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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Does anyone know if there is a standard qualification for a licensed day care center teacher/assistant teacher? Example: GED, 3 years experience, CPR certified etc etc.
I have posted numerous times that I love my DDs daycare but today something happened and I am not sure how to follow-up.
Just to give background:
My DD is 1 out of 8 babies in the infant room. There are 2 teachers. Ratio is 1 teacher, every 4 students, perfect.
One teacher is considered the head teacher, and the other one is the assistant teacher. I don't actually see a difference in what they do but clearly on their end there must be some differential.
The assistant teacher's last day was today. In the morning the head teacher introduced us to a new lady who would be helping her. There was no indication that this was the assistant teachers replacement, just that she would be helping the head teacher.
When my DD came home from daycare there was a note in her bag that the woman we met from this morning would be the new assistant teacher. The note said she is a friend of the head teacher, they have known each other a long time and she has a 4 month old of her own.
Um, ok. So that qualifies her to be the assistant teacher to infants? According to that I could do the job. We don't go back to daycare until Thursday and I want some clarification on how this woman is suddenly the assistant teacher.
The reason I care so much is b/c in the early morning or in the late afternoon when the room only had 4 kids my daughter will be alone with this new teacher. No disrespect to this woman, she could be lovely and amazing and she seemed very nice when we met her for those few moments but of course I want to ask for further information but I don't even know what to ask.
Am I over-thinking this? I obviously understand that they need to hire a new teacher to help the class but I thought for sure it would be someone with actual previous daycare experience.
Message edited 3/31/2015 7:50:49 PM.
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Posted 3/31/15 7:50 PM  |
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Loveme
LIF Adult
Member since 6/11 3170 total posts
Name:
Me
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Day Care Worker
Not sure about daycare but with preschool you don't need much to be an assistant teacher (maybe just a bachelors).
My friend that lives in PA just has her HS diploma and worked as a daycare teacher for a few years. Not sure though if the rules are different per state.
Usually these places hire based on experience.
Sorry just realized I didn't really answer the Q!
Message edited 3/31/2015 8:23:08 PM.
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| Posted 3/31/15 8:22 PM |
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Sweetlax22
LIF Adult
Member since 5/10 1904 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I found this, just click where is says "staff qualifications"
http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/regs/418-1_CDCC_regs.asp
If I am reading correctly you just need a HS diploma and a background check.
Message edited 3/31/2015 8:25:21 PM.
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| Posted 3/31/15 8:23 PM |
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alli3131
Peanut is here!!!!!!
Member since 5/09 18388 total posts
Name:
Allison
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Day Care Worker
I think you are reading too much into it. Plenty of staff at my sons daycare do not have a degree and they are wonderful staff members.
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| Posted 3/31/15 8:35 PM |
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Tracy705
LIF Infant
Member since 5/08 301 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I was a TA at a daycare while I was going through undergrad. You just have to be 18 and a clear background check to be left alone with children at the daycare. Although this was 10 years ago and I am not sure if things have changed. Pay totally sucks so you aren't going to get many with degrees or training education working as a TA.
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| Posted 3/31/15 8:43 PM |
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Teachergal
We made a snowman!
Member since 1/08 3239 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I think you are over-thinking this. The daycare would never hire someone without proper certification or qualifications. If the state shows up to check on them, they would be out of compliance and would face violations. Did you ask her if she had previous experience or are you assuming she doesn't based on what the head teacher said? If you are really curious, you could ask the director where else the TA has worked in a just-wanting-to-get-to-know-her sort of way. I'm sure she'll be great with your DD. 
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| Posted 3/31/15 8:49 PM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Posted by Sweetlax22
I found this, just click where is says "staff qualifications"
http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/regs/418-1_CDCC_regs.asp
If I am reading correctly you just need a HS diploma and a background check.
Yup. I want to say everyone needs to be CPR/First Aid certified but it may just be a certain number of people at the center have to be. Fingerprints and background checks are a definite must and the state does check for this for each staff member.
I worked in daycare for several years after graduating college. I first worked at Tutor Time where even though I had a Bachelor's degree, I couldn't be anything higher than an Assistant. In order to be a Lead Teacher there, you had to have a Masters.... to make $11 an hour (if that).
I then got a position at another daycare where I became the lead teacher. Several of the leads and pretty much all of the assistants had a HS diploma. Everyone was CPR/First aid certified.
