Decide which level of Child Development Permit best meets your professional needs. Permits include: Assistant, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor and Program Director. You must fulfill all requirements for each specific permit to qualify. Each permit requires a specific amount of training and prior child development experience. For example, a Child Development Assistant Permit requires the candidate to have six post-secondary semester credits of child development related courses, associate teachers should have 12 credits, teachers should have 16 credits, master teachers should have 22 credits, site supervisors should have at least 68 credits, and directors should have at least a bachelor's degree.
Complete the requisite child development course work. This includes 24 semester credits of classes that cover early childhood education and/or child development topics. This must include three credits in child growth and development, family relations and curriculum development.
Pass 16 credits of general or liberal arts education classes. These must include course work in English, mathematics, social sciences, science and the humanities.
Submit documentation for employment experience requirements. This includes 175 days working in an instructional (i.e., teaching) role in a child care center or school within the past four years.
Submit a complete application packet (see Resources). This should contain official transcripts outlining child development/education courses work, Form 41-1 (Application for Credential Authorization Public School Service), and a Live Scan receipt (i.e., fingerprint clearance card).
Prepare a professional resume. Include all relevant educational, employment and volunteer experience.
Write a cover letter that highlights your child development skills, awards and/or achievements, educational philosophy and the reasons why hiring you will be beneficial for the school/center.
Search local newspaper and periodical job classifieds, attend a child development related job fair, visit specific center/school websites, visit the Teach California website or the National Association for the Education of Young Children website. Check to make sure that your credential, education and experience meets the job requirements.
Send or email a resume and cover letter.