Early Care and Education Center Position Qualifications (Refer to Delacare: Rules for Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers)

Early Childhood Intern (Rule #164)
Age Requirement: Must be at least sixteen (16) years of age OR must be fifteen (15) years of age if attending a vocational/technical high school three year program in early childhood education or a traditional high school's career pathway program in early childhood. (Documentation proving enrollment in program must be provided)
Education Requirement:
OPTION A - Delaware First Introduction to Child Care or Delaware First Child Development
OPTION B -Three (3) college credits in child development or early childhood education

Early Childhood Assistant Teacher (Rule #161)
Age Requirement: Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.
Education Requirement: High school degree or its equivalent AND one of options below
OPTION A -TECE 1
OPTION B -High School Early Childhood Career Pathway
OPTION C - Six (6) college credits (three in early childhood education and 3 in child development)
Experience Requirement: Minimum six (6) months experience working with children preschool age or younger in a group setting

Early Childhood Teacher (Rule #160)
Age Requirement: Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age
Education Requirement: High school degree or its equivalent AND one of options below
OPTION A - TECE 1 and TECE 2
OPTION B - Valid CDA
OPTION C - Delaware Department of Labor's Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program
OPTION D - Nine (9) college credits in early childhood courses (Forty-five clock hours in positive behavior management may be a substitute)
OPTION E - Vocational/technical high school three year early childhood education program
OPTION F - Montessori Infant and Toddler Full/Associate Credential OR
Montessori Early Childhood Full/Associate Credential
OPTION G - Successful completion of a one year early childhood diploma program from a two year college
OPTION H - Associate degree AND Six college/university credits in child development or early childhood
OPTION I - Bachelor's degree AND Six college/university credits in child development or early childhood
Experience Requirement: Minimum twelve (12) months experience working with children preschool age or younger in a group setting
OR with Option H or I: Three months of supervised student teaching can be used to meet the experience requirement

Early Childhood Curriculum Coordinator (Rule #157)
Age Requirement: Must be at least twenty (20) years of age.
Education Requirement:
OPTION A - High school degree or its equivalent AND Fifteen (15) college credits (six of which shall be in early childhood education curriculum development and planning)
When qualifying with option A, a notation will be made that you are qualified "without a degree"
OPTION B - Associate degree in or in a related field to child development or early childhood education (psychology, social work, special education, nursing or human services) AND Fifteen (15) college/university credits in child development or early childhood
OPTION C - Associate degree in early childhood education
OPTION D -Bachelor's degree AND Fifteen (15) college/university credits in child development or early childhood
When qualifying with options B, C or D, a notation will be made that you are qualified "with a degree"
Experience Requirement:
With educational option A: Minimum thirty-six (36) months experience working with children preschool age or younger in a group setting
With educational option B: Minimum twenty-four (24) months experience working with children preschool age or younger in a group setting
With educational option C or D: Minimum twelve (12) months experience working with children preschool age or younger in a group setting

Early Childhood Administrator (Rule #153)
Age Requirement: Must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age
Education Requirement:
OPTION A - Associate degree in a field related to child development, early childhood education , psychology, social work, special education, elementary education, nursing, human services or business administration. AND Fifteen (15) college/university credits (can be within the degree) in course content covering at least three of the following topic areas: child development, developmental curriculum planning, positive behavior management, health and safety, nutrition, family/community, and professionalism)
OPTION B -Bachelor degree AND Fifteen (15) college/university credits (can be within degree) in course content covering at least three of the following topic areas: child development, developmental curriculum planning, positive behavior management, health and safety, nutrition, family/community, and professionalism)
Experience Requirement: Minimum twenty-four (24) months experience working with children, preschool age or younger in a group setting

Specialized Training Credentials Anyone may take Specialized Training and be recognized as having these credentials on their Certificate of Qualifications. While this recognition may not be required by a center, it may provide an advantage when seeking employment and will certainly enhance job skills. Specialized Training is recognized for Infant-Toddler Care, School-Age Care, and Program Administration. Applicants must indicate on the Qualifications Application if they are seeking recognition for Specialized Training. Refer to Delacare Rules for specific requirements for centers