Day Care Centres and Family Day Care Centres have different Licensing Standards in the State of Delaware. The Licensing Standards for day care centres would be the focus.
For day care centres to be licensed in the state of Delaware, they must conform to the states licensing standards. Not only the requirements for day care centres are stated in the licensing standards; administration or personnel, human resources, and physical environment and safety are as well defined. These are some of the significant provisions which contribute to the overall welfare of the children are being embodied.
Classes offered through the State
The State of Delaware offers degree courses for child education or child development courses. Courses offered in some universities include Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Elementary Special Education.
Moreover, any equivalent or similar classes to Early Childhood Education are accepted. On the other hand, aspiring day care providers and staff should take into consideration subjects such as Early Childhood Education, Literacy Development, and Special Needs Children, Keeping Records and Assessing Children, and Professional Behaviour classes or equivalent. General education should be taken by staff including Mathematics, Writing, Sociology, Science, Psychology, and Communication.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
Similar to any other U.S states, Connecticut offers three major certificates for day care providers and staff. These include CCP, CDA, and NAC.
- 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 needed to be renewed every two (2) years through completion of 20-hour work in either business or administration.
Also, the state requires day care providers and their staff to take First Aid course or CPR trainings (cardiopulmonary-resuscitations).
Cost of the Classes
The State of Delaware provides scholarship grants to those students who are taking up childcare related courses. The estimated cost for these courses can range from $10,000 to $25,000 per year. The tuition rate will depend on the university, degree level the student is enrolled to. Also, if the student is in-state or out-state will affect the tuition fee as in-state tuition fees are quite cheaper compared to out-state.
For trainings such as First Aid or CPR, it may be offered by the government and are very cheap or no charge at all.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
According to the Licensing Standards of Delaware, program director of the day care should be at least 21 years old. The program director should qualify in either of the following requirement:
- Obtained a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and not less than 12 credit hours for child development, childhood education, and the like. An experience of a year’s work with a group of children.
- Associate degree is accepted as long as it is closely-related with child development, early childhood education, psychology, and the like. 12 credit hours of the said courses as well as 18 months of experience working with group of children.
- CDA programs and 24 months of experience working with children in a group setting.
- High school diploma, GED certificate, or equivalent is also acceptable. 12 credit hours of child development or early childhood education given by an accredited college or university as well as thirty-six (36) months of experience working with children in a group setting.
Classes such as child development and psychology are very essential classes as this will broaden the understanding of day care providers and their staff on the behavior of the children. Providers and their staff should also take child literature, English, math, sociology, and computer classes.
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 government agencies of the State of Delaware that you can contact:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Delaware Department of Children, Youth and Their Families
Office of Child Care Licensing
1825 Faulkland Road
Wilmington, DE 19805-1121
Phone: (302) 892-5800
Toll Free: (800) 822-2236 (within State)
Fax: (302) 633-5112
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
State of Delaware Department of Education
Improvement and Assistance Branch, Townsend Building, Suite 2
401 Federal Street
Dover, DE, 19901-3639
Phone: (302) 735-4210
Fax: (302) 739-2388
Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
The Family and Workplace Connection
3511 Silverside Road, 100 Wilson Building
Wilmington, DE 19810-4902
Phone: (302) 479-1679
Fax: (302) 479-1693
