STARS Training Reimbursement

The full cost of the Child Care Basics course is eligible to apply for reimbursement in your MERIT profile. To be eligible, you must have a confirmed or verified employment record in MERIT.

What you can expect:

  • This online course is presented in English and features a self-paced, mobile-friendly format. With instructor engagement, you can complete the training on your own schedule using a computer, cell phone, or tablet.

  • Enrollment in the Child Care Basics course includes access to all 10 online modules. Upon completing each module, the next one will be automatically added to your training dashboard. After successfully completing all 10 modules, a certificate will be emailed to you within 24 hours.

  • Your training completion will be recorded in MERIT within 3 business days of receiving your certificate. Once recorded, you can log into your MERIT profile to apply for reimbursement of the course cost.

  • You have six months from the payment date to complete this online course; after that, your enrollment will expire.

Child Care Basics

30 Hours Initial STARS

The Child Care Basics course fulfills the initial training requirements for various roles in licensed child care programs in Washington State, including:
* Assistant teachers
* Lead teachers
* Directors
* Program supervisors
* Family home child care providers
This course is based on the Washington State STARS Model Curriculum, as provided by the Washington State Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF), updated in 2019.