FAQ : Online Child Care Training Classes

Finally! You can participate in online child care training when you need it, without leaving the comfort of your own home. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about the online child care classes at Child Care Lounge.

What states have pre-approved Child Care Lounge online classes?
Click on our State Page and each state listed in green has approved our classes.

Why should I choose Child Care Lounge classes? What makes Child Care Lounge different from other training companies?

• They are all developed and taught by Joni Levine who has an M.Ed in adult education and curriculum design and development.
• We sought the input of other child care providers and professionals regarding the class topics and content.
• They meet standards for quality online training.
• They meet principles for adult learning.
• They meet the quality assurance/training approval standards for many states.
• We use a variety of content resources and media when developing the classes.
• The assignments are subjective questions (not pass/fail) and ask students to engage in critical thinking.
• The class content focuses on real-life application.
• Students are encouraged to complete an action plan to promote transfer of learning.
• Components for student interaction and support include our message board and weekly live chats.
• Instructor interaction and technical support is available via email or phone at least five days a week (often seven).
• We issue a free PDF certificate by email and hard copy of a certificate at minimal cost (if you wish) that meets the requirements of your state.
• We review your assignments promptly (less than 2 weeks without additional charge) and give you personalized feed-back.
• We are accessible and easy to reach.

How does an online class work?
When you enroll online (by credit/debit card or Paypal), you will receive an email with an enrollment key for instant access to the class content.(enrollment keys are for individual use. Students submitted work that are not in the database will be invoiced) Once you create your account and enter the class you will find a step by step guide for reading the class material and completing any activities. There are assignments included in each class. After the satisfactory completion of all assignments, we will review your work in aproximatley 7 to 10 days and issue you a certificate. Please note that your certificate will be dated on the date of completion not the date of submission. In some cases, we may ask that you review class material again and resubmit an assignment if it does not meet the objectives of the class. (note that classes that start with "MJL" or beyond require quiz completion and once you pass, you will receive a certificate immediately.)*

Do I need to have computer knowledge to take a class?
Yes, basic computer knowledge is necessary to complete all the online classes. We recommend you stick to in-person classes if you have minimal computer experience. We do offer some of our classes in print for students not comfortable using a computer.

What are the technical requirements of the class?
Students must have access to a computer with the Internet and have a valid working email address. Most classes contain YouTube videos and PDF files to view, so students must be able to watch YouTube videos and open PDF Files. For more detailed information on the technical requirements of taking a Child Care Lounge online class.

How long will the class take me?
The number of clock hours associated with each class is the approximate number of hours it will take to complete the reading material and assignments. Some people take less time if they are quick readers. Other people take longer.

Do I have to sit at the computer the entire length of time of the class?
Our classes are self-study. You can complete the class all at once or break it up into small amounts of time. Once you have access to the class, you will be able to log in and out as you wish.

Can I get a refund for the classes?
If you are unable to use our classes or you are unsatisfied we can issue a refund. We can only refund classes that have not had submitted work reviewed. Refunds are available up to 30 days from the date the payment was processed. We will traditionally return your funds in the same manner as they were sent. If you wish to request a refund, please fill out the Refund Request Form. Refunds may take up to 3 business days to be processed once the request is received. Please note that a 15% fee is assessed on the total refund. Payments are only partially refundable because processing costs are incurred in the registration process, regardless of whether you actually take the class or not.

Can I use these classes towards my CDA requirements?
You may use these classes to meet the educational requirement that you need for the 120 clock hours you need for the CDA, the Child Development Associate. This credential is granted by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. Please contact them for more information. Click here to see how these classes meet the CDA competency standards.

How can I pay for the classes?
Each class enrollment page has an option to pay online using credit/debit card or Paypal. To pay by check, credit card or money order via mail or fax: Click here for Printable Order Form or call us at 412-885-5172

Can someone else pay for me?
Yes. Make sure they put your name and email address on the order form. If someone else purchases for you online, they will need to forward you the class information email. Be sure that your name is on your childcarelounge.com account so that all the assignments will be associated with you.

