CPS Certification class

Kipani4jc · Oct 10, 2010

What can you tell me about it? How hard is it etc?
Im pretty knowledgeable on car seat safety from reading posts here and doing research on my own. It just so happens theres a class next week here in my town. DH also has the week off that week so Id have childcare taken care of too.

Its definitely something Ive been wanting to do. I guess im just nervous though. Ill be gone 9-5 for 4 days and DH will be in charge. That right there can be terrifying...haha!

(I hope this post is in the right spot. It didnt really seem to fit anywhere else.)

Tiffany

msg221 · Oct 10, 2010

I just finished my class about 3 weeks ago. It wasn't hard at all, especially if you already have knowledge from the boards here.

Usually I have a hard time being in all day classes, but I really enjoyed this one and it always held my attention (guess it helps to have good instructors as well).

The written tests weren't overly hard and they were open book and not timed or anything, so that was nice. I didn't even need to refer to the book most of the time. I got 100% on all three tests.

The skills tests had me a little more nervous at first, but once you are actually doing them, it is much easier. Learning all of the different types of seat belts was confusing at first since it felt like information overload. I found that once I was actually able to get in a vehicle and see what they were talking about and examine the seat belts, it made a lot more sense and was easier to understand. The only thing that I found that made the one skills test where we had to identify misuse difficult was the fact that the vehicles we were using were parked in a parking garage so it was sometimes hard to see what you were looking at since it was dark in some spots. If you know this is where yours will be, I would recommend bringing a small flashlight so you can see everything on the seat!

I think you should go for it. I think it was definitely worth the time and expense, especially since it's something I am passionate about.

mykidsmylife · Oct 10, 2010

Go for it for sure.
I was really bored in class because I knew everything they were teaching. I only missed one on my test and that was b/c I didn't read the full answer.
The skills test was easy and I was done in 15min and about 30min before anyone else.

Yeah it was hard leaving the kids, but it was totally worth it.

Go for it. You will not regret doing it....

Kipani4jc · Oct 10, 2010

Thanks! Im pretty sure the cars will be out in an open lot. I know where the class is held at, and there are no parking garages anywhere near! Whew!

I hope the instructor is a good one. Im pretty sure Ive got A.D.D....lol. This is something Im very passionate about as well, so that helps.

Was the class 9-5 every day? Did you get out early or late?

msg221 said:
I just finished my class about 3 weeks ago. It wasn't hard at all, especially if you already have knowledge from the boards here.

Usually I have a hard time being in all day classes, but I really enjoyed this one and it always held my attention (guess it helps to have good instructors as well).

The written tests weren't overly hard and they were open book and not timed or anything, so that was nice. I didn't even need to refer to the book most of the time. I got 100% on all three tests.

The skills tests had me a little more nervous at first, but once you are actually doing them, it is much easier. Learning all of the different types of seat belts was confusing at first since it felt like information overload. I found that once I was actually able to get in a vehicle and see what they were talking about and examine the seat belts, it made a lot more sense and was easier to understand. The only thing that I found that made the one skills test where we had to identify misuse difficult was the fact that the vehicles we were using were parked in a parking garage so it was sometimes hard to see what you were looking at since it was dark in some spots. If you know this is where yours will be, I would recommend bringing a small flashlight so you can see everything on the seat!

I think you should go for it. I think it was definitely worth the time and expense, especially since it's something I am passionate about.

Kipani4jc · Oct 10, 2010

Thanks! I need to talk to DH when he gets up for work. He said before that he didn't mind me going.

mykidsmylife said:
Go for it for sure.
I was really bored in class because I knew everything they were teaching. I only missed one on my test and that was b/c I didn't read the full answer.
The skills test was easy and I was done in 15min and about 30min before anyone else.

Yeah it was hard leaving the kids, but it was totally worth it.

Go for it. You will not regret doing it....

emtb79 · Oct 10, 2010

My class ran from 830-430 and yes pretty much everyday.

msg221 · Oct 10, 2010

I actually found a class that was held on Friday and Saturday, two weeks in a row. The first 3 classes were 8-5 and the last class was 8-12 because it was a seat check event. If we did get done earlier, it was only by an hour. It will probably depend on how many are in your class as well. We had about 16 people and on the last skills and written tests, they had us split up so half of us were doing the skills test while the other half took the written test, then we switched.

I am really glad that they did a Fri/Sat class over a 2 week perioid because it would have been really hard for me to take off 4 days of work on my own. I mean, I could have between using my vacation time and taking my required furlough days, but I really didn't want to use that much vacation time or have to use more than 1 furlough day in a single pay period (I couldn't afford to do that!)

Aurezalia · Oct 10, 2010

Mine starts tomorrow (As evidenced by my siggy, haha)
Mine runs from 8 - 5 M-W, and then we have our seat check Thurs morning. I'm a little nervous but quite excited, especially as I'm being assured that after hanging out here I pretty much know everything being presented in the class anyway. :thumbsup:

ketchupqueen · Oct 10, 2010

We got out early almost every day at mine; the people who were struggling stayed behind for extra help. The tests were a breeze for me, since I hang out on car seat boards online.

The hardest part was keeping my mouth shut and if I had a question above the basic level the class was on, waiting until a break to ask it personally-- since, um, most of the class was struggling with the basic stuff.

Carrie_R · Oct 10, 2010

Do it. If you have childcare taken care of and can afford the class fee, and they still have spots, I think you'll be really glad to have done it.

ETA: My class was only three days, and we got out a bit early almost every day. I didn't find it too difficult, and if you know the basics, you probably won't, either.

Kipani4jc · Oct 10, 2010

Im glad it worked out like that for you! It worked out for me since DH took that week as a vacation week. We didn't plan on going anywhere either.

So far there are 10 signed up for the class. Id make 11. That would be awesome if its that small.

msg221 said:
I actually found a class that was held on Friday and Saturday, two weeks in a row. The first 3 classes were 8-5 and the last class was 8-12 because it was a seat check event. If we did get done earlier, it was only by an hour. It will probably depend on how many are in your class as well. We had about 16 people and on the last skills and written tests, they had us split up so half of us were doing the skills test while the other half took the written test, then we switched.

I am really glad that they did a Fri/Sat class over a 2 week perioid because it would have been really hard for me to take off 4 days of work on my own. I mean, I could have between using my vacation time and taking my required furlough days, but I really didn't want to use that much vacation time or have to use more than 1 furlough day in a single pay period (I couldn't afford to do that!)

Kipani4jc · Oct 10, 2010

GL! I hope it goes well!

Aurezalia said:
Mine starts tomorrow (As evidenced by my siggy, haha)
Mine runs from 8 - 5 M-W, and then we have our seat check Thurs morning. I'm a little nervous but quite excited, especially as I'm being assured that after hanging out here I pretty much know everything being presented in the class anyway. :thumbsup:

CPS Certification class

Kipani4jc

CPS Technician

msg221

Well-known member

mykidsmylife

Well-known member

Kipani4jc

CPS Technician

Kipani4jc

CPS Technician

emtb79

New member

msg221

Well-known member

Aurezalia

Well-known member

ketchupqueen

CPST and ketchup snob

Carrie_R

Ambassador - CPS Technician

Kipani4jc

CPS Technician

Kipani4jc

CPS Technician

Car-Seat.Org Facebook Group

Sponsors

Forum statistics