License exempt programs
Completion of 15 units in Early Childhood Education, Recreation Administration, or related coursework, and at least 3 years of teaching experience in a childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
An Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education, Recreation Administration, or related field may substitute for one year of experience.
A Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education, Recreation Administration, or related field may substitute for two years of experience.
State licensed programs
Title 22 requirements
Completion of 15 Early Childhood Education units at an accredited or approved college or university. Three of the 15 units shall be in administration or staff relations and 12 of the 15 units required shall include courses that cover the general areas of Child growth and development; child, family and community or child and family; and program curriculum.; and at least 4 years of teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program.
Or an associate of arts degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development and at least two years of teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group or childcare program. Three semester units shall be in administration or staff relations.
Or a BA from an accredited or approved college or university with a major in Early Childhood Education, or Child Development; and at least 1 year of teaching experience in a licensed childcare center or comparable group childcare program. Three semester units shall be in administration or staff relations.
Title 5 requirements
Associate of Arts degree (or 60 semester units) from an accredited or approved college or university with 24 semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development, 6 units administration and 2 units adult supervision and at least 350 days of 3+ hours per day within 4 years of experience in an instructional capacity in a licensed childcare program including at least 100 days of supervising adults.
Or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited or approved college or university with 12 or more semester units in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and 3 units supervised field experience in an Early Childhood education setting.
Or a Teaching or Administration Credential with 12 units of Early Childhood Education and 3 units supervised field experience in an Early Childhood Education setting.