How long does it take to complete the workbook program?
Staff are expected to complete the workbook within 120 days of their hire date.
Do all 30 units need to be completed?
Yes. Partial credit will not be given. Each unit must be completed in its entirety in order to receive the 16 hour training certificate.
Do the DVD units need to be shown in sequence?
It is recommended that the first three units be viewed first and in that sequence. The other units can be viewed out of order.
I am a director, can I complete the 16 hour workbook training for credit hours?
Yes. Directors are welcome to complete the workbook training and receive a certificate of completion for the 16 hours. Please note that this workbook training does not meet NAC recertification hours.
I am a director and want to complete the 16 hour workbook training. Who signs off on my workbook units?
You have two options:
1. If you have another administrator in your program (an assistant director, for example) who also has taken the NSO Director's Training, that administrator may sign off on your workbooks units.
2. You may submit a request for permission to sign off on your own workbook units to nso@iastate.edu
Do Directors need to complete the 16 hour training if they move to a different center?
No. Unlike center staff, directors do not need to redo the training should they move to another program, as a director. As administrators are the implementors of the NSO program, they are able to choose whether or not they take the 16 hour training. Staff, however, are required to take the 16 hour training each time they begin employment in a new child care program.
Can we use the DVD units for other staff training?
The videos may be used for staff in-service refresher training, however, no training hours will be awarded by Iowa State University.
Can the DVDs be taken off-site for viewing by a staff member?
If you feel confident the DVD will be returned to you. Legally, programs are required to pay the staff member for the time spent working on this at home. Visit http://www.dol.gov/esa/whd/regs/compliance/whdfs46.pdf for more information on this topic.
Can staff view these as a group and work together on the worksheets?
Staff may view videos as a group, however, the responses to the worksheets need to be done independently. Similar answers in certain units may occur, particularly when answering questions regarding standardized practices, such as state ratio guidelines. However, overall work should be individualized and relate to each staff members own experiences and interactions with children, staff, and parents. Please note that workbooks lacking in original responses from staff will be returned and the staff member will be required to redo the workbook and resubmit.
Can the program be implemented in a workshop-type training?
No. Typically a workshop-type training is done off-site, or on a weekend, and neither of these settings will give staff the opportunity to complete many of the units as they are intended, particularly any unit where child observation is required.
I work in a preschool program that follows the public school calendar. Can I work on the workbook during our summer break?
If you have access to children in a childcare/preschool group setting during this time, then yes. Many assignments require child observation or access to materials that are in your facility. The program is intended to be completed on-site.
Can a new staff member complete a unit every day and then meet with their supervisor on Friday to go over several worksheets at a time?
Yes. However, it is recommended that no more than four per week are done before reviewing with a supervisor. Staff should meet with the supervisor at least weekly. There needs to be a peer mentor or "go to" person designated to answer questions related to the worksheet assignments if the supervisor is not available. This could be a co-teacher or a teacher in another room.
Who reviews the completed worksheet assignments?
Workbooks are reviewed by experienced child care center directors who have been trained in the review process.
Are comments made on the workbook confidential or can Directors see them also?
The workbook and certificate of completion will be mailed back to the staff person. Teachers/staff should keep the reviewed NSO workbook and certificate in their personal professional development portfolio/file. The workbook does not receive a score or grade. The staff person can choose to share reviewer comments with their supervisor, but is not required to do so.
How long after sending in the completed workbook will staff receive their certificate of completion?
Allow and average of 4-6 weeks for review of completed workbooks and to receive their certificate.
Why is it so important to send the completed workbooks to Iowa State for review?
NSO has a unique teaching format. Evaluation results show that all components: video, observation, activity, written assignment, reflection and discussion with director, and feedback/review process are needed for successful learning. Independent review and feedback by Iowa State University provides the teacher with an additional perspective and allows for independent documentation of workbook completion. Documentation from an ISU reviewer allows us to grant credit to meet DHS professional development requirements, Continuing Education requirements, and CDA training requirements.
Where can I go if I have additional questions?
New Staff Orientation Program
1094 Le Baron Hall
Iowa State University
Ames, Iowa 50011
p: (515) 294-5702
f: (515) 294-5507
nso@iastate.edu