# COMAR Title 13A — State Board of Education

## Subtitle 16 — Child Care Centers

### Chapter 06 — Staff Requirements

#### Regulation .09 Child Care Teachers in Preschool Centers.

*COMAR 13A.16.06.09*

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.