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Child Development Permit Quick Facts
Support and teach children ages birth to 5 years old
Entry level positions requiring 6 units in Early Childhood Education
5-year issuance
Work in an early learning child development program
Do you want to work in an early learning child development program?
Do you enjoy supporting young children as they grow, learn, and discover the world around them? If you’ve been considering a career in education, working with young children (ages 0–5) is a meaningful and impactful place to begin.
Early childhood educators play a critical role in preparing children for Pre-Kindergarten, Transitional Kindergarten, and the early elementary years. With a Child Development Permit, you are qualified to work in a variety of early learning settings, supporting young children during one of the most important stages of their development. You will have the opportunity to guide children’s learning, partner with families, and contribute to strong foundations for future academic success.
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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 are issued for five years and are renewable for successive five year periods upon completion of 105 hours of professional growth.
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.