What is the Child Development Permit?
The Child Development Permit is a document which authorizes service in the care,
development and instruction Of children in a child care and development program.
It verifies that you have fulfilled the requirements, established by the Commission
on Teacher Credentialing (CTC), for assisting, teaching or supervising in a child
development program in the state of California. You must have a Permit to
be eligible for child care and development teaching or administration positions funded
by California Department of Education/Child Development Division.
Other programs may choose to require the Permit to document educational progress.
What is the "New' child development permit?
The new Child Development Permit will take the place of the Emergency Children's
Center Instructional Permit, the Children's Center Instructional Permit, the Children's
Center Supervision Permit and the Life Children's Center Supervision Permit.
It represents an expanded approach to staff certification. For new
applicants, this permit will offer more options for career choice and opportunities
for career advancement.
What are the levels of the "New" child development permit?
There are six levels of the new permit:
- Child Development Assistant
- Child Development Associate Teacher
- Child Development Teacher
- Child Development Master Teacher
- Child Development Site Supervisor
- Child Development Program Director
How will the people already working in a child care center be affected by the new child development permit?
People already holding a Permit and working in a center will not be required to change
their Permit. All valid Permits, for service in a child development program,
issued before the "new" regulations become effective will continue to be in effect and
can be renewed using the "old" regulations. This includes Clear Life Permits.
However, these Permits must always be renewed prior to the expiration date.
If the Permit is allowed to expire the applicant must re-apply using the "new"
regulation standards. Anyone currently holding a Permit may apply and
change over to the new regulation requirements.
What are the elements of the 'New" Child Development Permit and how do I move from one level of the Permit to another?
Individuals may advance from one level of the Permit to another by completing the
necessary education and experience requirements. As one progresses through
the Permit levels additional units in child development and general education are
required. All levels of the Permit include a set of core courses.
The core is made up of one course in each of the following subjects:
- -- child and/or human development
- -- child, family and community or child and family relations
- -- programs and curriculum
The general education requirement includes one course in each of the following areas:
Humanities and/or Fine Arts, Social Sciences, Math and/or Science, and English/Language Arts.
The experience requirement can be met by providing verification of the completion of
work in an instructional capacity in a child care and development setting.
You must work at least three hours per day for a set number of days.
The number of days will increase as you move from one level to another (see the Child
Development Permit Matrix for more detailed information).
Do staff employed in a privately funded child care center need the new Child Development Permit?
No. The new Permit and the regulation changes apply to staff who work in
state-funded child care and development programs. Teacher assistants,
teachers, and program directors, in privately funded programs may not need Permits
unless their agency has chosen to require one. However, they do need to
meet the Department of Social Services Title 22 licensing requirements for staff
qualifications.
Where can I go to take the courses required for a permit?
The CTC defines "Early childhood/child development course work" as course work from
a regionally accredited 2 or 4 year institution of higher education.
The courses are primarily related to children aged five years and younger, though
twenty-five percent of the courses may cover children ages five through eight.
The 16 unit general education course requirement can also be fulfilled by attending
college classes. All courses reviewed for the Permit must he completed
with a grade of "C" or better.
Accredited Home Economics Related Occupations (HERO) programs and Regional Occupation
Programs (ROP) prepare high school students or adults to serve as aides or assistants
in child care and development programs. This training qualifies an
individual to obtain a Child Development Permit at the Assistant level.
Will my job opportunities be greater if I have a permit?
Yes, obtaining a Permit means you will have greater job mobility and the freedom to
look for work in any program setting. The Permit allows you to demonstrate,
to a potential employer, that you have met established state requirements for work
with young children. It may also enhance your earning power and ability to
reach your career goals. Obtaining a Permit is an achievement and
demonstrates that you are a dedicated professional.
This sounds great! How do I apply for a Permit?
You apply for all types of the Permit through the
Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC)
1812 9th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
Information:
916.445.7254
Analysts are
available to answer questions between 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Monday thru Friday.
Who can apply for this Permit?
Anyone who has fulfilled the Commission on Teacher Credentialing requirements can
apply to receive a Child Development Permit. However, individuals who want to
work in programs funded by the California State Department of Education, under the Title
5 Education Code, as teachers or directors are required to have a Permit.
All other program types may opt to require a Permit for employment.
What documents are needed for a Permit application?
You will need to submit the following items:
- -- Application form(s) provided by CTC
- -- Fingerprint cards
- -- Letters that document your work experience
- -- Official college transcripts. If your college work was done in a country other than the United States or Canada, transcripts need to be translated and evaluated by an agency authorized to review foreign transcripts. (information about these agencies can be obtained from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing)
What is the fee for obtaining the Child Development Permit from the Commission on Teacher Credentialing?
All first time applicants will pay a $60 application fee. First time applicants
are also required to pay a one time fingerprinting fee of $56.00. When a Permit
holder completes all of the requirements for a higher level of the Child Development Permit
within three years of the date of initial issuance, he/she may submit an application for
renewal and the original unexpired Permit and pay half the renewal fee.
In all other cases Permit holders must pay a renewal fee every five years to keep their
Permit current.
Can I work at a center while the Permit is being processed?
Yes, if in the opinion of your employer you have evidence on file at the center which
proves that you have completed all necessary requirements (transcripts, experience, etc.).
Some agencies may require a temporary permit. This temporary permit is issued by
the local school district office after reviewing all application documents before being
sent to the CTC.
What is the master teacher level?
The master teacher level is designed to validate teacher accomplishments in the areas
of experience, education and ability to supervise and work with others.
The experience requirement requires the completion of 350 days of experience in an
instructional capacity in a child day care and development program, working at least three
hours per day within the last four years. The master teacher must complete an
area specialization of six semester units and complete a two semester unit course in
adult supervision.
What are the areas of specialization?
Areas of specialization may include but are not limited to the following:
- -- Bilingual and bicultural development
- -- Children with exceptional needs
- -- Preschool programming
- -- Parent/teacher relations
- -- Child health;
- -- Infant and toddler care
Where does the Child Development Associate (CDA) fit in?
The Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program is a major national
effort to improve the quality of child care. It is designed to provide
performance based training and assessment of child care staff. In the new child
development permit matrix the CDA will fulfill the alternative qualifications for the
Associate Teacher.
What is non-formal or non-college based training?
This is education or training that is offered by a program that is not accredited by
the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accredited institution (e.g.
colleges and universities). Some examples of non-formal training might be
High/Scope, Montessori or Far/West Labs/Infant-Toddler Institute.
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