# The Basics: Qualifications and Ratios

[101215.1       **Director Qualifications**](https://t22.caqualityearlylearning.org/continuing-requirements/child-care-center-director-qualifications-and-duties)

* 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**](https://t22.caqualityearlylearning.org/continuing-requirements/teacher-qualifications-and-duties)

* 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**](https://t22.caqualityearlylearning.org/continuing-requirements/teacher-aide-qualifications-and-duties)

* 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**](https://t22.caqualityearlylearning.org/continuing-requirements/teacher-child-ratio) (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.


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