The California State separated the Licensing Standards for Daycare Center, School Aged Center, and Specialized Care of Mildly-Ill Children
Defined in the Licensing Standard Requirements for Day Care Centres in Arkansas are the requirements for licensing day cares, the responsibilities, as well as the educational requirements for day care directors and their day care staffs. Education and training are very important when it comes to day care centres since you will be dealing with different children from infants, toddlers, and to preschool children. Attending classes and trainings will help the provider and staff to give the quality service as well as the over-all welfare of children.
Classes offered through the State
Comparable to other states, California recommends Early Childhood Education or Childhood Development courses. Other programs that are closely-related are being accepted as well.
Similar or equivalent classes included in Early Childhood Education degrees or Childhood Development can be enrolled by the day care providers and day care staff. Important classes that they should take are Introduction to Early Childhood Education, Literacy Development, Special Needs Children, Keeping Records and Assessing Children, and Professional Behaviour classes. There are also general education classes that are being taught, which include Mathematics, Writing, Sociology, Science, Psychology, and Communication.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
Arkansas offers the CCP, CDA, and NAC certificates for those providers and staff that complete day care classes.
- Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) – This credential is given to those individuals who intend to educate young children, particularly to those who demonstrate knowledge and skills in early childhood development.
- Child Development Associate (CDA) – This certificate is given to those staffs or teachers that have completed at least 4.5 continuing education units or a 3-credit-hour course for renewal. Classes or courses that can be credited for CDA include early childhood education and development, mental health counseling and principles of adult learning. For those renewal candidates, they are required to acquire 80-hour work experience either with young children or their families in the previous years. They should also become a member of any local or national early childhood professional organization as well as earn first aid certification.
- National Administrator Credential (NAC) – This certificate is intended for current and aspiring childcare managers and directors. Discussed issues include managing staff, maintaining facilities and developing programs. The NAC certification is required to be renewed every two (2) years through completion of 20-hour work in either business or administration.
First Aid course or a child cardiopulmonary-resuscitation (CPR) and preventative health services are also recommended for daycare providers and staff.
Cost of the Classes
The cost of childcare courses such as Early Childhood Development or Childhood Psychology, and other closely-related field ranges from $4,500 to $12,000 per year. There are certain universities that offers free of charge for those in-state enrollees and online courses offer cheap tuition fees or at times no tuition fee at all.
The State department of California also offers trainings to aspiring day care providers and each training roughly cost $105.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
The Licensing Standards of Day Care Centres in California defines the qualifications, responsibilities of day care providers and its staff.
Day care providers and directors should be at least 21 years old. For teachers and staff, age requirement is at least 18 years old.
The state of California requires high school diploma or GED and should have passing grades. Day care providers and staff should have courses that cover classes that involve general areas of child growth and development or human growth development, child, family, and community, or child and family program or curriculum. They should also enrol in universities or colleges that are approved by the state. Moreover, at least four years of teaching experience in a licensed child care centre or comparable group child care program is also a requisite.
Other requisites include 12 postsecondary units in early childhood education or child development and should have 6 months experience or have a valid CSA and 6 months on-the-job-training and/or work experience; Children’s Centre Permit issued by the CA Commission for Teacher Preparation and Licensing is also acceptable.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
For those who want to establish their own daycare or interested in daycare job positions, you can contact your state departments for inquiries about day care classes, child care trainings, and the licensing standards. Listed here are the California government agencies that you can contact:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
California Department of Social Services
Community Care Licensing Division
Child Care Licensing Program
744 P Street, Mail Stop 19-48
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 229-4500
Fax: (916)-229-4508
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
California Department of Education
Child Development Division
1430 N Street Suite 3410
Sacramento, CA, 95814
Phone: (916) 446-7349
Fax: (916) 323-6853
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
California Child Care Resource & Referral Network
111 New Montgomery Street, 7th Floor
San Francisco, CA 94105
Phone: (415) 882-0234
Fax: (415) 882-6233
