Educational Information

Staff Credential

Staff Credential: A Staff Credential is an official designation that means an individual's professional education meets or exceeds the professional criteria set by the Department of Children and Families.

A staff member with one of the qualifications listed below will be issued a CF-FSP 5206, Staff Credential Verification form.

1. National Early Childhood Certificate - Active National Child Development Associate (CDA).
2. Formal Educational Qualifications
   1. B.A., B.S. or advanced degree in ONE of the following areas: Early Childhood Education/Child Development, Pre-Kindergarten or Primary Education, Preschool Education, Family and Consumer Sciences (formerly Home Economics/Child Development), Exceptional Student Education, Special Education, Mental Disabilities, Specific Learning Disabilities, Physically Impaired, Varying Exceptionalities, Emotional Disabilities, Visually Impaired, Hearing Impaired, Speech-Language Pathology or Elementary Education with certification to teach any age birth through 6th grade (certification may be inactive provided the certificate is not suspended/revoked). The Department of Education has adopted criteria and procedures for approving equivalent credentials as provided in Section 1002.55(4)(e), Florida Statutes. The approval process is outlined on the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) website: www.myfloridaeducation.com/earlylearning, under VPK Instructor Qualifications.
   2. A.S., A.A. degree or higher in Early Childhood Education/Child Development
   3. Associate's degree or higher WITH at least six (6) college credit hours in early childhood education/child development AND at least 480 hours experience in a child care setting serving children ages birth through eight (8).
3. Active Birth through Five Child Care Credential (Formerly the Florida Child Development Associate Equivalency Credential (CDAE))
4. Active School-Age Child Care Credential (Formerly the Florida School-Age Certification)

A Staff Credential is obtained by submitting copies of transcripts or a program certificate to the credential unit of the Department of Children and Families. Please visit www.myflorida.com/childcare/training for application and more information on the Staff Credential.

Florida Child Care Professional Credential

The Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) is a Department of Children and Families approved training program, recognized in the State of Florida by early childhood professionals. This program is designed to provide performance based training, assessment, and credentialing of early childhood professionals. Classes are conducted by DCF approved training providers. The competency standards of the FCCPC program are composed of 8 content areas in which the candidate will demonstrate knowledge and/or skill.

• REQUIREMENTS:
• Candidate may be required to have a high school diploma or GED
• Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past 5 years, 80 of which must occur during the formal training
• Have 120 clock hours of formal child care education within the past 5 years
• DOCUMENTATION OF COMPETENCE:
  • Early Childhood Portfolio which includes an autobiography, statements of competence, and a resource collection
  • Formal observation using the program's approved observation tool

An FCCPC is valid for 5 years and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. Early childhood educators who hold a valid FCCPC qualify for the Florida Staff Credential which is needed for licensed centers to meet the credentialing ratio.

For more detailed information, visit www.myflorida.com/childcare/training

National Early Childhood Certificate

The National Early Childhood Certificate (NECC) is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, Washington, DC and is recognized by early childhood educators nationwide. This program is designed to provide performance based training, assessment, and credentialing of early childhood professionals. The competency standards of the NECC program are composed of six goals, which describe the guidelines for practitioner behavior, and thirteen functional areas, which describe the major tasks they must complete.

• REQUIREMENTS:
  • Candidates must be 18 years or older
  • Hold a high school diploma or GED
  • Have 480 hours of experience working with children within the past 5 years, 80 of which must occur during the formal training
  • Have 120 clock hours of formal child care education within the past 5 years
• DOCUMENTATION OF COMPETENCE:
  • A Professional Resource File as described in NECC booklet
  • Parent Opinion Questionnaires
  • NECC Assessment Observation Instrument
  • Oral Interview
  • Written Assessment

An NECC is valid for 3 years from the award date, after which it must be renewed every 5 years. Early childhood educators who hold a valid NECC qualify for the Florida Staff Credential which is needed for licensed centers to meet the credentialing ratio.

For more detailed information, visit www.cdacouncil.org

Early Childhood Professional Certificate

The Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) is a Department of Education approved training program, recognized in the State of Florida by early childhood professionals. Candidates must be working at a facility based preschool only. The program is designed to provide performance based training, assessment and credentialing of early childhood professionals. The competency standards of the ECPC program are composed of 8 content areas. The formal training hours MUST include the 40 hour DCF Introductory Training and the 5 hour DCF approved literacy course. Classes are conducted at DOE secondary schools and Postsecondary Adult Vocational programs.

