West Virginia
What is WVSTARS?
West Virginia STARS offers professional development and quality improvement tools in one centralized website in order to support members of the early childhood and education workforce. WvSTARS was built implement a comprehensive continuum of specialized training and career mobility for all early childhood practitioners.
According to the West Virginia STARS website, the goals of West Virginia STARS are to
- Adopt a core body of knowledge needed by all practitioners to ensure a consistent base of training.
- Make sure all practitioners have training based on the core body of knowledge available to them.
- Implement a career pathway promoting continuation of education and experience and encouraging increased compensation for advancement.
- Strengthen connections among local, regional, and state partners to benefit children and families.
The West Virginia STARS approves trainings from qualified trainers. AIR Child Care Training Solutions is an approved Non-STARS training organization.
West Virginia Childcare Training Tools
While there are many great tools available to childcare professionals, here’s two that we’ve found to be very useful.
Career Pathways in West Virginia STARS has a career pathway credential that participants can strive to achieve. West Virginia STARS provides a number of resources for participants to develop and gain more skills as well as move themselves up in levels on the career pathway.
The Scholarships Tab in West Virginia STARS provides resources for early childhood professional looking for assistance in paying for professional development.
How many clock hours of training are needed annually in West Virginia?
According to West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources Child Care Licensing Requirements, fifteen clock hours (15) of professional development are required annually for all staff members. Only 15 hours of Non-STARS training can be applied to your renewal period every 3 years.