Becoming a Preschool Teacher in California

Become a preschool teacher.

According to California’s Grossmont College Department of Child and Family Studies, most in-state preschools require teachers to complete a minimum number of post-secondary education related classes and/or earn a Child Development Permit. The Child Development permit is a state issued credential that includes 24 semester units of Child Development course work and 16 credits of general/basic education (i.e., English, social studies, math and science). Although this credential is only necessary to teach in state-funded programs, the level of child development training required for issuance can be beneficial when applying for a job in any California preschool.

Instructions

Earn a Child Development Permit

1. Decide which level of Child Development Permit best meets your professional needs. Permits include: Assistant, Associate Teacher, Teacher, Master Teacher, Site Supervisor and Program Director. You must fulfill all requirements for each specific permit to qualify. Each permit requires a specific amount of training and prior child development experience. For example, a Child Development Assistant Permit requires the candidate to have six post-secondary semester credits of child development related courses, associate teachers should have 12 credits, teachers should have 16 credits, master teachers should have 22 credits, site supervisors should have at least 68 credits, and directors should have at least a bachelor's degree.

2. Complete the requisite child development course work. This includes 24 semester credits of classes that cover early childhood education and/or child development topics. This must include three credits in child growth and development, family relations and curriculum development.

3. Pass 16 credits of general or liberal arts education classes. These must include course work in English, mathematics, social sciences, science and the humanities.

4. Submit documentation for employment experience requirements. This includes 175 days working in an instructional (i.e., teaching) role in a child care center or school within the past four years.

5. Submit a complete application packet (see Resources). This should contain official transcripts outlining child development/education courses work, Form 41-1 (Application for Credential Authorization Public School Service), and a Live Scan receipt (i.e., fingerprint clearance card).

What To Do After You Have A Permit

1. Prepare a professional resume. Include all relevant educational, employment and volunteer experience.

2. Write a cover letter that highlights your child development skills, awards and/or achievements, educational philosophy and the reasons why hiring you will be beneficial for the school/center.

3. Search local newspaper and periodical job classifieds, attend a child development related job fair, visit specific center/school websites, visit the Teach California website or the National Association for the Education of Young Children website. Check to make sure that your credential, education and experience meets the job requirements.

4. Send or email a resume and cover letter.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have an associate's degree or higher in child development or a similar area, you do not need to take extra classes to fulfill the 24 child development and 16 general education credit requirements.

• If you hold a Child Development Associate credential, you may substitute your credential for nine of the 24 required child development credits.

• You may count post-secondary child development/education field experience toward the 24 hours of required child development courses. In order to count, this must contain a classroom component.

• Although a Child Development Permit is not required to teach in a private preschool, not having one may limit your employment choices.

• Only take child development/early education classes from an approved or accredited post-secondary institution. The State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing can provide a list of approved options (see Resources).

• Only submit relevant, factual information on a preschool teacher job resume. Do not include unrelated hobbies or past-times, and do not lie about experience.

References

• Grossmont College: Teacher Requirements

Resources

• State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Child Development Permits
• Teach California: Find a Teaching Job
• National Association for the Education of Young Children
• State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Child Development Permits Application Packet
• State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing: Approved Programs