Teacher Requirements
Child Development & Family Studies
Child Development & Family Studies
These are the minimum educational requirements for most California preschool and childcare programs.
Preschool Teacher: 12 units of Child Development to include: Child Growth and Development (CD 125), Child Family and Community (CD 131) and Program-Curriculum (CD 121, 123, 127, 129, 130, 132-133.)
Infant/Toddler Teacher: To work with children under two years of age, the teacher must have the units described above including 3 units of infant/toddler curriculum or development. (CD 124, CD 143.)
School-Age Childcare: The same 12 units are required but students may substitute coursework in Education, Human Services or Social Welfare, Recreation or Physical Education that apply to elementary school age children.
Directors: 12 units as described above and 3 units of Administration (CD 137 or 138.)
This teaching credential is required for state funded program. The Teacher level requires: 24 units of Child Development including courses in Child Growth and Development, Child, Family and Community and Program/Curriculum/Guidance and 16 units of general education with at least one class from English, Social Science, Math or Science and Humanities.
For further information go to www.childdevelopment.org.
Teachers must have a state issued credential (See Child Development Permit above) OR an Associates, Bachelors or Advanced degree in Child Development.
There are currently no mandated educational requirements for Family Home Child Care Providers except for Pediatric CPR training. Homes must be licensed through the Department of Social Services.