Let’s learn about being an Early Childhood Education

Who is the Early Childhood Education Teacher?

• An Early Childhood Education teacher in California  is a professional educator who can work with  infants, toddlers  or preschoolers.
• California has a multiple level Child Development Permit authorizing services in the care, development, and education of young children in a variety of settings.
• Each permit level has its own requirements and options for meeting these permit requirements.

Teaching Preschoolers

• The Child Development Preschool Permit structure serves as a career ladder so that permit holders can progress towards higher levels of the permit over the course of their career in early childhood education. Source: California Commission on Teaching CredentialingLinks to an external site.
• The Different requirements for  permit levels to teach preschoolers at a preschool center receiving state or federal funding are listed on California Commission on Teaching Credentialing Permit requirements. It takes you to an external site.Links to an external site.

Teaching Infant or Toddlers at Private Centers

101416.2 INFANT CARE TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS AND DUTIES (as described on Title 5 California Department of Social Services )Links to an external site.

• In addition to Section 101216.1, infant care teachers need to have taken and passed, at least 3 semesters units in early childhood education or child development, and 3 semester units in the care of infants from an approved college. After employment, a teacher who has not completed the 12 required semester units shall complete with passing grades, at least 2 units each semester until the 12 semester units are completed.
• To be a fully qualified infant care teacher, he/she shall: Complete 12 semester units, with passing grades, in early childhood education or child development. At least 3 units shall be related to the care of infants AND have a least 6 months experience in a licensed infant care program or comparable program for children under five years old.

101416.3 INFANT CARE AIDE QUALIFICATION AND DUTIES

• An aide must work under the supervision of the director or a fully qualified teacher, except when observing sleeping infants.
• Aides shall participate in an on-the job training program.
• An aide shall provide direct care and supervision to infants.

101216.1 TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

• A teacher shall have completed with passing grades a least six postsecondary semester units of specified early childhood education classes, or have a valid Child Development Assistant permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. A teacher hired with six units must complete at least two additional units each semester until fully qualified.

• A fully qualified teacher shall have 12 postsecondary semester units in early childhood education from an accredited college and six months of work experience in a licensed Child Care Center or similar program. The units specified shall include courses covering child growth and development; child, family and community; and program/curriculum.
• A teacher shall complete 15 hours of health and safety training, if necessary, pursuant to Health and Safety code, Section 1596.866.

101216.2 TEACHER AIDE QUALIFICATIONS

• An aide in a Child Care Center must be 18 years of age, a high school graduate, or be currently participating in an occupational program at high school.
• An aide shall work only under the direct supervision of a teacher.
• An aide may escort or assist children in going to the bathroom and may supervise napping children without being under the direct supervision of a teacher.

VIDEO TEACHING YOUNG CHILDREN

• Check this video which focus on the work of early childhood education teachers: Youtube Video: A Day in the life of an Early Childhood Educator by YorkRegionGovLinks to an external site.