This User's Guide discusses the content and character of the Flexible Learning System (FLS), a series of 15 "competency units" designed for inservice and preservice training in early childhood education. The FLS focuses on classroom process rather than prescribed curriculum, and reflects the values of open education. This publication is a guide to the FLS and the character of its use. The guide includes one-page descriptions of each of the competency units; a discussion of the FLS concept and its development and the characteristics of training implicit in the system; a report on the field testing carried out, and a description of FLS information dissemination and workshops. (MS)