Educator Requirements: Birth through Second Grade

Performs direct child care functions and related duties under the supervision of an early childhood teacher and the direct observation of at least an early childhood assistant teacher.

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 either child development or early childhood education. You must receive at least a C- in the course.
• Option B. Complete at least 8 hours of quality-assured training in early care and education 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.

This individual 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 the regulations.

Performs direct child care functions and related duties and assists in the implementation of curriculum under the supervision of at least an early childhood teacher. May supervise early childhood interns, early childhood aides, volunteers, and substitutes.

To qualify for this position, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent recognized by the Delaware Department of Education, and have a minimum of six months’ work experience (to include 500 hours) working with children birth through second grade in a group setting, and meet one of the following options:

• Option A: Complete TECE 1 or 60 hours of quality-assured training that may be counted towards a CDA from one of these training entities. Be sure to complete at least 10 hours in at least 4 CDA subject areas. Please note scholarships are available from the Early Childhood Innovation Center | Innovative Support for Children (desu.edu). Scholarships are provided for training hours, even if a person does not wish to obtain a CDA.
• Option B: Complete a traditional high school’s early care and education program in 2018 to present. You must receive at least a C- in the program.
• Option C: Earn at least six college credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university with three in early childhood education and three credits in child development. You must receive at least a C- in the courses.

Note: Supervised experience may reduce the required experience by half.

Performs direct child care functions and related duties under the supervision of an early childhood administrator and is immediately responsible for the direct care, supervision, guidance, and education of children at a center. This person implements the curriculum and daily activities for a group of children and may supervise early childhood assistant teachers, early childhood interns, early childhood aides, volunteers, and substitutes.

To qualify for this position, you must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or its equivalent recognized by the Delaware Department of Education, and meet one of the following options:

• Option A: Complete TECE 1 and TECE 2, Professional Preparation: Early Childhood Education (PP-ECE), or 120 hours of quality-assured training that may be counted towards a CDA from one of these training entities. Be sure to complete at least 10 hours in each of the 8 CDA subject areas. Please note scholarships are available from the Early Childhood Innovation Center | Innovative Support for Children (desu.edu). Scholarships are provided for training hours, even if a person does not wish to obtain a CDA.
• Option B: Have a valid Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).
• Option C: Earn at least nine college credits from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university of which three must be in early childhood education, three in child development, and three in early childhood positive behavior supports. You must receive at least a C- in the courses.
• Option D: Complete a vocational/technical high school three-year early care and education program or a traditional high school’s early care education program in 2017 or prior. You must receive at least a C- in the program.
• Option E: Earn a Montessori Infant and Toddler Full/Associate credential or Montessori Early Childhood Full/Associate credential from a MACTE approved training program.
• Option F: Have an associate or bachelor’s degree from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, elementary education, elementary special education, or child psychology with successful completion of six credits in child development or early childhood
  and
  Three months of supervised student teaching birth through second grade
  or
  Six months’ work experience (including 500 hours) with children birth through second grade in a group setting.
• Option G: Have an associate or bachelor’s degree from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university in any area of study/major with successful completion of six credits in child development or early childhood, and
  Six months’ work experience (to include 500 hours) working with children birth through second grade in a group setting.

Note: Education options A-E also require a minimum of 12 months’ work experience (including 1,000 hours) with children birth through second grade in a group setting. Supervised experience may reduce the required work experience by half.

Has direct responsibility for the center’s total program of services provided to children and their families, including administrative aspects whenever applicable. This person may evaluate curriculum and monitor implementation of curriculum and daily activities for children. Supervises all staff.

To qualify for this position, you must be at least 21 years of age, have a minimum of 12 months’ work experience (including 1,000 hours) working with children ages birth through second grade in a group setting, and meet one of the following options:

• Option A: Have an associate or bachelor’s degree from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university to include successful completion of fifteen credits in early childhood education with three credits from each of the following areas:
  • Child development
  • Developmental curriculum planning or environment and curriculum
  • Social-emotional development
  • Observation or assessment
  • Early childhood elective
• Option B: Have an associate or bachelor’s degree from a C-RAC Member accredited college or university with three credits in early care and education and a valid Child Development Associate Credential (CDA).

Note: A school teacher who is currently certified to work with birth through second grade children meets the education and experience qualifications to be an early childhood administrator. Three months of supervised student teaching of children birth through second grade as part of a college or university program may substitute for six months of the required experience.