The Basics: Qualifications and Ratios

101215.1 Director Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED, 12 units (100, 115, and 2 prog/curr), and 3 units administration or staff relations (150 or 155), plus 4 years of teaching experience in a licensed or comparable group child care program, OR

• AA degree in ECE or CD and 3 units of administration, plus 2 years of teaching experience, OR

• BA degree in ECE or CD and 3 units of administration, plus 1 years of teaching experience, OR

• Site Supervisor or Director Permit.

101216.1 Teacher Qualifications

• Complete 15 hours of health and safety training, and

• Passed at least 6 units or have an Assistant Teacher permit. o After employment a teacher hired above shall complete at least 2 units each semester until the requirement below are met. Must have on-site supervision by a fully qualified teacher until the 6 additional units are completed, OR

• Fully qualified teacher: 12 units (100, 115, and 2 prog/curr), plus 50 days of teaching experience within 6 months paid or volunteer in a licensed or comparable group child care program. To work with infants, 3 units must be specialized (103 or 106). School Age teacher may substitute hours for units (see regulations for details) , OR

• Current CDA (no CDA programs in our area) , OR

• Current Associate Teacher, Teacher, or Master Teacher permit.

101216.2 Teacher Aide Qualifications

• 18 year of age (unless a high school graduate or in an ROP program), and

• Under the direct supervision of a teacher unless escorting children to the bathroom or in napping room (see specific sections for these exemptions), and

• Completion of at least 6 units or enrolled in at least 2 units per semester until the 6 units are completed. To work with infants, 3 units must be specialized (103 or 106).

101216.3 Ratio Information (number shall not exceed the licensed capacity of a center)

Title 22 Regulations (typical centers include for-profit, faith based, non-profit but not state funded)

• 1:12 1 fully qualified teacher for 12 children. (2-5 years old)

• 1:15 1 fully qualified teacher and 1 aide for 15 children.

• 1:18 1 fully qualified teacher and 1 aide for 18 preschool aged children (3-5 years old)

• 1:4 1 fully qualified teacher for 4 infants, or 1:12 infants teacher with 2 aides

• 1:6 1 fully qualified teacher for 6 toddlers, or 1:12 infants teacher with 1 aide (Toddler Component 18-30 months)

• 1:14 1 fully qualified teacher for 14 school age children, examples 15 – 28 children= 1 Teacher & 1 Aide; 29 - 42 children = 2 Teachers & 1 Aide; 43 - 56 children = 2 Teachers & 2 Aides.

Title 5 Regulations (typical centers include state funded and Head Start)

• Infants (0-18 months) 1:3 adult-child ratio, 1:18 teacher-child ratio.

• Toddlers (18-36 months) 1:4 adult-child ratio, 1:16 teacher-child ratio.

• Preschool (36 months to Kinder) 1:8 adult-child ratio, 1:24 teacher-child ratio.

• Afterschool (K-14 years) 1:14 adult-child ratio, 1:28 teacher-child ratio.

• See additional Title 5 information for comingling of groups and exceeding ratios

• See additional information for Preschool Program with Toddler Component and Parent Cooperative Centers.