For daycare providers in the state of Oregon, it is important that they have the education and training required for a daycare provider. Credentials and certifications are essential in each state of America as it is required for the license approval. Aside from the fact that the country has its rules regarding daycare licensing, daycare providers must also remember that every state of America like Oregon has also different rules governing daycare licensing. In addition, the state department assigned with daycare licensing does not approve license if the provider and staff don’t have the appropriate credentials.
Qualifications for the different positions in a daycare center in the state of Oregon differ. Thus, they must satisfy the requirements of the state for the license and by reviewing the state’s rules regarding to the licensing as this will help them a lot.
Aside from the educational requirements, the states of America require daycare providers as well as its staff to have a certification on CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) as well as training in First Aid. Trainings in CPR and First-Aid are either provided by the state or included in the coursework of colleges, universities, and other institutions. Educational requirements are being elaborated in the succeeding sections.
Classes offered through the State
With regards to the education of daycare providers, the various universities and colleges in the state of Oregon 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 Oregon accepts or credits several courses which are closely related to childhood education, given that the subject credits are the same.
Subjects like 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. Basic education classes such as English, Mathematics, Sociology and the like 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 Oregon to daycare providers including 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 necessary coursework, accomplished the credit hours, and attained the minimum working experience. Stated earlier, CPR and First Aid trainings are compulsory in the states of America.
The CDA credential (Child Development Associate) is given to daycare providers who have completed secondary education or a GED credential certification plus 480 working hours and 120 hours of formal education with children in the last five years. On the other hand, CCP (Certified Childcare Professional) is awarded to those who want to become daycare teachers, but have not finish their college degree or have taken up a different field.
The NAC (National Administrator Credential) is given by the state to those who want to become daycare managers and directors. The credential focuses further 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; however, the state of Oregon is not included in the states which require a state-exclusive certificate.
Interested 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 Oregon, the average annual tuition fee of childcare degrees and courses in different universities and colleges is estimated to be $1,000 to $40,000. 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 be completed as they are important as educational requirements.
General Requirements for the Childcare Director or Daycare Provider
The child care director should be 21 years old and above and have a proper training or experience in management and supervision. Moreover, the childcare director must meet at least the qualifications of a teacher.
For Head Teachers:
The head teachers must age 18 years old. They should satisfy at least one of the following requirements:
- A Bachelor’s degree holder with a concentration on ECE/CD, elementary education, special education, physical education, or recreation.
- An Associate’s degree holder (either arts or science) with a concentration on ECE/CD, elementary education, special education, physical education, or recreation.
- A CDA credential associated with infant, toddler, and preschool age.
- Finished 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours in on ECE/CD, elementary education, special education, physical education, or recreation plus a minimum of one year full-time work experience in a childcare center or the like in a group setting.
- A minimum of two years of full-time experience plus not less than of a year as a teacher in a certified childcare center or the like in a group setting.
For Teachers:
Teachers of the daycare center must age at least 18 years old and shall satisfy one of the following requirements:
- Completion of 20 semester hours or 30 quarter hours of training at a college or university in ECE/CD, elementary education, special education, physical education, or recreation.
- One year state or nationally recognized credential related with infant, toddler, and preschool age.
- A minimum of one year of qualifying teaching experience in a certified childcare center setting or the like in a group setting.
- Completion of 15 quarter hours or 10 semester hours of training at a college or university in ECE/CD, elementary education, special education, physical education, or recreation plus a minimum of 6 months qualifying teaching experience in a certified childcare center setting or the like in a group setting.
- Documentation of attaining at least level two in the Professional Development Registry.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
The state of Oregon 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
Mailing:
Oregon Employment Department
Child Care Division
875 Union St
PO Box 14050
Salem, OR 97311
Toll Free: 800-556-6616
Local: 503-947-1400
Fax: 503-947-1428
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
Oregon Department of Education
Public Service Building
255 Capitol Street, NE
Salem, OR, 97310-0203
Phone: (503) 947-5810
Fax: (503) 378-5156
State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
Oregon Child Care Resource & Referral Network
805 Liberty NE, Suite 2
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: 503) 375-2644
Toll Free: (800) 342-6712
Fax: (503) 399-9858