Section 400.8122. Lead caregiver qualifications; responsibilities.

Rule 122. (1) As used in this rule:

(a)    “Child-related field” means elementary education, child guidance/counseling, child psychology, family studies, and social work.

(b)   “Child development associate credential (CDA)” means a credential awarded by the council for professional recognition or similar credential approved by the department.

(c)   “Montessori credential” means a credential issued by the association Montessori internationale (AMI), American Montessori society (AMS), or any Montessori teaching training institution recognized by the Montessori accreditation council for teacher education (MACTE) that meets or exceeds 270 hours of academic training.

(d)   “Hours of experience” means experience serving the ages and developmental abilities of children for whom the caregiver will provide care.

(2)   Lead caregivers are required only for groups of children who are preschool age and younger.

(3)    At least 1 lead caregiver shall be assigned to each group of children in self- contained or well-defined space and shall be present and providing care in the assigned group in the following manner:

(a)   Full time for programs operating less than 6 continuous hours.

(b)   At least 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours.

(4)   Lead caregivers shall be responsible for both of the following:

(a)     Overseeing  the  planning,   implementation,  and  evaluation  of  the  classroom program and child assessment.

(b)   Overseeing caregiving staff for a specific group of children and overall care and supervision of children.

(5)   Lead caregivers shall have both of the following qualifications:

(a)   Be at least 19 years of age.

(b)   Have a high school diploma or GED.

(6)   Lead caregivers shall meet 1 of the following qualifications:

	Education	Coursework in Early Childhood  Education, Child Development, or a Child-Related Field	Hours                   of Experience
(a)	Bachelor’s degree  or higher in early childhood education,                      child development, or a child- related field
(b)	Associate’s         degree        or higher  in   early  childhood

	education         or         child development
(c)	Montessori credential with		480 hours
(d)	Valid   child            development associate credential with		480 hours
(e)	High school diploma/ GED with	12 semester hours and	960 hours
(f)	High school diploma/ GED with	A combination of: 12  semester  hours   and/or 18    CEUs   to   equal   180 clock hours with	1,920 hours
(g)	High school diploma/ GED with	A combination of: 6 semester hours and/or 9 CEUs to equal 90 clock hours with	3,840 hours

(7)   Lead caregivers hired after the effective date of these rules shall meet 1 of the qualifications of subrule (6)(a) to (f) of this rule.

(8)   Lead caregivers qualified under subrule (6)(d) of this rule with an expired child development associate credential have 1 year from the effective date of these rules to obtain a valid child development associate credential.

(9)   Lead caregivers for infants and toddlers shall have 3 semester hours or 4.5 CEUs in infant/toddler development and care practices within 6 months of hire. These semester hours or CEUs may satisfy a portion of the requirements of subrule (6) of this rule.

(10)   A substitute for a lead caregiver shall be appointed for a lead caregiver who has left employment or has a temporary absence that exceeds 30 consecutive workdays until return or replacement. A substitute lead caregiver shall meet at least the qualifications of lead caregiver or be currently enrolled in relevant training.

(11)   Verification of the education, credentials, and experience of each lead caregiver shall be kept on file at the center.

History: 2013 AACS.