Child Development Permit Quick Facts

Child Development Permit Quick Facts

Do you want to work in a child care and development program?

Have you been told that you're great with babies, infants, or toddlers? Maybe you're that person whom parents always trust to babysit because they know their child is in good hands. If you've been thinking about a career in education, consider working in a child care and development program, such as a daycare or preschool. With a Child Development Permit, you are authorized to care for children of ages from birth to 5 years old. You will have the privilege of caring for the youngest kids and setting them up for success when they are ready to start Pre-Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten.

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These are the levels of Child Development Permits, from lowest to highest authorization of services.

• Child Development Assistant Permit
  Authorizes you to care for and assist in the development and instruction of children in a child care and development program under the supervision of educators who hold higher level permits.
  
  
• Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
  Authorizes you to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and supervise educators with lower level permits and aides.
  
  
• Child Development Teacher Permit
  Authorizes you to provide service in the care, development, and instruction on children in a child care and development program, and supervise educators with lower level permits and aides.
  
  
• Child Development Master Teacher Permit
  Authorizes you to provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, supervise educators with lower level permits and aides, and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a child care and development program.
  
  
• Child Development Site Supervisor Permit
  Authorizes you to supervise a child care and development program operating at a single site, provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a child care and development program.
  
  
• Child Development Program Director Permit
  Authorizes you to supervise a child care and development program operating at a single site or multiple sites, provide service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a child care and development program, and serve as a coordinator of curriculum and staff development in a child care and development program.

What if you also want to care for older children?

The School-Age Emphasis Authorization is an additional kind of authorization that can be added to Child Development Permits. In addition to the services authorized by your level of Child Development Permit, it also allows you to provide services in the care, development, and instruction of children in before-school, after-school, and other school-age child care programs.

Can you renew your Child Development Permit?

All levels of Child Development Permits can be renewed, but each has specific requirements for renewal such as professional growth hours or completion of additional coursework, depending on the level of permit. Additionally, some levels of Child Development Permits can only be renewed a certain number of times before you can no longer renew your current level and must complete requirements to upgrade to a higher level of permit.

Ready to get started on your Child Development Permit?

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If you need help deciding which level of Child Development Permit to apply for, use the Child Development Permit Worksheet and the Child Development and School-Age Emphasis Matrix to see what you qualify for.

Check out the details for each level of Child Development permit on Child Development Permits.