How long does it take before I receive class information?
As soon as you complete payment information, you will receive the information to access the class. Two emails will also be sent to the email address listed under the billing information or Paypal account - an email with your Purchase Receipt, and an email with information to access the class. (Be sure to check spam or junk folders if you don't see the emails). If you are purchase your class by mail, fax, or phone, we will email you when we receive payment.

What if I don't get my class information email?
In addition to instant class information, an email is automatically sent once we receive payment. If you don't see the email, be sure to check your junk folders and spam filters in your email program. Sometimes, our emails go to a spam folder. You can use our Contact Us form if you sent a payment via mail or fax and more than 10 days have passed since you sent payment.

Where is my enrollment key? I can't find it.
Each class has its own enrollment key that you will need to enter to access the class for the first time. When you purchase a class online, this enrollment key is instantly available in the Purchase Details, as well as in an email immediately sent to the purchasing email address. If you pay by mail, fax or phone, you will receive an email that contains the enrollment key. This email will come from classes@childcarelounge.com.

What are the requirements for credit?
You need to complete all assignments according to the directions. If you are enrolled in a class that is reviewed by an instructor,the instructor will provide feedback on each assignment. It is up to the student to log in and view the feedback to determine if the instructor has asked for an assignment to be resubmitted. We ask that you post on the message board and complete an evaluation form as well. The message board is a necessary component that many states require.

How do I post on the message board?
Each class has a message board. Click on message board link in the class content. It will take you to the class forum. Click on the topic started by the instructor, then click "Reply" under the instructor's question and scroll down to submit your answer in the submission box.

How much time do I have to complete the online class?
You may complete the online child care classes at your own pace. We do send out email reminders if you have incomplete work pending. If you don't login in more than 90 days, you will need to reenter the enrollment key for each class. Once you have not logged into the class system for 3 years, your account will be deleted.

I don't have reliable Internet access, can I still take the class?
We do have SOME classes that you can print out the reading material and mail the assignments to us. If you have no email access, you can enroll and specify that we mail you a CD or hard copy of the all the material (printing and mailing fees vary). You can view which classes are available for print and/or CD, as well as shipping and handling fees on the Printable Order Form.

How long does it take to get a certificate? How are they sent?
Click to view our class lists. We have classes that grant an immediate certificate and classes with instructor review that take apx. one week. (if you get an immediate certificate, (a general notice of completion )you will be issued, by email, a state specific one, if needed, within 48 hours.) 

Please note: The date noted on the certificate is the date that all class assignments are completed successfully. We will not pre-date or post-date a certificate. 

A $7.50 shipping/handling fee applies if you wish to have a copy of your certificate mailed. If you wish to purchase a mailed certificate, please fill out the Mailed Certificate Request Form. 
There is a $15 fee if you need us to expedite (within 72 business hours) your certificate earlier than two weeks (the expedited certificate payment option can be found in the class directions). Please note: We will only issue a certificate when all work is completed and we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so sooner than 72 business hours, but we will try!). You can access the Expedited Certificate Request Form here.

How can I be sure that I get credit from my state?

Click here to check whether you need to supply us with a regsitry or stars or MOPD number or whether you need to complete other forms.

What if I received and then lost my certificate? 

All certificates are sent via email to the student's email address unless other specified. We will resend you the certificate via email free of charge if this request is made within 1 month of the original being sent. After that, you will need to pay a $5 fee per certificate request. You can access the request form here.

Can I get a record of all my classes that I have completed? Yes! We can send you an official transcript for $25. Please allow 2 weeks for delivery. Please email joni at childcarelounge.com or send us a request in the mail at Child Care Lounge 2830 Broadway Avenue, #2 Pittsburgh, Pa. 15216. All transcripts requests must be in writing and by signed by the student. Transcripts can be released by parent request only if the student is under 18 years of age. Child Care Lounge will keep a record of all of transcripts requests or requests for access or disclosure of any personally identifiable information from pupil records. Please note: We keep all records for a minimum of 7 years.