A supervised, self-instructional training program for the professional development of child caregivers is offered. Included in this volume, the first of two, are orientation materials and six training modules that are organized around the first six functional areas of the Child Development Associate (CDA) Competency Standards. These areas concern the provision of a safe and healthy environment in which children learn and have opportunities to develop physically and cognitively and to communicate their thoughts and feelings in interaction with caregivers and peers. The training program provides teachers with materials that: (1) become their personal resource and journal for working with preschool children; (2) are appropriate for new as well as experienced teachers; (3) are individualized so that teachers work on their own schedule and at their own pace; (4) may be used in any order; and (5) are practical and immediately applicable to the classroom. Each of the six modules includes an overview, a pre-training assessment, five or six learning activities, an end-of-module self-review, a list of additional readings, answer sheets, and a glossary. (RH)