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• What are the specific qualifications and experience your caregiver should have?

• Center Directors
• At least 21 years old.



• A Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, nursing, or other child related field (for example: elementary education); OR a combination of college coursework and experience, including:


• A minimum of four courses in child development and early childhood education;



• Two years of experience, under qualified supervision, working as a teacher serving the ages and developmental abilities of the children enrolled in the center where the individual will act as the director;



• A course in business administration/management or early childhood administration, or at least 6 months of on-the-job training in an administrative position.


• A valid certificate in pediatric first aid, including management of a blocked airway, and rescue breathing.



• Knowledge of community resources available to children with special needs and the ability to use these resources to make referrals or ensure coordination.



• Administrative and management skills in facility operations.



• Capability in curriculum design.



• Oral and written communication skills.



• Demonstrated life experience skills in working with children in more than one setting. The director of a center enrolling more than 60 children should have the above and at least 3 years experience as a teacher of children in the age group(s) enrolled in the center where the individual will act as the director, plus at least 6 months experience in administration.


• Center Teachers and Educational Coordinators
• At least 21 years of age.



• One year or more years of experience, under qualified supervision, working as a teacher serving the ages and developmental abilities of the children in care.



• A Bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, social work, nursing, or other child-related field, or a combination of experience and relevant college coursework.



• A valid certificate in pediatric first aid, including management of a blocked airway and rescue breathing.



• Knowledge of normal child development and early childhood education, as well as knowledge of children who are not developing typically.



• The ability to respond appropriately to children's needs.



• The ability to recognize signs of illness and safety hazards.



• Oral and written communication skills.



• Additionally, facilities serving children with special needs associated with developmental delay should have one licensed/certified teacher who is certified in special education.




• Center Associate and Assistant Teachers, Volunteers and Aides
• Associate teachers should be at least 18 years of age and should have an Associate's degree in early childhood education or child development, and 6 or more months' of experience in child care.



• Assistant teachers should be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and participate in on-the-job training, including orientation to the developmental needs of young children and access to consultation, with periodic review, by a supervisory staff member.



• Aides and volunteers should be at least 16 years of age and should participate in on-the-job training, including orientation to the developmental needs of young children.



• Driver who transports children for a child care program should be at least 21 years of age.



• All associate teachers, assistant teachers, aides, drivers, and volunteers should possess:


• The ability to carry out assigned tasks competently under the supervision of another staff member;



• An understanding of and the ability to respond appropriately to children's needs;



• Sound judgment;



• Emotional maturity.




• Family Home Caregivers
• At least 21 years of age.



• Hold an official credential or license as granted by the authorized state agency.



• Current accreditation by the National Association for Family Child Care (including entry-level qualifications and participation in required training) and have a college certificate representing a minimum of 3 credit hours of family child care leadership or master caregiver training OR hold an Associate's degree in early childhood education or child development.



• A valid certificate in pediatric first aid, including management of a blocked airway and rescue breathing.



• Preservice training on recognizing signs of illness and safety hazards.



• Knowledge of normal child development, as well as knowledge of children who are not developing typically.



• The ability to respond appropriately to children's needs.



• Oral and written communication skills.




• Additionally, large family child care home (7 to 12 children) caregivers should have at least 1 year of experience, under qualified supervision, serving the ages and developmental abilities of the children in their large family child care home.





• Additional knowledge when working with infants and toddlers


Demonstrate skill in the following tasks associated with caring for infants and toddlers such as:

• Diapering;


• Bathing;


• Feeding;


• Holding;


• Comforting;


• Putting babies down to sleep on their backs and on a firm surface to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS);


• Providing positive relationships with children.


• Additional knowledge when working with 3 to 5 year olds
• Typical and not typical development of 3- to 5-year-old children.



• Social and emotional development of children, including children's development of independence and their ability to adapt to their environment and cope with stress.



• Cognitive, language, early literacy, and mathematics development of children through activities in the classroom.



• Cultural backgrounds of the children in the program's care.




• Additional knowledge when working with school age children
• Able to recognize and appropriately manage difficult behaviors (Example: bullying).



• How to implement a program that meets the physical, social and academic needs of school age (5- to 12-years of age) children.




• Training (which should be revisited every 3 years) on the following topics


• Knowledge about the developmental stages of each child in care.Child care as a support to parents.Parent relations.Ways that infectious diseases are spread.Procedures for preventing the spread of disease, including handwashing, sanitation, diaper changing, food handling, health department notification of reportable diseases, equipment, toy selection and proper washing, and health issues related to having pets in the facility.Immunization requirements for children and staff.Common childhood illnesses and their management, including when children should not attend.Organization of the facility to reduce the risks for illness and injury.Teaching other caregivers and children about infection control and injury prevention.Occupational health and safety practices, such as proper procedures, in accordance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) bloodborne pathogens regulations.Emergency procedures.Promotion of health in the child care setting.Management of a blocked airway, rescue breathing, and other first aid procedures.Recognition and reporting of child abuse in compliance with state laws.Nutrition.Knowledge of medication administration policies and practices.
• Caring for children with special needs in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).


• Special Note on State Licensing Regulations

Caregivers are required to meet the state licensing requirements regarding caregiver qualifications and training. Because child care is licensed by states in which they are located, and there are no "national rules", some states try to meet what are considered optimal qualifications and training requirements as described in Caring for Our Children and in NAEYC Accreditation. Other states do not. For a look at the differences in states requirements, see the National Association for Regulatory Administration and the National Child Care Information Center's 2005 Licensing Study. .


• Why are qualifications and training important?
• College level coursework in early care and education / child development has been shown to have a measurable, positive effect on the quality of child care.



• Knowledge of brain development stages and learning methods enhances caregivers' ability to work with very young children appropriately and to the full benefit of the child.



• Knowledge of infectious diseases, methods of transmitting and prevention techniques reduces the spread of disease among children.



• Knowledge of injury prevention measures controls known risks and reduces injuries among children.



• Pediatric first aid training is essential to respond quickly to injuries and emergencies



• Management skills and training are essential for a director to make sure there is an efficient, safe and motivated environment for all workers in the facility.