal child care education required for a CDA credential. View how NSO content is applied to the CDA credential.


Is NSO approved by the National Administrators Credential (NAC) program for continuing education renewal credits?
Yes. NSO training conducted by Iowa State University is officially approved for NAC renewal.

Is NSO approved for AEA staff development training?
No. The NSO training program does not meet the requirements for AEA staff development training.