Ongoing professional development and education along with learning practical knowledge about the facility where you are now employed is essential to becoming successful in your new career as an early educator. In addition to the topics required in the first 2 weeks of employment, newly hired early educators are also required to be trained on additional topics within the first 6 weeks of employment.

Participants attending this learning event will review the facility's purpose and goals, describe the role of both State and local government agencies in regulation of child care, the impact on the operation of a center along with the availability as a resource, and state the early educator's obligation to cooperate with representatives of State and local government agencies during visits and investigations. Participants will describe how to maintain a safe and healthy environment, properly administer medication, read and review the NC Child Care Laws, list prevention and response procedures due to food and allergic responses, summarize information on enhanced standards, and state the importance of criminal history mandated reporting.

Participants will read handouts, view videos, complete online assignments, attend time required, and pass a post knowledge assessment with a score of 90% or higher in order to earn the course certificate. The post knowledge assessment may be taken multiple times to ensure success.

Registration always open!

Click on Registration button

If you've registered in the past, log in to your account, and add the course you wish to attend. Click on 'click here to checkout'.

If it's your first time, you'll need to click 'create new account'-then complete the registration form and click on 'click here to checkout'.

After the system processes your payment (just a few short minutes), you'll receive an email with a link assigned to your unique email address. (email addresses can not be shared by participants).

Please keep this link/email so that you can return to the course as often as you need.

Karen’s personal information:

Family demographics: Originally from West Virginia, has 1 sister, lives in Kings Mountain.  Recently had a very small, private wedding ceremony and married Jeff Presnell, but kept the name Karen Darby, on Tuesday, 2-22-2022.  Karen has no children of her own but enjoys spending time with Jeff’s grown children and grandchildren.

Hobbies: Swimming, hiking, biking, flower gardening, painting, willing to try anything outdoors at least once.

Outside interests: Teaches an adult swimming class for the City of Shelby, Certified Aqua Fitness Instructor, Volunteers in the community and senior center

Future plans/aspirations: An on-going goal is to be a published author (of more than just an article or blogpost), bring the on-demand learning platform/courses to the level of recognition of a statewide project/be viewed as a statewide project director or advance to a higher position in SW, if applicable and available. 

Contact Karen at darby.karen@swcdcinc.org