1. A. To qualify or continue to qualify as a child care teacher in a preschool center, an individual shall:

   1. (1) Be 19 years old or older;
   2. (2) Have a high school diploma, a certificate of high school equivalence, or courses for credit from an accredited college or university;
   3. (3) Have successfully completed 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours or their equivalent of approved preservice training, or hold the Child Development Associate Credential issued by the Child Development Associate National Credentialing Program;
   4. (4) Have completed 3 clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act;
   5. (5) Effective January 1, 2020, have completed approved basic health and safety training within 90 days of employment;
   6. (6) Have 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or at least one academic college course for credit; and

   7. (7) Have at least:

      1. (a) 1 year of experience working under supervision primarily with preschoolers in a licensed child care center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting, or as a registered family child care provider caring for preschoolers; or
      2. (b) 1 year of college, or a combination of experience and college that together are equivalent to 1 year and meet one of the criteria set forth at §A(6) of this regulation.

2. B. An individual meets the requirements of §A(3) of this regulation if the individual:

   1. (1) Holds an associate’s or higher degree with approved courses in early childhood education;
   2. (2) Has been qualified before July 1, 2008, as a child care teacher in a preschool center and has been continuously employed since that time at the same or another preschool center;
   3. (3) Has been approved as a teacher by the Department for early childhood in nursery school through third grade; or
   4. (4) Is certified by the Department or by any other state for early childhood in nursery school through third grade.

3. C. A child care teacher in a preschool center shall:

   1. (1) According to the individual’s professional development plan, complete approved continued training, at the rate of at least 12 clock hours per full year of employment as a child care teacher, that consists of a:

      1. (a) Minimum of 6 clock hours of core of knowledge training; and
      2. (b) Maximum of 6 clock hours of elective training;
   2. (2) Document completion of the continued training on the professional development plan; and
   3. (3) Document that the health and safety training, as required by the office, is completed by each staff member by the end of each 12-month period, measured each calendar year.

4. D. A child care teacher wishing to supervise a group of infants or toddlers shall:

   1. (1) Unless qualified by the office before July 1, 2008, to supervise a group of infants or toddlers:

      1. (a) Meet the requirements of §A of this regulation and have completed 3 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related to the care of infants and toddlers; or
      2. (b) Meet the requirements of §A(1), (2), and (4)—(7) of this regulation and have completed 6 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related exclusively to the care of infants and toddlers; and
   2. (2) Have completed approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices.

Authority: Education Article, §§9.5-401, 9.5-404—9.5-411, and 9.5-413—9.5-418; Family Law Article, §§5-550—5-558; General Provisions Article, §4-333; Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);
Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);
Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)

Effective date: October 20, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1826)

Regulation .02K adopted effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .03A, B amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14); April 18, 2022 (49:7 Md. R. 500)

Regulation .03B amended effective April 14, 2014 (41:7 Md. R. 423)

Regulation .04 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .05B amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .05B, C amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .06A amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883); January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .08C amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .09 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 618)

Regulation .09A, C amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .09-1 adopted effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 977)

Regulation .10 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .10B amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .10-1 adopted effective November 13, 2023 (50:22 Md. R. 977)

Regulation .11A amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .11A, C amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .12 amended effective January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 14)

Regulation .12B amended effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .13E adopted effective July 20, 2015 (42:14 Md. R. 883)

Regulation .15 amended effective March 21, 2011 (38:6 Md. R. 396)