• REQUIREMENTS:
  • 480 hours working with children in a child care setting, to be completed while enrolled in the training program
  • 120 clock hours of formal child care education
• DOCUMENTATION OF COMPETENCE:
  • Early Childhood Portfolio which includes an autobiography, statements of competence, and a resource collection
  • Formal observation using the program's observation tool

An ECPC is valid for 5 years and must be renewed prior to the expiration date. Early childhood educators who hold a valid ECPC qualify for the Florida Staff Credential which is needed for licensed centers to meet the credentialing ratio.

For more detailed information, visit www.myflorida.com/childcare/training

Director Credential Certification

Director Credential Certification Requirements

Core Requirements for all Levels:

1. High School Diploma or GED
2. The 30 hour Part I
   - FOR SCHOOL-AGE APPLICANTS ONLY: School-age training from a national organization as outlined in 65C-22.008(4)(b) may substitute for the Child Growth and Development and Behavioral Observation and Screening components of the 30 hour Part I Department of Children and Families' training.
3. A minimum of eight (8) hours of in-service training on children with disabilities or the department's Special Needs Appropriate Practices course.

Level I Requirements

Core Requirements: Must meet all core requirements listed above

Education: An "Overview of Child Care Management" course approved by the department for vocational credit, CEU's or college credit; or a Director Credential recognized by another state, subject to approval by the Florida Child Care Director Credential Program.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year experience as an on-site child care director* in a licensed child care facility or facility that is legally exempt from licensure.

* Experience may be gained as a director, co-director, assistant director or lead teacher in a Head Start program.

Level II Requirements

Core Requirements: Must meet all core requirements listed above

Education: An "Overview of Child Care Management" course approved by the department for vocational credit, CEU's or college credit; or a Director Credential recognized by another state, subject to approval by the Florida Child Care Director Credential Program.

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year experience as an on-site child care director* in a licensed child care facility or facility that is legally exempt from licensure.

* Experience may be gained as a director, co-director, assistant director or lead teacher in a Head Start program.

Advanced Level Requirements

1. Meet all core requirements listed above
2. Meet the requirements of one (1) of the following categories:
   • An associate's degree or higher; a minimum of two (2) years experience as an on-site child care director** in a licensed child care facility or facility that is legally exempt from licensure; and an "Overview of Child Care Management" course approved by the department for vocational credit, CEU's or college credit.**
   • A minimum of two (2) years experience as an on-site child care director* in a licensed child care facility or facility that is legally exempt from licensure; an "Overview of Child Care Management" course approved by the department for vocational credit, CEU's or college credit; ***and at least two (2) three (3) credit courses in the following curriculum areas:
     • Child Care and Education Organizational Leadership
     • Child Care and Education Financial and Legal Issues
     • Child Care and Education Programming
   • Five (5) years experience as an administrator or director* in a licensed child care facility or facility that is legally exempt from licensure and an "Overview of Child Care Management" course approved by the department for vocational credit, CEU's or college credit. ***

* Experience may be gained from the positions of director, co-director, assistant director or lead teacher in a Head Start program.

** The "Overview of Child Care Management" requirement may be substituted by successfully passing a corresponding child care competency exam with a minimum score of 70; by completing a three (3) credit college level course in Child Care Administration, Business Administration, or Education Administration; or with a Director Credential recognized by another state, subject to approval by the Florida Child Care Director Credential Program.

*** The "Overview of Child Care Management" requirement may be substituted by successfully completing a three (3) credit college level course in Child Care administration, Business Administration, or Education Administration or with a Director Credential recognized by another state, subject to approval by the Florida Child Care Director Credential Program.

VPK Director Endorsment

Consistent with the requirements of section 1002.55(3)(f), F.S., a private prekindergarten program delivering the VPK program must have a director who has a VPK Director Endorsement, issued by DCF, that meets the requirements of Rule 6A.6.040(2), FAC.

Exempt: Successful completion of the Director Credential prior to December 31, 2006, satisfies this requirement, although individuals are strongly encouraged to acquire the VPK Endorsement. Exempt individuals are strongly encouraged to apply for the endorsement.

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