Pursuing a career in childcare or daycare education requires those aspiring individuals to become a license daycare provider first. The state of Louisiana has their own rules regarding daycare centers which are composed of workers requirements and qualifications.
The state’s Department of Children & Family Services requires all daycare and child care staff to pass the criminal background check and must oblige to submit a written statement from a physician ensuring that the staff is in good health. In addition, the staff shall be 18 years old above while the directors should not be less than 21 years old.
Classes offered through the State
The state of Louisiana offers classes and degrees that 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 Louisiana. 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 Louisiana 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. All state of America requires daycare providers and staff to attend trainings on CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and First Aid.
Moreover, the state of Louisiana 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.
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.
As mentioned earlier, daycare or childcare facility director should be 21 years old and above. The state’s Department of Social Services, Bureau of Licensing obliges director candidate to fit into one or more of the following criteria:
- An associate or bachelor degree holder from a credited college or university, not less than 12 hours of early childhood or child development education and one year of experience in a licensed child care center or comparable setting.
- A diploma of early childhood education and training from a technical or vocational school. Ensure that the school is approved by the Bureau with a minimum of one year experience in licensed child care center or the like.
- For directors, it is a must to hold a CDA (Child Development Associate) credential with a minimum of one year experience working in a licensed child care facility or the like.
- In addition to the CDA credential, a National Administrator Credential (NAC) should be attained by the director and one year approved child care experience.
- Director must also be three years of experience as a director or staff member of a licensed child care center or comparable setting with a six credit hours of early childhood development education or 90 hours of training approved by the state.
Thus, childcare facilities are needed to keep track of complete and accurate records of all employees. This should include verified references and background investigations. In addition, criminal records of all daycare staff should also be kept and maintained.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
There are several departments in the state of Louisiana 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:
Louisiana Department of Social Services
Bureau of Licensing
P.O. Box 3078
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-3078
Phone: 225-342-9905
Fax: (225) 342-9690
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
755 N 3rd Street, Room 328
Baton Rouge, LA, 70802
Phone: (225) 219-4246
Fax: (225) 219-4248
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Louisiana Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
6966 Menlo Drive
Baton Rouge, LA 70808
Phone: (225) 769-5465
Toll Free: (866) 600-2772
Fax: (225) 769-5465
