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Fall 2026 Semester
August 17 - November 30

Registration 

Late registrations will not be accepted

The registration process has been updated for the Spring 2027 registration period. Registration will open November 1, 2026. There are still three components to registering, but they are now divided into two parts. Participants must complete the orientation on WV STARS and the Semester Application on the ACDS website first. The payment of the registration fee is the second step. Once the orientation and application are completed, River Valley Child Development Services' (RVCDS) finance department will send an invoice to the applicant's email address. It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete the invoice and send payment directly to the finance department. Checks and card payments are accepted, money orders are not. ACDS cannot accept paper checks mailed directly to the program. All payments must be made using the invoice. 

Deadline Dates

  • Spring 2027 Registration opens - 11/1/26

  • Orientation - due by 12/18/26

  • Semester Application - due 12/18/26

  • Payment - due by 1/8/27

  • Semester begins - 1/25/27

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How To Register

Laptop Work

1. Orientation

Students must complete the ACDS orientation that corresponds to the semester they are entering.  The orientations can be found by searching self-paced trainings within the training calendar. ACDS DOES NOT enroll applicants in the orientations, applicants must do this themselves. Click the box below to be directed to the WV STARS website. Due by December 18, 2026

Available Nov. 1

Student Paper Writing

2. Semester Participation Application

A participation application is linked below. This document must be completed and submitted by December 18, 2026. Applicants will receive a message stating the form has been submitted immediately after submission. Please check with ACDS if you are unsure if your application was submitted. 

Available Nov. 1

Online Shopping

3. Payment

The $25.00 registration fee is due by the January 8, 2027. Once orientation and application are completed, applicants will be emailed an invoice for payment. Checks and card payments can be made with the invoice. Paper checks and money orders are no longer accepted. Any checks and money orders sent to ACDS/RVCDS will be returned without crediting the applicant. This could result in payment not being received by the established deadline. Payments will not be refunded if an applicant fails to complete registration by the deadline or if applicant withdrawals from the program. The RVCDS refund policy states "Only duplicate payments - where payment for the same fee and individual is issued twice - can be refunded after verification. All other payments are non-refundable and non-transferable. By submitting payment, you acknowledge that you have read, understand, and agree to this non-refundable policy."

Employer Training 2026

NEW MANDATORY TRAINING

ACDS has created a training for employers, supervisors, and directors of ACDS students. Anyone that is responsible for registering their program with the Department of Labor, completing student supervisor evaluations, or signing monthly on-the-job training logs must complete this training. The training will provide information about the program's policies and procedures as well as employer/supervisor responsibilities. The training will only be required every three years. There is an application linked below. Please complete this brief application so ACDS can add the training to your WV STARS dashboard. The training CANNOT be found on the training calendar and you cannot self enroll. If you have questions or are not sure if you need to complete the training, please contact ACDS. 

About Us

The West Virginia Apprenticeship for Child Development Specialist (ACDS) registered apprenticeship program is a partnership between the United States Department of Labor, River Valley Child Development Services (RVCDS) and early childcare programs throughout the state. The WV DHHR/BCF/Early Care and Education Division is the main source of funding for the program. The ACDS program is designed as a blend of classroom instruction and work experience. 
 

The ACDS program consists of four semesters; each 15 weeks long and between 3200 and 4000 work experience hours. Classes are one night a week and are offered statewide. There is a registration fee of $25.00 per semester to participate. Students of the ACDS program must be employed in the field of early childhood education (birth – 12) and working directly with children for a minimum of 20 hours a week. 

 

The ACDS program began offering virtual classes as a permanent part of the delivery method in the Fall 2021 semester. There is one virtual class offered for each of the four semesters. Priority for the virtual classes goes to counties/county clusters that do not offer in-person classes. If spots are available in the classes after the registration deadline, then other students will be accepted based upon the date of their request and registration completion. 
 

Program Participants Include: 
 

  • Child Care 

  • Head Start

  • Family child care

  • Home visitation

  • Public school 

  • After school programs

  • Private preschool

 “I loved ACDS and I am happy to have completed. 

I will recommend ACDS to anyone that wants to work with young children.” 

~ Anonymous Student

 611 Seventh Avenue • Huntington, WV 25701 • Phone: (304) 523-0433 - (866) WVAACDS
This program is being presented with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Department of Human Services and is administered by West Virginia Early Childhood Training Connections and Resources, a program of River Valley Child Development Services.  TCR-ECE is supported by federal funding passed through the West Virginia Department of Human Services: Federal award amount: $4,727,547 (99.9% of program budget) State award amount: $5,122 (0.1%).  TCR-OMCFH is supported by state funding through the West Virginia Department of Health.  TCR-HV is supported by federal funding passed through the West Virginia Department of Health: Federal award amount: $225,000 (100% of program budget) State award amount: $0 (0%).

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