Before you can take care of children in the state of Massachusetts or any state of America, they require daycare providers and staff to become licensed first. Every state of America has their own licensing requirements when it comes to daycare or childcare centers; including working requirements and qualifications.
In the state of Massachusetts, daycare teachers should not be below 21 years of age and shall have nine (9) months of managed work experience with young children. in addition to the age and work experience, three credit hour course in early child development and growth. Aspiring daycare providers whether bachelor’s degree or associate’s degree can have less working experience since their education can fill in for the working experience requirement.
Classes offered through the State
The classes and degrees offered in various universities and colleges in the state of Massachusetts are not different from those offered in other states of America. Those who want to have careers in the field of daycare or childcare education can take up degrees on childhood education, childhood development, or childcare management. Furthermore, those who took up a different course can have the chance to work in the daycare or childcare industry in the state of Massachusetts as the state do sometimes credit or consider several courses which are closely related to childhood education given that the subject credits are equivalent.
Child Growth and Development, Birth-Eight Years, Planning Programs and Environments for Young Children, Curriculum for Early Childhood Settings, Child and Classroom Management, Advanced or Specialized Early Childhood Education or Development, Children with Special Needs, Birth-16 years, Infant and Toddler Development, Care, and Program Planning, Health and Safety in Early Childhood, Families and Community, Child Care Policy, Supervision or Staff Development in Early Childhood Education, Child Observation, Documentation and Assessment, and Child Care Administration are some of the subjects that daycare providers or childcare directors are required to take.
For those daycare staff or teachers classes such as 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 state of Massachusetts awards certificates or credentials same with the other states of America. The three most common credentials awarded to aspiring daycare providers and staff is CDA, CCP, and NAC. These certifications and credentials are given only to those individuals who have completed and finished the required coursework, accomplished the required credit hours, and acquired the minimum working experience. All states of America require daycare providers and staff to attend trainings on CPR or cardio-pulmonary resuscitation and First Aid.
Furthermore, the state of Massachusetts may not have a specific 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 Massachusetts 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
The cost of classes for childcare degrees and courses can range from $5,000 to $35,000 per year. Factors such as type of school (whether public or private, vocational or non-vocational), location of the school, and the degree you are currently enrolled affects the rate or cost of tuition fees.
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.
Teachers in childcare or daycare center should be at least 21 years old and should have attained a high school diploma, GED certification, or any equivalent certification. In addition, they should meet the minimum working experience (9 months) with children 7 years old below; this should be supervised. Moreover, three credit course in Child Growth and Development is also required or a Child Development Associate Credential. Two-year high school vocational in early childhood education can be accepted given that it is approved by the state department for education and experience requirements and have been assessed and indorsed by the program instructor. An associate or bachelor degree in early childhood education or related field and 3 months required work experience is also recognized as well as a bachelor’s degree in an unrelated field with a 6 months required work experience at the same time a three credit course in Child Growth and Development.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
There are several departments in the state of Massachusetts 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:
Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper Street, 4th Floor
Boston, MA 02210
Phone: (617) 988-6600
Fax: (617) 988-2451
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Department of Early Education and Care
51 Sleeper St. 4th Floor
Boston, MA, 02210
Phone: (617) 988-7817
Fax: (617) 988-2451
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Massachusetts Child Care Resource and Referral Network
c/o Child Care Circuit
190 Hampshire Street
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 722-2529
Toll Free: (800) 660-2868
Fax: (978) 927-8083
