Daycare providers must have the credentials and certifications required by the state as each state have different licensing standards. Several daycare centers only hire daycare staff that has the credentials. Moreover, the state also awards a license for daycare providers given that they have also the credentials required. Thus, daycare providers must be equipped with proper education and training.
The state of New Jersey has different work qualifications for each job title or position in a daycare center. They must satisfy the requirements of the state for the license; thus, it is important to review the state’s rules when it comes to licensing.
In addition to the educational requirements, all state of America requires daycare providers to have credentials on CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) as well as first aid. This training is either offered by the state or they are already included in the coursework of colleges or universities. Educational requirements are being elaborated in the succeeding sections.
Classes offered through the State
The different universities and colleges of the state of New Jersey have classes and degrees in childcare comparable to the other states’ colleges and universities. Individuals who want to establish a career in the daycare or childcare industry can take up several courses such as childhood education, childhood development, and the like.
Meanwhile, those who took up a different field of expertise but would want to work in a daycare center they can still have the chance to work as the state of New Jersey accepts or credits several courses which are closely related to childhood education, given that the subject credits are the same.
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 most common classes for a childcare degree. In addition, basic education classes such as English, Mathematics, Sociology and others should also be taken up.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
With regards to the credentials and certificates, there are three credentials and certifications awarded by the state of New Jersey to daycare providers; this includes CDA, CCP, and NAC. The said credentials and certifications are also given by other states of America. An individual can earn these certificates if and only if they have finished and accomplished the required coursework, completed the credit hours, and acquired the minimum working experience. Stated earlier, CPR and First Aid trainings are compulsory in the states of America.
The CDA credential or Child Development Associate is given to daycare providers who have completed secondary education or who holds a GED certification with 480 working hours and 120 hours for formal education with children in the last five years. On the other hand, CCP or Certified Childcare Professional 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.
The NAC or the National Administrator Credential is awarded by the state to aspiring daycare managers and directors. The credential focuses more on the management of the organization as well as the administration, site maintenance, and planning and development of childcare programs.
Furthermore, there are several states in America that gives special credential or certifications in the trainings they attend. In the case of the state of New Jersey, an additional requirement would be a certificate of New Jersey Infant/Toddler Credential. Aside from this, an individual can approach several departments and different networks that are concerned with the wellbeing of the children guarantees and remain to develop the quality of both residential and foster care for children and youth by endowing the abilities of the people responsible for everyday nurturing, care, and discipline of children either in residential facilities or foster home care. Several trainings and scholarships are offered by the state and they are usually free of charge.
Cost of the Classes
In the state of New Jersey, the average tuition fee of childcare degrees and courses in universities and colleges is likely $3,000 to $35,000 per year. However, there are several factors that affect the rate or cost of tuition fee, such as, type of school (whether public or private, vocational or non-vocational), location of the school, and the degree you are currently enrolled.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
The classes offered by the state are of the same classes that daycare providers should take. However, as stated earlier, directly related courses to childcare can be accepted by the state. Working experience and credit hours should also In addition to the degrees, working experience and credit hours should also get through the requirement of the state.
Moreover, the general education requirement for the staff and daycare provider in the state of New Jersey is an associate degree holder in early childhood education or child development. Also, a 15-college credit units with a minimum of 6 units in early childhood education or child development while the rest would be units on education, psychology, health care, nursing or other fields related to child growth and development; CDA credential can also be accepted.
General Requirements for Staff
The sponsor, director, and every staff member shall:
- Be of good character and reputation;
- Be in sufficient physical, mental and emotional health to perform his or her job duties satisfactorily; and
- Possess skills, attributes, and characteristics conducive to and suitable for sponsoring a center or dealing with children, as applicable.
- Two written and/or verbal references on each individual.
- The references shall be secured from former employers or other persons who have knowledge of the individual’s work experience and/or education and who can attest to the individual’s suitability to work with children.
- The verbal references shall be documented in writing by the sponsor or director.
Thus, it is important that the director as well as its staff has passed background checklist as well as the health and physical examination as stated in the state’s licensing rules.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
The state of New Jersey has assigned some departments that will take care of childcare and family wellbeing. You can reach the departments in the following contact numbers for more questions and enquiries:
Child Care Licensing Agency
(Refers family child care calls to counties)
Mailing:
New Jersey Department of Human Services
P.O. Box 707
Trenton, NJ 08625-0707
Phone: (609) 987-2022 (North); (609) 987-2016 (South)
Toll Free: (877) 667-9845
Fax: (609) 987-2086
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
NJ Department of Human Services
222 South Warren St
PO Box 700
Trenton, NJ, 08625-0700
Phone: (609) 984-5321
Fax:
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
New Jersey Association of Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies
P.O. Box 55816
Trenton, NJ 08638-6816
Phone: (609) 989-7770 ext. 138
Fax: (609) 989-8060
