There are two types of family child care providers: Level I and Level II.

A Level I Provider must:

  • Be at least 18 years old;
  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent;
  • Have certifications in first aid and in CPR;
  • Be certified to administer medication;
  • Complete six hours of quality-assured child development training;
  • Complete three hours of quality-assured positive behavior management training;
  • Complete child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting training;
  • Complete pre-service health and safety training; and
  • Complete at least 12 clock hours of annual training including one hour of health or safety training within the first year of being licensed.

A Level II Provider must:

  • Be at least 18 years old;
  • Have a high school diploma or its equivalent and have either: 24 months of experience working with children in a group; or three months of supervised student teaching; or 24 months providing child care as a licensed Level I family home with no substantiated complaints for serious health and safety violations, or substantial non-compliance;
  • Have certifications in first aid and in CPR;
  • Be certified to administer medication;
  • Complete six hours of quality-assured child development training;
  • Complete three hours of quality-assured positive behavior management training;
  • Complete child abuse and neglect recognition and reporting training;
  • Complete pre-service health and safety training;
  • Complete at least 12 clock hours of annual training including one hour of health or safety training within the first year of being licensed.

And have either:

  • 60 clock hours of training with three clock hours in each of the core topic areas (see list below);
    or
  • Three college/university credits from a regionally approved college or university in courses related to any of the core topic areas;
    or
  • Qualified as at least an early childhood assistant teacher as per DELACARE: Regulations for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers (2020).

Core Topic Areas: child development; developmental curriculum planning/environment and curriculum; observation and assessment; positive behavior management/social-emotional development; health, safety, physical activity, and nutrition; family and community; professionalism; and management and administration related to running a child care