CHILD CARE PROGRAM ASSOCIATE TEACHER

Description

Child Care Program Associate Teachers provide a daily schedule of activities for play, meals, sleep, and toileting, and are responsible for children in their care.

Statute/Rules

NH RSA 170-E; Administrative Rules Chapter He-C 4002

Regulatory Agency	BUREAU OF CHILD CARE LICENSING Department of Health and Human Services 129 Pleasant Street Concord, New Hampshire 03301-3857
phone	(800) 852-3345 extension 4624; or (603) 271-4624
fax	(603) 271-4782
web	www.dhhs.nh.gov/DHHS/BCCL
contact person	Denise Corvino
e-mail	not provided

Licensure Requirements

• Note that licensure of individuals is not required. Credentialing is voluntary.
  
  
• For employment in a child care nursery, group child care center, preschool program, or school-age program, all child care personnel must provide documentation of education and experience, with such documentation to be kept on file at the child care program
  
  
• Child Care Workers in group child care programs, child care nurseries, preschool programs, and center-based night care programs shall be at least 18 years of age and have at least one of the following:
  1. Six college credits in early childhood education or early childhood special education, including three credits in human growth and development;
  2. A minimum of 2,000 hours of supervised experience in a licensed program or public or private school with written recommendation from the center director or school administrator, plus documentation of enrollment in a three-credit early childhood education course, and a plan for completion of an additional three credits for a total of six credits earned within a year of employment;
  3. A minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised child care experience in a program or public or private school, with written recommendation from the center director of school administrator, plus three college credits in early childhood education, or early childhood special education, or documentation of enrollment in a three-credit course in one of those areas, completed on or before December 31, 2000;
  4. A high school diploma or general equivalency diploma and documentation of successful completion of a two-year vocational child care course;
  5. Workshops, courses, or in-service training outside of the classroom, totaling 72 hours, with at least 12 of these hours in human growth and development and the remainder in early childhood education or early childhood special education completed on or before December 31, 2000; or
  6. Documentation of employment as a child care worker in a New Hampshire licensed agency on July 24, 1990, and documentation that the individual had five years experience in the position of child care worker on that date
     
     
• Associate Teachers in a school age program shall be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma plus one of the following:
  1. Experience working with school-age children totaling 300 hours;
  2. Workshops, conference sessions or non-credit courses totaling 36 hours; or
  3. College courses totaling three credits, in education, human growth and development, behavior management, or recreation
     
     
• Child Care Assistants in group child care programs, child care nurseries, preschool programs, or center-based night care programs shall:
  1. Be at least 16 years of age
  2. Work with children only under the direct supervision and observation of a staff person who meets at least the minimum qualifications of an associate teacher
     
     
• Child Care Assistants in a school-aged program shall:
  1. Be at least 16 years of age
  2. Work with children only under the direct supervision and observation of a center director or associate teacher
     
     
• Family Child Care Providers, Workers, or Assistants:
  1. Family child care providers shall be at least 21 years of age. If between 18 and 21 years old, they must submit documentation that they have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma and have successfully completed a two-year child care curriculum approved by the Department of Education or college courses totaling six credits in human growth and development or early childhood education.
  2. Family child care workers shall be 18 years of age or older
  3. Family child care assistants shall be 16 years of age or older and shall work under the supervision of the family child care provider at all times

Examination

• No examination is required, however, CPR and First Aid Certification are required

Continuing Education

• All center-based directors, lead teachers, associate teachers, and family child care providers and workers shall complete six hours of training per calendar year in any of the following areas:
  • Child development
  • Health and safety, or life safety
  • Caring for children with special needs
  • Nutrition
  • Any child care related courses sponsored or funded by the Department, including, but not limited to, child care basics or beyond the basics
  • Classroom environments
  • Behavior guidance
  • First aid and CPR
  • Staff supervision
  • Financial management
  • Working with families
  • Legal issues in child care
  • Child welfare

Fees

• There is a $25.00 fee for application for a voluntary credential, which is valid for three years. Fees vary at the community level.

Reciprocity:  Not permitted

Residence/Citizenship:  Neither New Hampshire residency nor US citizenship is required

Number of Active Licenses:  1,177 licensed center and home child care programs

Standard Occupational Code (O*Net):  39-9011.00  Child Care Worker

Related Training:  Child Care Provider/Assistant

Further Information*
Council for Professional Recognition (CDA)
2460 16th Street NW
Washington DC 20009-3575
phone: (800) 424-4310
web: <www.cdacouncil.org>

American Montessori Society
281 Park Avenue South
New York NY 10010-6102
phone: (212) 358-1250
web: <www.amshq.org>

North American Montessori Teachers' Association (NAMTA)
13693 Butternut Road
Burton OH 44021-9571
phone: (440) 834-4011
web: <www.montessori-namta.org>

National Head Start Association
1651 Prince Street
Alexandria VA 22314-2818
phone: (703) 739-0875
web: <www.nhsa.org>

last revision: August 2007

*For reference only. This listing does not constitute an endorsement of any organization, and is subject to change.