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Licensing Rules and Regulations

Licensing Qualifications and Ratio Information

Please see the current California Community Care Licensing Title 22/Title 5 Requirement for detailed information. For education to be considered, all classes must have passing grades of C or better. Class numbers listed below are for Palomar College only. Program/Curriculum courses are CHDV 106, 182, 184, or 185.

101215.1 Director Qualifications

  • High school diploma or GED, 12 units (100, 115, and 2 prog/curr), and 3 units administration or staff relations (150 or 155), plus 4 years of teaching experience in a licensed or comparable group childcare program, OR
  • AA degree in ECE or CD and 3 units of administration, plus 2 years of teaching experience, OR
  • BA degree in ECE or CD and 3 units of administration, plus 1 year of teaching experience, OR
  • Site Supervisor or Director Permit.

101216.1 Teacher Qualifications

  • Complete 15 hours of health and safety training, and
  • Passed at least 6 units or have an Assistant Teacher permit.
  • After employment, a teacher hired above shall complete at least 2 units each semester until the requirements below are met. Must have on-site supervision by a fully qualified teacher until the 6 additional units are completed, OR
  • Fully qualified teacher: 12 units (100, 115, and 2 prog/curr.), plus 50 days of teaching experience within 6 months paid or volunteer in a licensed or comparable group childcare program. To work with infants, 3 units must be specialized (103 or 106). School-age teacher may substitute hours for units (see regulations for details), OR
  • Current CDA (no CDA programs in our area), OR
  • Current Associate Teacher, Teacher, or Master Teacher permit.

101216.2 Teacher Aide Qualifications

  • 18 years of age (unless a high school graduate or in an ROP program), and
  • Under the direct supervision of a teacher unless escorting children to the bathroom or in the napping room (see specific sections for these exemptions), and
  • Completion of at least 6 units or enrolled in at least 2 units per semester until the 6 units are completed. To work with infants, 3 units must be specialized (103 or 106).

101216.3 Ratio Information

Number shall not exceed the licensed capacity of a center.

Title 22 Regulations (typical centers include for-profit, faith-based, non-profit, but not state-funded)

  • 1:12 – 1 fully qualified teacher for 12 children. (2-5 years old)
  • 1:15 – 1 fully qualified teacher and 1 aide for 15 children.
  • 1:18 – 1 fully qualified teacher and 1 aide for 18 preschool-aged children (3-5 years old)
  • 1:4 – 1 fully qualified teacher for 4 infants, or 1:12 infant teacher with 2 aides
  • 1:6 – 1 fully qualified teacher for 6 toddlers, or 1:12 infant teacher with 1 aide (Toddler Component 18-30 months)
  • 1:14 – 1 fully qualified teacher for 14 school age children, examples 15 – 28 children= 1 Teacher & 1 Aide; 29 – 42 children = 2 Teachers & 1 Aide; 43 – 56 children = 2 Teachers & 2 Aides.

Title 5 Regulations (typical centers include state-funded and Head Start)

  • Infants (0-18 months) 1:3 adult-child ratio, 1:18 teacher-child ratio.
  • Toddlers (18-36 months) 1:4 adult-child ratio, 1:16 teacher-child ratio.
  • Preschool (36 months to Kinder) 1:8 adult-child ratio, 1:24 teacher-child ratio.
  • Afterschool (K-14 years) 1:14 adult-child ratio, 1:28 teacher-child ratio.
  • See additional Title 5 information for the combining of groups and exceeding ratios
  • See additional information for Preschool Program w/ Toddler Component & Parent Cooperative Centers.

Courses Needed to Work In Licensed Child Care

Community Care Licensing State Regulations require students who work with young children to have a minimum of 12 units in Child Development. CHDV 100 and 115 are required core courses. CHDV 104 is highly recommended. Students must complete one curriculum 3 unit CHDV courses to complete the 12 units. Curriculum courses include CHDV 106, 142, 144, or CHDV 185.

Certificates meet the course requirements for teachers, site supervisors, and directors of private child care programs licensed by the California State Department of Social Services (Title 22), Community Care Licensing. The program also meets the course requirements for the Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. Child Development programs that are state funded or federally funded (Title 5 programs such as, Head Start, state preschool, etc.) follow the Child Development Permit matrix. In addition to the course work listed in the certificate, students must have experience working with young children in order to obtain an actual Child Development Permit from the State of California. For specific questions relating to the Child Development Permit, please contact the Child Development department chair for further information.

California Community Care Licensing Qualifications and Ratio Information