.09 Child Care Teachers in Preschool Centers.

A. To qualify or continue to qualify as a child care teacher in a preschool center, an individual shall:

(1) Be 19 years old or older;

(2) Have a high school diploma, a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses for credit from an accredited college or university;

(3) Have successfully completed 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours or their equivalent of approved preservice training, or hold the Child Development Associate Credential issued by the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program;

(4) Have completed 3 clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act;

(5) Effective January 1, 2020, have completed approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment;

(6) Have 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or at least one academic college course for credit; and

(7) Have at least:

(a) 1 year of experience working under supervision primarily with preschoolers in a licensed child care center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting, or as a registered family child care provider caring for preschoolers; or

(b) 1 year of college, or a combination of experience and college that together are equivalent to 1 year and meet one of the criteria set forth at §A(6) of this regulation.

B. An individual meets the requirements of §A(3) of this regulation if the individual:

(1) Holds an associate’s or higher degree with approved courses in early childhood education;

(2) Has been qualified before July 1, 2008, as a child care teacher in a preschool center and has been continuously employed since that time at the same or another preschool center;

(3) Has been approved as a teacher by the Department for early childhood in nursery school through third grade; or

(4) Is certified by the Department or by any other state for early childhood in nursery school through third grade.

C. A child care teacher in a preschool center shall:

(1) According to the individual’s professional development plan, complete approved continued training, at the rate of at least 12 clock hours per full year of employment as a child care teacher, that consists of a:

(a) Minimum of 6 clock hours of core of knowledge training; and

(b) Maximum of 6 clock hours of elective training;

(2) Document completion of the continued training on the professional development plan; and

(3) Document that the health and safety training, as required by the office, is completed by each staff member by the end of each 12-month period, measured each calendar year.

D. A child care teacher wishing to supervise a group of infants or toddlers shall:

(1) Unless qualified by the office before July 1, 2008, to supervise a group of infants or toddlers:

(a) Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation and have completed 3 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related to the care of infants and toddlers; or

(b) Meet the requirements of §A(1), (2), and (4)—(7) of this regulation and have completed 6 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related exclusively to the care of infants and toddlers; and

(2) Have completed approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices.