(a) There shall be a director, assistant director, or site supervisor who shall be responsible for:

1. (1) Administering, planning, managing, and controlling the daily activities of the center;
2. (2) Ensuring that the facility meets licensing requirements;
3. (3) Ensuring the health and safety of children; and
4. (4) Providing prudent supervision of all staff and volunteers.

(b) Directors shall be twenty-one (21) years of age or older and provide documentation of one (1) of the following educational levels:

1. (1)

   1. (A) Bachelor’s degree or higher degree in early childhood, child development, or a related field from a regionally accredited college or university.
   2. (B) Determination of “related field” shall be made by the Office of Early Childhood;

2. (2) Bachelor’s degree in a nonrelated field from a regionally accredited college or university plus one (1) of the following:

   1. (A) Four (4) years of experience in early childhood education;
   2. (B) Child development associate credential; or
   3. (C) Birth – preK credential;
3. (3) Associate degree in early childhood, child development, or a related field, plus six (6) years of experience in early childhood education; or

4. (4) Eight (8) years of experience in early childhood education and completion of one (1) of the following, within two (2) years of employment:

   1. (A) Child development associate credential;
   2. (B) Birth – preK credential;
   3. (C) Director’s credential or the equivalent; or
   4. (D) Technical certificate in early childhood education.

(d)

1. (1) When the director and assistant director or site supervisor are both away from the center, there shall be a person in charge who shall have the ability and authority to carry out daily operations.
2. (2) The person in charge shall be twenty-one (21) years of age or older.

(e)

1. (1) All new directors and assistant directors or site supervisors shall attend new directors’ orientation, Program Administration Scale (PAS) and Environment Rating Scale (ERS) training, or other approved tools that are considered equivalent, in the state’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) within six (6) months of employment.
2. (2) This is an orientation class sponsored by the office.
3. (3) Proof of attendance shall be maintained in the director’s file.

(f)

1. (1) Directors and assistant directors or site supervisors shall obtain fifteen (15) clock hours in early childhood education each year.

2. (2) Training shall be:

   1. (A) Registered with the Office of Early Childhood’s professional development registry;
   2. (B) Department of Education-approved; or
   3. (C) Department of Higher Education-approved.
3. (3) Documentation of training shall be maintained and available for review.

(g)

1. (1) Topics appropriate for continuing early childhood education shall include, but are not limited to the following:

   1. (A) Child growth and development;
   2. (B) Nutrition and food service;
   3. (C) Parent communication and involvement;
   4. (D) Curriculum development and implementation;
   5. (E) Developmentally appropriate practice and learning environments;
   6. (F) Behavior guidance and positive interaction;
   7. (G) Emergency care and first aid; and
   8. (H) Program planning, management, and leadership of early childhood programs.
2. (2) See the office website for a list of courses for which the office maintains contracts to meet the above requirements.