Your Path to Childcare Leadership in Kentucky - post

Your Path to Childcare Leadership in Kentucky

If you're passionate about #early-childhood education and aspire to #lead a childcare center in Kentucky, becoming a Childcare Director is a rewarding #career path. This role involves overseeing daily operations, ensuring compliance with state regulations, and fostering a nurturing environment for children and #staff.​

Kentucky State Requirements for Childcare Directors

In Kentucky, the Cabinet for Health and Family Services outlines specific qualifications for childcare directors, particularly for Type I licensed centers. According to 922 KAR 2:090 Section 10, candidates must meet the following criteria:

General Requirements:

• Age: Must be at least 21 years old.

• Education: Possess a high school diploma or GED.

• Health: Provide documentation of a negative TB skin test or a #health professional's statement confirming #freedom from TB.

• Background Check: Complete the National Background Check Program (NBCP) through KARES.​

Educational and Experience Requirements:

Candidates must fulfill one of the following educational and experience pathways:

• Degree in Early Childhood Education:

  • Associate, Bachelor's, or Master's degree in Early Childhood Education and Development.​

• Degree in Another Field:

  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in a non-related field, plus 12 clock hours of child #development training.​

• Associate Degree in Another Field:

  • Associate degree in a non-related field, plus 12 clock hours of child development training and two years of verifiable full-time paid experience working directly with children.

• Director's Credential:

  • Obtain a Director's Credential in Early Childhood Development and have one year of verifiable full-time paid experience working directly with children in a qualifying program.​

• Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential:

  • Hold a CDA credential and have one year of verifiable paid experience working directly with children in a qualifying program.​

• Experience-Based Qualification:

  • Three years of verifiable full-time paid experience working directly with children in a qualifying program.​

*Note: Qualifying programs include school-based programs following Department of Education guidelines, early childhood development programs such as Head Start, or licensed/certified child-care programs.

Earning Your CDA Credential

The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential is a nationally recognized certification that demonstrates your competence in #early-childhood-education. Earning a CDA can fulfill one of the pathways to becoming a childcare director in Kentucky.​

To obtain a CDA credential, you must:​

• Complete 120 hours of formal early childhood education training.

• Accumulate 480 hours of professional work experience with children.

• Prepare a professional portfolio.

• Pass the CDA exam and a verification visit.​

For more information on the CDA credential, visit CDAcertification.com

Advancing with the Kentucky Director's Credential

Beyond the CDA, Kentucky offers a Director's Credential for those aiming to deepen their #leadership skills. This credential requires the completion of 12 college credit hours in areas such as:​

• Local, state, and federal regulations and laws.

• Ethics.

• Programming for families and children.

• Supervision and staff development.

• Health and #safety.

• Financial management and marketing.

• Community collaboration and resource management.​

These courses can be part of an early childhood education degree program or pursued separately. 

Conclusion

Becoming a childcare director in Kentucky is a commendable goal that requires dedication, education, and experience. By understanding and meeting the state's requirements, and by pursuing credentials like the CDA and the Kentucky Director's Credential, you can position yourself as a leader in early childhood education.​

Note: For specific course offerings and enrollment details, please visit cdacertification.com