Important Certifications You Should Have to Work at or Open a Daycare Center

Date Published: October 6, 2025

Working in a daycare means creating a safe, supportive place where children can learn, play and grow. To do that well, child care providers need more than patience and energy. They need proper training and certifications to be prepared for everything, from scraped knees to serious emergencies.

Whether you dream of opening your own daycare or want to start your career as a child care provider, the right certifications are your foundation. They prepare you to respond in emergencies, meet state requirements and give families confidence in your care.

Examples of first aid situations in daycare settings include:

• Caring for a child with a minor burn
• Responding to an allergic reaction until EMS arrives
• Treating cuts or scrapes after a fall

Child care training builds on these safety skills by focusing on daily routines, development and behavior management.

This training is valuable for:

• Managing difficult behaviors with positive guidance
• Planning activities that support healthy development
• Understanding safe sleep practices for infants

For those just beginning in child care, babysitting and child care classes give you a good start. These courses are helpful for:

• Building responsibility and leadership skills
• Gaining confidence in age-appropriate activities
• Learning how to keep children safe during play

Where to Get Certified

CPR, first aid and child care training is available at the American Red Cross including:

• Advanced Child Care Training: Teaches the knowledge and skills necessary to responsibly care for children and infants in and outside of the home.
• Child and Baby First Aid/CPR/AED: Covers first aid emergencies such as choking, bleeding, overdose shock and teaches CPR/AED for children and babies.

Daycare providers — whether employees or owners — carry a big responsibility: keeping children safe, healthy and supported as they grow. Certifications give you the confidence to handle emergencies, guide daily routines and build trust with families.

Wherever you are in your child care journey, investing in training today guarantees you’re prepared for tomorrow.

What Certifications Do You Need to Open a Daycare

If you’re aiming to run your own daycare — or even manage staff within a larger program — you’ll need more than personal training. State childcare licensing often requires specific certifications and processes — while additional training can help your business stand out and reassure parents.

Most states may require background checks, facility inspections and proof that staff members have completed the required health and safety training. Check with your state’s child care licensing office to understand the exact rules where you live.

In most cases, CPR and First Aid certifications are required for all staff. All caregivers must be ready to respond to choking, allergic reactions, injuries, or medical emergencies that can happen at any time.

This certification not only expands your skills as an employee, they also strengthen your reputation as a program leader or daycare owner.