Level One: TEACHER, INFANT-TODDLER and/or PRESCHOOL
To be certified as a Teacher, you must meet the requirements listed below:
Education Needed:
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You must be at least 21 years of age or have a high school diploma (If you are
under 21 years of age, attach your High School Diploma or G.E.D) and;
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You must have completed a three-credit course in Child Growth and Development.
This course is also called Child Psychology or Developmental Psychology.
Course Substitutions:
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Human Growth and Development (at least the first semester of a two semester
course);
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a Child Development Associate Credential (CDA);
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a passing grade in Child Development in a College Level Examination Program
(for more information about "CLEP" exams call 609-771-7865);
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graduation from an approved 2-year high school child care program since 1989
with a recommendation letter from the high school program director, a copy of
your high school diploma and transcript.
Other courses may substitute if a course description is sent with the transcript
that shows the course was about Child Development, birth to age 8 or 12.
Courses which will not substitute:
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Introduction to Psychology, Lifespan, or Developmental Psychology across the
Lifespan.
Work Experience Needed:
You must have 9 months of supervised work experience:
To qualify for both infant-toddler and preschool teacher you must have at least
3 months work experience with each age group or a supervised practicum with the
appropriate age group for which college credit was earned.
Work experience in a mixed toddler/preschool group counts towards both
infant-toddler and preschool certification.
Work experience must be at least 12 hours per week, for 4 weeks with one group
of children to count as one month of experience. Experience over 12 hours per
week (even 60 hours a week) is still counted as only one month. Occasional
substitute teaching does not count. However, a "permanent" substitute position
at one center will be counted.
Substitutions:
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An Associate's or Bachelor's degree in early childhood education or a related
field will substitute for 6 months of the required experience.
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A Bachelor's degree in an unrelated field will substitute for 3 months of
required work experience.
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For Infant-Toddler Teacher, 1 CEU (10 hours of instruction) in Infant and
Toddler Development, Care and/or Program Planning may substitute for 3 months
of work experience.