CHILD CARE PROGRAM CENTER DIRECTOR

Description

Child Care Program Center Directors direct the activities of child development facilities to provide instruction and care for children. Prepare budgets, authorize purchase of materials, interview and recommend hiring of staff, and other administrative duties. Maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.

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
  
  
• Center Directors in a group child care program, child care nursery, preschool program, or center-based night care program must be at least 21 years of age and shall have a minimum of 1,000 hours experience working with children in a licensed program or public or private school and at least one of the following qualifications:
  1. A minimum of an Associate's degree in early childhood education;
  2. An additional 3,000 hours of experience working with children in a licensed program or in a public or private school and documentation of a current Child Development Associates (CDA) credential in center-based infant/toddler or pre-school programs;
  3. An additional 1,500 hours of experience working with children in a licensed program or in a public or private school, plus documentation of a current CDA credential, acquired through the Head Start program, and documentation of employment in a Head Start program;
  4. A Bachelor's degree in education;
  5. Certification from the American Montessori Institute;
  6. College courses totaling 60 credits, including a minimum of 24 credits in early childhood education, early childhood special education, human growth and development, or child care administration; or
  7. Written documentation of employment as an agency director in a New Hampshire licensed agency on July 24, 1990, and documentation that the individual has five years experience in the position of agency director on that date; or written documentation dated prior to July 24, 1990, that the Department approved an individual's credentials as equivalent to an Associate's degree in early childhood education

• Center Directors in a school-age program shall have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma and at least one of the following:
  1. An Associate's degree in early childhood education;
  2. Documentation of a current Child Development Associates (CDA) credential in center-based infant/toddler or preschool programs;
  3. A Bachelor's degree in education or recreation;
  4. Certification from the American Montessori Institute and 1,000 hours experience working with children;
  5. College courses totaling 12 credits in early childhood education, human growth and development, education, or recreation; or
  6. Experience working with children totaling 2,000 hours

Examination

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

Continuing Education

• All center-based center 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):  11-9031.00  Education Administrators, Preschool and Child Care Center/Program

Related Training:  Child Care and Support Services Management; Early Childhood Education and Teaching

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.