The first thing to do when you want to pursue a career in daycare education in the state of Kentucky is to become a license daycare provider. The state has their own rules regarding daycare centers which include the requirements or the workers qualifications.
Daycare providers and daycare teaching staff should be 18 years old and have completed secondary education or has achieved GED, or any certificate equivalent that is credited by Kentucky. When submitting for a childcare license, this should also include $50 fee that is nonrefundable. Aside from this, you should have two character references to the state. Former or current employer, former teachers or professors, or supervisors from volunteer work are the best sources for character references.
Classes offered through the State
The classes offered in the State of Kentucky are not far different from the other states of America. Degrees on childhood education, childhood development, or childcare management are being offered in the different universities and colleges found in the state of Kentucky. For those who have taken up different courses, the state might recognize several courses that is closely related to childhood education and that they should have the equivalent subject credits.
Child Care Laws, Child Growth and Development, Family and Community Relations, First Aid and CPR, Nutrition and Health, Psychology, and Small Business Management are the common classes included in childcare courses. Aside from these, basic education classes such as English, Mathematics, Sociology and others should also be taken up.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
The certificates given for completed classes in the state of Kentucky does not differ to those certificates given in other states of America. Normally, certificates such as CDA, CCP, and NAC are given to those daycare providers given that they have accomplished the necessary coursework, completed the required credit hours, and obtained at least the minimum working experience. Trainings on CPR or First Aid are also given certification since it is also a requirement in the state of Kentucky.
Moreover, the state of Kentucky may not specify a certification that is exclusive to the state. Thus, the state’s departments which are assigned to the welfare of the children assures and continues to improve the quality of residential and foster care for children and youth by empowering the skills of the people in charge for everyday nurturing, care, and discipline of children either in residential facilities or foster home care. Several trainings are offered by the state and they are usually free of charge.
To gain the Child Development Associate credential or CDA, daycare providers must be a high school graduate or a holder of GED certification with 480 working hours and 120 hours for formal education with children in the last five years. The Certified Childcare Professional certificate is given to those daycare providers are intended for those daycare teachers who did not finish their college degree or taken up a different course.
Lastly, the state of Kentucky offers the NAC or the National Administrator Credential designed for aspiring daycare managers and directors. This credential concentrates more on the management of the organization as well as the administration, site maintenance, and planning and development of childcare programs.
Cost of the Classes
Universities and colleges located in the state of Kentucky have an average tuition fee, ranging from $800 to $20,000 per year. The cost differs as factors such as type of the school, location of the school, and the degree you are enrolled to affects the rate of tuition fee. Several organizations such as TEACH and CARE have course works or classes that are credited by the state. However, classes of CARE are not approved by the state of Kentucky.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
Childcare courses or degrees are highly preferable and recommended for those individual who want to establish a career in daycare or childcare industry. In addition to the degrees, working experience and credit hours should also pass the requirement of the state.
To know more how to become a licensed daycare provider, here are the things that you need to know:
- Daycare providers should be 21 years old and above and have attained secondary education or has GED certification. The education of a daycare provider matters as more children you can take care of if you have attained higher degree. Taking care of 13 children in your home or 4 above children in day care center is only allowed to those providers who have college degree, plus 3 years work experience or credential in child development. Caring for 4 and 12 children in your home would require you to complete secondary education and has one year work experience (with children) or child development certification.
- The licensing process begins by connecting to the Regulated Childcare Division of the state. This department or division will give you assistance on the correct applications, information on training sessions, and help in arranging required inspections and background checks.
- Join training sessions as the state of Kentucky obliges daycare providers to undergo six hours of training within the three month period from the opening of the center, and a minimum of 12 hours annual training.
- Get all necessary licenses (such as business licenses) and TIN (tax identification numbers). Zoning approval may be needed for your daycare center but it is only dependent to your location as well as the occupancy certification. You can contact your local Division of Regulated Childcare office to help you access these forms.
- Secure liability insurance. A minimum of $100,000 insurance or liability coverage is needed in the state of Kentucky.
- Finish CPR and first aid training. Daycare providers must assure that their certificates are recent.
- Pass your application form with the documents needed and payment (fee). $50.00 is the initial license fee in the state of Kentucky in year 2010.
Furthermore, the state requires daycare providers and their staff to take TB test as well as have a background check.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
There are several departments in the state of Kentucky that handles childcare and family welfare. You can contact them for more information and inquiries regarding the licensing procedures, fees, classes required and the like. You can reach the following departments:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Kentucky Office of Inspector General
Cabinet for Health and Family Services
Division of Regulated Child Care
275 East Main Street
Frankfort, KY 40621
Phone: (502) 564-7962
Fax: (502) 564-9350
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Kentucky Department of Education
500 Metro Street, 1st Floor
Frankfort, KY, 40601
Phone: (502) 564-8341
Fax: (502) 564-1984
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Kentucky Partnership for Early Childhood Services
Human Development Institute/ University of Kentucky
126 Mineral Industries Building
Lexington, KY 40506-0051
Phone: (859) 257-4911
Toll Free: (800)956-8950
Fax: (859) 323-4757
