# COMAR Title 13A — State Board of Education

## Subtitle 14 — Child and Family Day Care

### Chapter 09 — Maryland Child Care Credential Program

#### Regulation .04 Child Care Credential Requirements.

*COMAR 13A.14.09.04*

A. Staff Credential 1. The only qualification for a level 1 credential shall be:

  (1) Current registration as a family child care provider or co-provider; or

  (2) Qualification by the Office as a child care facility:

    (a) Director; or

    (b) Staff member.

B. Staff Credential 2. Qualification for a level 2 credential requires:

  (1) Successful completion of 45 clock hours of core of knowledge training, of which 20 clock hours shall be in child development; and

  (2) Completion of one child care professional activity unit within the 12 months before applying for participation.

C. Staff Credential 3. Qualification for a level 3 credential requires:

  (1) Successful completion of 90 clock hours of core of knowledge training, of which a minimum of 20 clock hours each shall be in child development and in curriculum development;

  (2) Completion of two child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation; and

  (3) Completion of:

    (a) 1 year of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

    (b) 1 year of college; or

    (c) A combination of experience and college equal to 1 year.

D. Staff Credential 4. Qualification for a level 4 credential requires:

  (1) Successful completion of 135 clock hours of core of knowledge training, consisting of:

    (a) 45 clock hours in child development;

    (b) 30 clock hours in curriculum development;

    (c) 20 clock hours in health, safety, and nutrition;

    (d) 15 clock hours in special needs;

    (e) 15 clock hours in professionalism; and

    (f) 10 clock hours in community issues;

  (2) Completion of three child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation; and

  (3) Completion of 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting.

E. Staff Credential 4 Plus. Qualification for a level 4 plus credential requires a participant to:

  (1) Successfully complete 135 clock hours of core of knowledge training as specified at §D(1) of this regulation;

  (2) Take part in at least four child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation;

  (3) Complete a minimum of 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting; and

  (4) Meet one of the following requirements:

    (a) Hold current accreditation as a family child care provider;

    (b) Complete at least:

      (i) 15 college credit hours of approved course work that includes courses in child development and curriculum planning; and

      (ii) 7 additional years of experience working with children in an approved setting; or

    (c) Enroll in an approved degree program that includes at least one early childhood course and accumulate 55 points by earning 5 points for completing each additional:

      (i) Early childhood course for credit; or

      (ii) Year of experience working with children in an approved setting.

F. Staff Credential 5. Qualification for a level 5 credential requires a participant to:

  (1) Complete a minimum of 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) Take part in four child care professional activity units; and

  (3) Complete one of the following:

    (a) An associate degree with 15 college credit hours of approved course work that includes courses in child development and curriculum planning;

    (b) 30 college credit hours of approved course work that includes at least one course in each of the following areas:

      (i) Child development;

      (ii) Curriculum planning;

      (iii) Health and safety;

      (iv) Special needs;

      (v) Working with school-age children;

      (vi) Working with infant and toddler-age children;

      (vii) Language and literacy; and

      (viii) Administration of child care programs; or

    (c) 15 college credit hours of approved course work, enrolled in an approved degree program, and accumulate 45 points by earning 5 points for completing each additional:

      (i) Early childhood course for credit; or

      (ii) Year of experience working with children in an approved setting.

G. Staff Credential 6. Qualification for a level 6 credential requires a participant to complete:

  (1) At least 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) At least 5 child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation; and

  (3) One of the following:

    (a) A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in:

      (i) Early childhood education;

      (ii) Elementary education;

      (iii) Special education;

      (iv) Family studies;

      (v) Child development; or

      (vi) A related discipline; and

    (b) At least one course in:

      (i) Child development; and

      (ii) Curriculum development; or

    (c) Complete:

      (i) A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree in a nonrelated field; and

      (ii) 30 semester hours of approved course work that includes courses in child development and curriculum planning; or

    (d) Complete an associate or higher degree with 15 semester hours of approved course work, enroll in an approved degree program, and accumulate 45 points by earning 5 points for each additional:

      (i) Early childhood course for credit; or

      (ii) Year of experience working with children in an approved setting.

H. Administrator Credential 1. Qualification for a level 1 credential requires completion of:

  (1) 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) Four child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation; and

  (3) 240 clock hours of core of knowledge training, consisting of:

    (a) 45 clock hours in child development;

    (b) 45 clock hours in curriculum development;

    (c) 45 clock hours in health, safety, and nutrition;

    (d) 45 clock hours in special needs;

    (e) 45 clock hours in professionalism; and

    (f) 15 clock hours in community issues.

I. Administrator Credential 2. Qualification for a level 2 credential requires completion of:

  (1) 2 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) Five child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation;

  (3) 240 clock hours of core of knowledge training consisting of:

    (a) 45 clock hours in child development;

    (b) 45 clock hours in curriculum development;

    (c) 45 clock hours in health, safety, and nutrition;

    (d) 45 clock hours in special needs;

    (e) 45 clock hours in professionalism; and

    (f) 15 clock hours in community issues; and

  (4) Either:

    (a) The National Administrator's Credential; or

    (b) At least 30 semester hours of college course work in an approved course of study.

J. Administrator Credential 3. Qualification for a level 3 credential requires completion of:

  (1) 4 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) Five child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation; and

  (3) An associate degree from an accredited college that includes:

    (a) 15 college credit hours of course work related to business management or administration; and

    (b) One course for credit in each of the following areas:

      (i) Child development;

      (ii) Curriculum development; and

      (iii) Administration of child care programs.

K. Administrator Credential 4. Qualification for a level 4 credential requires completion of:

  (1) 5 years of experience working directly with children in an approved setting;

  (2) Six child care professional activity units within the 12 months before applying for participation;

  (3) 45 clock hours of training in the area of mentoring and coaching staff;

  (4) A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited college or university in:

    (a) Business administration;

    (b) Public administration and management;

    (c) Public school administration;

    (d) A degree as specified at §G(3) of this regulation; or

    (e) A related discipline; and

  (5) One course for credit in each of the following areas:

    (a) Child development;

    (b) Curriculum development; and

    (c) Administration of child care programs.