A degree doesn't guarantee that they are qualified to do their job.
ETA: Prior to getting the lead teacher job, I had changed maybe 2 diapers in my life. Never made a bottle. I was the infant teacher.
Message edited 3/31/2015 9:17:20 PM.
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| Posted 3/31/15 9:15 PM |
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SLPRunner
LIF Adult
Member since 12/13 1101 total posts
Name:
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Day Care Worker
I'd probably feel the same way, but more because I am always weary of someone new in the room. My DS is probably moving up to the Infant II room at his daycare and I'm sure the new teacher in there is nice (she is literally a teacher new to the daycare) I don't know her well yet.
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| Posted 3/31/15 9:53 PM |
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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Day Care Worker
Thanks for all the info ladies. I don't even have a proper response to all that was said lol I know everyone has to start somewhere and I trust the daycare to make good decisions when hiring. I just want to make sure that I am doing my due diligence as a mom with someone new around my dd. Thanks again! =)
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| Posted 4/1/15 5:51 AM |
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MrsA1012
love my little girl !
Member since 9/10 5777 total posts
Name:
Me
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Day Care Worker
You just need a highschool diploma to be an assistant in a day care eta: plus passing a criminal check.
Message edited 4/1/2015 8:11:36 AM.
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| Posted 4/1/15 8:09 AM |
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Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
Name:
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Day Care Worker
I used to work at a daycare (Tutor Time in Syosset) and to be an assistant you do not need a degree. They prefer someone with experience, but it's not necessary.
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| Posted 4/1/15 8:26 AM |
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Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sweetlax22
I found this, just click where is says "staff qualifications"
http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/regs/418-1_CDCC_regs.asp
If I am reading correctly you just need a HS diploma and a background check.
Yup. I want to say everyone needs to be CPR/First Aid certified but it may just be a certain number of people at the center have to be. Fingerprints and background checks are a definite must and the state does check for this for each staff member.
I worked in daycare for several years after graduating college. I first worked at Tutor Time where even though I had a Bachelor's degree, I couldn't be anything higher than an Assistant. In order to be a Lead Teacher there, you had to have a Masters.... to make $11 an hour (if that).
I then got a position at another daycare where I became the lead teacher. Several of the leads and pretty much all of the assistants had a HS diploma. Everyone was CPR/First aid certified.
A degree doesn't guarantee that they are qualified to do their job.
ETA: Prior to getting the lead teacher job, I had changed maybe 2 diapers in my life. Never made a bottle. I was the infant teacher.
I was a lead teacher at Tutor Time and I don't have any degree. I think they were desperate for a teacher since my room had the worst turnover rate (I was there for one year and they had 5 different teachers and assistants go in and out). They liked me so they asked me if I wanted to be the lead and I of course said yes.
But I only made $10.50/hr lol.
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| Posted 4/1/15 8:28 AM |
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blu6385
Member since 5/08 8351 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I think you are overthinking it for that age. As long as the person pass the background check and she knows how to take care of children I don't see why they would need any type of degree to take care of kids.
I find head teacher and assistant teacher meaning nothing except for them because I am sure pay is different.
I think degree matters more when the kids start reaching preschool age
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| Posted 4/1/15 8:37 AM |
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FTM427
LIF Adult
Member since 1/12 1261 total posts
Name:
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Day Care Worker
I think I'd actually be more comfortable with the fact that this person is known for many years by the head teacher. Assuming I liked the head teacher (which it sounds like you do), then I'd find it more reassuring that they knew each other for such a long time and would be more comfortable than if it were someone random who just applied for the job.
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| Posted 4/1/15 9:29 AM |
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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Posted by FTM427
I think I'd actually be more comfortable with the fact that this person is known for many years by the head teacher. Assuming I liked the head teacher (which it sounds like you do), then I'd find it more reassuring that they knew each other for such a long time and would be more comfortable than if it were someone random who just applied for the job.
Excellent point!
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| Posted 4/1/15 10:00 AM |
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Sparrow
LIF Adult
Member since 11/10 6826 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I think with infants knowing how to care for them isn't something a college degree in teaching is going to help much with. The fact that the lead teacher has known her a long time and the fact that she has her own baby would mean more to me.
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| Posted 4/1/15 10:02 AM |
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mnmsoinlove
Mommy to 2 sweet girls!
