# Infant Care Teacher Qualifications and Duties

(a) Notwithstanding Section 101216.1, the following shall apply: 

(b) Prior to employment, an infant care teacher shall have completed, with passing grades, at least three postsecondary semesters or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education or child development, and three postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units related to the care of infants, at an accredited or approved college or university. 

   (1) After employment, a teacher who has not completed the course work required in (c)(1) below shall complete, with passing grades, at least two units each semester or quarter until the education requirements are met. 

(c) To be a fully qualified infant care teacher, a teacher shall have the following: 

   (1) Completion, with passing grades, of 12 postsecondary semester or equivalent quarter units in early childhood or child development education at an accredited or approved college or university. 

      (A) At least three of the units required in (c)(1) above shall be related to the care of infants or shall contain instruction specific to infants. 

         1\. Examples of acceptable course work are pediatric nursing and postnatal care. 

   (2) At least six months of experience in a licensed infant care center or comparable group child care program for children under five years of age. 

      (A) Experience shall be verified as having been performed satisfactorily, at least three hours per day for a minimum of 50 days in a six-month period, as a paid or volunteer staff member under the supervision of a person who would qualify as a teacher or director under this chapter.

(d) A photocopy of each teacher's transcript(s) documenting successful completion of required course work shall be maintained at the center. 

(e) Under the direction and supervision of the director and the assistant director, the infant care teacher shall provide direct care and supervision to infants at the center. 

(f) Teachers shall visually observe aides whenever aides are working with infants, except as provided for in Section 101416.5(d)(1). 

(g) An infant care teacher shall complete 16 hours of health and safety training if necessary pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.866.

> NOTE: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1596.72, 1596.73, 1596.81 and 1597.05, Health and Safety Code.


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