State licensing regulations set the minimum standards for working in early childhood programs, including family child care homes (operating as home-based businesses) and child care centers. These standards may include a minimum age (usually 18), immunizations, work experience and minimum education requirements (high school diploma or some college courses). Training in health and safety practices and emergency procedures are required. In addition, those who work with children must pass a background check to ensure they have no criminal record that would prohibit them from working with children.
Meeting your state's licensing requirements for early childhood programs is your first level of professional development. Check with your state licensing agency regarding the regulations that apply for your program. Information is also available from the National Child Care Information and Technical Assistance Center (NCCI), a service of the federal government's Administration for Children and Families.
Coursework in child development, early childhood education curricula and related fields will improve your ability to work effectively with children and their families. Post-secondary education is often required to work in licensed early education programs, and the more education you receive, the broader your career opportunities in this field will be. To work as a classroom aide may require only one or two courses, but the requirements increase for teachers, master teachers and site supervisors or administrators. In most locations, master teachers and administrators must have at least a two-year associate degree through a community college, and some programs might require a four-year bachelors degree. States maintain offices for professional development and can help you prepare an education plan to meet your career goals. A list of professional development contacts is available from the NCCI.
In addition, a family child care program operated out of your home, is a private business. To be successful, you would be wise to enroll in some business courses or seek assistance from a business mentor. SCORE, a rich resource for personalized small business assistance, offers short courses in business plans, accounting, marketing and more.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a national professional development program that is offered through the Council for Professional Recognition in Washington, DC. The credential is available for early education professionals working in child care centers, preschools, family child care homes and home visitation programs. A bilingual specialization is also available. Professionals complete their training and assessment of their proficiency in their own locations.
As with any profession, early education requires ongoing education to stay current with trends, best practices and new research. Many professional membership organizations offer conferences and other training opportunities. Among these are the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and its state and local affiliates and the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC). In addition, check with your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency for free or low-cost training courses.