Do I need a degree in Early childhood or a degree at all to open a daycare in NJ.?

Question

I'm interested in opening up a day care, but am still in college. Education program is difficult to get into - and teaching in a school district is something i don't really wanna do - just figure i need a degree in something. My true passion is opening up a daycare, not being in a classroom forever. Any pointers or help how to get started? I realize it takes money, just need some advice on laws and what it takes to start one.

Answer 1

I can't give a better answer than the last one.

I would still suggest going through an early childhood education program.  While there are other options, you will learn so much in terms of how children learn, develop, and grow.  This will be CRITICAL when dealing with parents.  You are going to be looked to for ideas of how to raise children.  Knowing why children are the way they are from a variety of different studies will be very beneficial.

Matt

Answer 2

I own my own preschool and have my CDA - not a degree

Answer 3

I teach preschool in NJ, and have taught or subbed at 6 different daycare centers over the last 11 years.  I am still friends with the owner of my son's daycare.

Laws are changing in NJ, and while you do not need a degree to OWN a daycare, you do need a degree to RUN it, either as a director or head teacher.  Years ago, you could be a director/owner and your head teacher would be certified.  But now even directors must have a 4 year degree, although they do not have to be certified teachers, as head teachers do.  The owner of my son's daycare has owned and run her own business for 17 years, and had to start taking classes to get her degree a  couple of years ago.

This link has a list of all the regs you need to meet in order to open a daycare, including how to fill out an application.

http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/divisions/lic...

Edit: I checked the manual, the pertinent info is below, copied from pages 27-28 of the link I gave you (if your school is licensed for under 30 kids, the qualifications are not as stringent):

(b) The director shall meet the following qualification requirements:

EC 1. For early childhood programs licensed to serve more than 30 children, the director shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the options set forth in the chart below for education and experience:

OPTIONS FOR MEETING THE DIRECTOR QUALIFICATIONS

Option

Educational

and

Experience

Credentials

Requirements

A

Master's Degree in any field

(N/A)

related to children or business

B

Bachelor's Degree

One year of managerial or supervisory experience

2. For early childhood programs licensed to serve 30 or fewer children, the director shall meet the group teacher qualification requirements, as specified in (c)3 below.

SA 3. For school-age child care programs, the director shall meet the program supervisor qualification requirements, as specified in (d) below.

GEN 4. A director hired before March 21, 2005 who does not meet the qualification requirements specified in 1 through 3 above shall complete one of the following options by March 21, 2008:

i. The Directors Academy offered by the New Jersey Professional Development Center for Early Care and Education;

ii. The National Administrator Credential offered by the National Child Care Association; or

iii. At least 45 clock hours of staff development that includes all of the following subject areas:

(1) Planning and evaluation;

(2) Staff management and professional development;

(3) Educational programming and program development;

(4) Fiscal management;

(5) Legal issues;

(6) Facilities management;

(7) Family support and community resources;

(8) Marketing and public relations; and

(9) Leadership and advocacy.

10:122-4.6 Staff qualifications

28

EC (c) For early childhood programs, the following shall apply:

1. For all centers, the head teacher or consulting head teacher shall meet the qualification requirements specified in one of the six options set forth in the chart below for education and experience:

OPTIONS FOR MEETING THE HEAD TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS

Option

Educational

and

College credits and

Credentials

Experience

A

Master's Degree in Education

Six credits and one year

of experience

B

Master's Degree in any field

Nine credits and one year

other than Education

of experience

C

Bachelor's Degree in Education,

Six credits and two years

Psychology, Health Care, Nursing,

of experience

or any other field related to

Child Growth and Development; or

Teaching Certification from Department of Education in Elementary Education,

Nursery School, Preschool through Third Grade (P-3) or Teacher of the Handicapped

D

Bachelor's Degree in any field

other than those listed in Option C

Nine credits and three years

of experience

OR

Six credits and four years

of experience

E

Teaching Certification from

Nine credits and three years

Department of Education in a field

of experience

other than those listed in Option C

OR

Six credits and four years

of experience

F

Montessori education equivalent to

a Bachelor’s Degree

Two years of experience

G

Head Teacher endorsement from the New Jersey Registry for Childhood Professionals, New Jersey Professional Development Center for Early Care

and Education