Licensing and Teacher Requirements
- Community Care Licensing Title 22
- Title 5, California Code of Regulations
- Regulation and Licensing of Child Care Programs In California
- EARLY EDUCATION AND CHILD CARE REGULATION QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE
- Head Start Staff qualifications and competency requirements
Teacher Permits vs. Teacher Credentialing
Somewhat similar to a teaching credential, teacher permits demonstrate to the local community and the administration of the program that you are able to meet the criteria set forth by the state of California. There are currently 6 levels of permits in the state of California. Both credentialing and teacher permits come from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.
Resources for Permits
- Child Development Permits
- Early Childhood Credentials/Permits Issued by the Commission
- Levels of Child Development Permit
- Permit Matrix
Infant/Toddler Teacher
for someone who is interested in teaching in being a teacher/caregiver in an infant or toddler classroom, there are certain criteria that must be met.
Title 22 Infant Teacher/Caregiver Requirements
With a passing grade and prior to employment, the teacher shall complete at least 12 units of education from an accredited college or university. Required courses include:
1. Child Growth and Development
2. Child, Family, and Community
3. One course with the specific focus related to the care of infants and toddlers or shall contain instruction specific to infants and toddlers.
4. One curriculum course. It would be beneficial to take an infant/toddler curriculum course if available.
Experience shall be verified as having been performed satisfactorily, at least three hours per day for a minimum of 50 days in a six-month period, as a paid or volunteer staff member under the supervision of a person who would qualify as a teacher or director.
Resource
Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties
Preschool Teacher
For someone who is interested in teaching in a preschool classroom, there are criteria that will need to be met depending on what type of program you are going to work at. If you are looking to work at a private program or one that primarily receives tuition, then they will most likely follow Title 22 requirements. If you are going to work at a Head Start or a State Funded program, then you will need to meet different criteria based on Title 5.
Title 22 Requirements
With a passing grade and prior to employment, the teacher shall complete at least 12 units of education from an accredited college or university. Required courses include:
1. Child Growth and Development or human growth and development
2. Child, Family, and Community or Child and Family
3. Programs/Curriculum; Intro to Curriculum or Principles and Practices in Early Childhood.
4. One additional child development course
Experience shall be verified as having been performed satisfactorily, at least three hours per day for a minimum of 50 days in a six-month period, as a paid or volunteer staff member under the supervision of a person who would qualify as a teacher or director.
Title 5 Requirements
Associate Teacher: 12 ECE Units (see qualifications above for Title 22 Teachers)
Teacher: 24 ECE units + 16 GE units
Master Teacher: Teacher + 6 ECE units in specialization + 2 adult supervision units
Other Positions in the field
Assistant Teacher/ Teacher Aide
Title 22
With a passing grade and prior to employment, the teacher shall complete at least 6 units of education from an accredited college or university. Required courses include:
1. Child Growth and Development or human growth and development
2. Child, Family, and Community or Child and Family
Continued education to achieve at least the other 6 units for teacher.
Transitional Kindergarten Teacher (TK Teacher)
If you are interested in teaching in a Transitional Kindergarten classroom, teachers must meet the multi-subject teacher credential to teach kindergarten. In addition to this, by August 1, 2020, teachers will also be required to hold one of the following:
- At least 24 units in early childhood education, or childhood development, or both.
- As determined by the LEA employing the teacher, professional experience in a classroom setting with preschool age children that is comparable to the 24 units of education described in bullet
- A child development teacher permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC).
Resources for Transitional Kindergarten