Do you want to become a school-age professional who supports children from kindergarten through age 12 in licensed child care centers? Delaware offers many ways to earn certification based on the type of position you want. See below for each position’s requirements.
Related: See requirements for becoming an early care professional in birth to second grade.
Related: See college course list for qualifications for certifications in licensed school-age centers.
School-Age Intern
Performs direct child care functions and works under the direct observation of at least a school-age site assistant but may be alone with toddlers through school-age children, if at least 18 years old, determined eligible by the Criminal History Unit, and has worked at the center for at least 25 hours per week for one month as specified in regulations.
To qualify for this position, you must be at least 16 years of age and meet one of the following options:
- Option A. Earn at least three credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in recreation, elementary education, school-age care, or school-age administration. You must receive at least a C- in the course.
- Option B: Complete at least 8 hours of training in school-age care from one of these Quality-Assured School-age Training Institutions and Health and Safety Training for Child Care Professionals that is accessed through Delaware Institute for Excellence in Early Childhood – DIEEC.
No additional experience necessary.
Please note an early childhood intern may be 15 years of age if currently attending a high school’s early care and education program.
School-Age Site Assistant
Performs direct child care functions and related duties at a school-age center. Assists in the implementation of curriculum. Works under the supervision of a school-age administrator. May supervise school-age interns, school-age aides, volunteers, and substitutes.
To qualify for this position, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent recognized by the Delaware Department of Education, and meet one of the following education and experience options:
Education:
- Option A:
Successfully complete three credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in recreation, elementary education, school-age care, or school-age administration. You must receive at least a C- in the course.
- Option B: Complete at least 45 hours of training in school-age care from one of these Quality-Assured School-age Training Institutions.
Experience:
- Option A: A minimum of one year of part-time experience from September to June (to include 500 hours) providing education/care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
- Option B: Full-time employment during the majority of one summer season June through August (to include 500 hours) providing education/care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
An additional way to qualify for this position is to complete 15 clock hours of quality assured training in school-age care and one of the following experience options:
- Option A: A minimum of two years of part-time experience from September to June (to include 750 hours) providing education/care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
- Option B: Full-time employment for one school year (to include 750 hours) providing education/care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
- Option C: Full-time employment during the majority of two summer seasons June through August (to include 750 hours) providing education/care to children in kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
NOTE: Supervised experience may reduce the required experience by half.
School-Age Administrator
Performs direct or supervisory responsibility for the school-age center’s total program of services to children. Develops and evaluates curriculum and implements or monitors implementation of curriculum and daily activities for children at the school-age center. Supervises all school-age staff members.
To qualify for this position, you must be at least 20 years of age and have a high school diploma or its equivalent recognized by the Delaware Department of Education, and one of the options below:
- Option A: Complete 12 credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in recreation, elementary education, school-age care, or school-age administration and six months of full-time experience (to include 500 hours) working with children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting. You must receive at least a C- in the course.
- Option B: Complete six credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in recreation, elementary education, school-age care, or school-age administration, and complete 72-hour of training in school-age care from one of these Quality-Assured School-age Training Institutions, and six months’ experience (to include 500 hours) working with children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
- Option C: Complete 72-hour of training in school-age care from one of these Quality-Assured School-age Training Institutions and 12 months’ work experience (to include 1,000 hours) with children kindergarten through sixth grade in a group setting.
Quality-Assured Training
School-age quality-assured training will be accepted from any of these companies:
