10A NCAC 09 .2820. EDUCATION STANDARDS FOR LEAD TEACHERS FOR A RATED LICENSE FOR CHILD CARE CENTERS

(a)  This Rule applies to evaluating child care centers with regards to all lead teachers. The points for education standards are determined by applying this Rule along with Rules .2819, .2821, .2822 and .2823 of this Section.  To determine the points attained for meeting the education standards, the lowest number of points attained under each Rule shall be the point used to meet Rule .2802 of this Section.

(b)  To achieve two points, 75 percent of the lead teachers shall:

(1)           Have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent or a Level I or higher Early Educator Certification on the Early Care and Education Professional Scale (ECE scale); and

(2)           Have completed or enrolled in three semester hours in early childhood education or child development (not including North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework).

(c)  To achieve three points, all lead teachers shall have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent or a Level I or higher certification on the ECE scale; and either

(1)           75 percent of the lead teachers shall have:

(A)          Completed three semester hours in early childhood education and completed or are enrolled in three additional semester hours in early childhood education or child development (not including North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework); or

(B)          Completed one year full time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(C)          A level II or higher certification on the ECE scale; or

(D)          Any combination of Parts (A) through (C) of this Subparagraph; or

(2)           50 percent of the lead teachers shall have a Level II or higher certification on the ECE scale.

(d)  To achieve four points, all lead teachers shall have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent, or Level I or higher certification on the ECE scale; and

(1)           Either 75 percent of the lead teachers shall have:

(A)          Completed six semester hours in early childhood education or child development (not including the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework), and have completed or are enrolled in three additional semester hours in early childhood education; or

(B)          Completed three semester hours of early childhood education and have three years of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(C)          Five years of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(D)          Any combination of Parts (A) through (C) of this Subparagraph; or

(2)           50 percent of the lead teachers shall have a Level III or higher certification on the ECE scale.

(e)  To achieve five points, all lead teachers shall have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent, or have a Level I or higher certification on the ECE scale and 75 percent of the lead teachers shall have:

(1)           Completed nine semester hours in early childhood education or child development (not including the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential coursework), and have completed or are enrolled in three additional semester hours in early childhood education, and have one year of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(2)           A Level IV or higher certification on the ECE scale and have one year of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(3)           Any combination of Subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this Paragraph.

(f)  To achieve six points, all lead teachers shall have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent, or a Level I or higher certification on the ECE scale and 50 percent of the lead teachers shall have either:

(1)           An A.A.S degree in early childhood education or child development or an A.A.S degree in any major with 12 semester hours in early childhood education or child development and one year of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(2)           Completed 60 semester hours towards a BA/BS degree program with 12 semester hours in early childhood education and one year of full-time verifiable early childhood work  experience; or

(3)           A Level VI certification on the ECE scale and one year of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(4)           Any combination of Subparagraphs (1) through (3) of this Paragraph.

(g)  To achieve seven points, all lead teachers shall have the North Carolina Early Childhood Credential, its equivalent, or a Level I or higher certification on the ECE scale and 75 percent of the lead teachers shall have either:

(1)           An A.A.S. degree in early childhood education or child development or an A.A.S. degree in any major with 12 semester hours in early childhood education or child development and two years of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(2)           A Level VI certification on the ECE scale and two years of full-time verifiable early childhood work experience; or

(3)           Any combination of Subparagraphs (1) and (2) of this Paragraph.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 110-85; 110-88(7); 110-90(4); 143B-168.3;

Eff. August 1, 2012.