Member since 3/09 8585 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I worked in daycare for 10+ years all staff must be CPR certified and take 30 hours per year of child care related courses. Many teachers have their cda and or associate degrees in early childhood. Some schools only hire licensed teachers but for those type of programs you will most certainly pay more.
I agree that a college degree could never teach a person how to handle an infant. Either you have the personality for it or you don't. There are many nannies, babysitters, daycare workers who hardly have any education and are just phenomenal people that be be trusted to
Care for a baby.
Message edited 4/1/2015 10:18:31 AM.
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| Posted 4/1/15 10:14 AM |
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Michi
My Love
Member since 5/05 31600 total posts
Name:
M
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Day Care Worker
And this is why I enjoy posting on this board. Insight into things that didn't dawn on me. I promise I am not harping on the degree aspect, just surprised that no prior experience seems to be necessary. But as many of you have mentioned if the lead teacher (who I love) is vouching for her then thats a huge plus. Thanks again everyone!
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| Posted 4/1/15 10:19 AM |
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ElizaRags35
My 2 Girls
Member since 2/09 20494 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Posted by Pinkisles
Posted by ElizaRags35
Posted by Sweetlax22
I found this, just click where is says "staff qualifications"
http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/childcare/regs/418-1_CDCC_regs.asp
If I am reading correctly you just need a HS diploma and a background check.
Yup. I want to say everyone needs to be CPR/First Aid certified but it may just be a certain number of people at the center have to be. Fingerprints and background checks are a definite must and the state does check for this for each staff member.
I worked in daycare for several years after graduating college. I first worked at Tutor Time where even though I had a Bachelor's degree, I couldn't be anything higher than an Assistant. In order to be a Lead Teacher there, you had to have a Masters.... to make $11 an hour (if that).
I then got a position at another daycare where I became the lead teacher. Several of the leads and pretty much all of the assistants had a HS diploma. Everyone was CPR/First aid certified.
A degree doesn't guarantee that they are qualified to do their job.
ETA: Prior to getting the lead teacher job, I had changed maybe 2 diapers in my life. Never made a bottle. I was the infant teacher.
I was a lead teacher at Tutor Time and I don't have any degree. I think they were desperate for a teacher since my room had the worst turnover rate (I was there for one year and they had 5 different teachers and assistants go in and out). They liked me so they asked me if I wanted to be the lead and I of course said yes.
But I only made $10.50/hr lol.
Maybe it depends on the TT location? I worked in college point for a whopping 6 weeks back in 2005. It was awful. Ratios were never followed, they were inappropriately understaffed. At one point I remember turning to the camera and yelling - someone please come in here and help me! I had about 15 3 year olds by myself. When I got the job as the lead teacher and went in to give notice, the director scoffed at me and asked me how I managed to get a lead position without a masters. It was so bad.
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| Posted 4/1/15 12:54 PM |
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Pinkisles
<3
Member since 11/13 2868 total posts
Name:
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
Posted by ElizaRags35
Maybe it depends on the TT location? I worked in college point for a whopping 6 weeks back in 2005. It was awful. Ratios were never followed, they were inappropriately understaffed. At one point I remember turning to the camera and yelling - someone please come in here and help me! I had about 15 3 year olds by myself. When I got the job as the lead teacher and went in to give notice, the director scoffed at me and asked me how I managed to get a lead position without a masters. It was so bad.
I think my case was that they were so desperate for teachers they just gave me the lead teacher job. They were really bad at this tutor time too. Iloved the director and assistant director but the owners were always making them do shady things. I called up one morning because I went to the dr the night before and I had pink eye. I told them I couldn't come in. They forced me to come in because they were having a state inspection and needed me to keep my room under control. They said "just try not to touch the kids". I was in the 2 year old room and they adored me and always wanted to hug me...how was I supposed to not touch them. That really turned me off and I quit soon after.
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| Posted 4/1/15 4:50 PM |
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ChristinaM128
LIF Adult
Member since 8/12 4043 total posts
Name:
Christina
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Re: Day Care Worker "Credentials" - long winded question
I know beyond the state requirements (which a pp linked, and is not much), centers vary on the basic requirements. I know where dd goes that every adult in the building is CPR certified. They make a point to let us know that. I know there's also other mandatory courses for all employees every few months (I see the postings at the front desk) - for SIDS prevention, technology, etc.
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| Posted 4/1/15 9:30 PM |
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