Virginia Standards For Job Qualifications and Responsibilities
STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING
22 VAC 40-185-180. General qualifications.
A. No staff shall be guilty of an offense, as defined in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of
Virginia.
B. Staff shall be:
1. Of good character and reputation;
2. Capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities;
3. Capable of accepting training and supervision; and
4. Capable of communicating effectively both orally and in writing as applicable to
the job responsibility.
C. Staff who work directly with children shall be capable of communicating with
emergency personnel.
D. Staff who drive a vehicle transporting children shall disclose any moving traffic
violation that occurred five years prior to or during employment or assignment as a
driver.
E. For therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day programs, staff who
work with children shall have knowledge of the groups being served and skills
specific to the special needs of the children in care including, but not limited to,
functional abilities, accommodations, assessment techniques, behavior
management, and medical and health concerns.
22 VAC 40-185-190. Program director qualifications.
A. Program directors shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the
following:
1. A graduate degree in a child-related field such as, but not limited to, elementary
education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of
programmatic experience;
2.An endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as, but not
limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or
university and one year of programmatic experience;
3. Forty-eight semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit from a college or
university of which 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours are in child-related
subjects and one year of programmatic experience;
4. Two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory
capacity and at least one of the following education backgrounds:
a. A one-year early childhood certificate from a college or university that
consists of at least 30 semester hours;
b. A child development credential that requires:
(1) High school program completion or the equivalent;
(2) 480 hours working with children in a group which could include
a supervised practicum; and
(3) Determination of competency in promoting children's
development, providing a safe and healthy environment,
managing the classroom environment and/or childhood
program, and promoting positive and productive relationships
with parents/guardians; and
(4) At least 120 clock hours of child-related training taught by an
individual or by an organization with expertise in early childhood
teacher preparation provided that the training facilitator:
(a) Documents the student's mastery and competence;
(b) Observes the student's application of competence in a
classroom setting;
(c) Has a combination of at least six years of education
(leading to a degree or credential in a child-related field)
or programmatic experience; and
(d) Has at least 12 semester hours or 180 clock hours in a
child related field, a child development credential or
equivalent, and two years of programmatic experience
with one year in a staff supervisory capacity; or a certification of qualification from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization; or
5. Three years of programmatic experience including one year in a staff supervisory
capacity and fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent.
a. Such programmatic experience shall be obtained in a child day center that offers a staff training program that includes: written goals and objectives;
assessment of the employee's participation in the training; and the subject
areas of first aid, human growth and development, health and safety
issues and behavioral management of children.
b. Such employees shall complete 120 hours of training during this three-
year period and provide documentation of completing the training.
c. Effective June 1, 2008, program directors shall meet a qualification as
stated in subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection.
6. Exception (a): Program directors hired before June 1, 2005, who do not meet the qualifications may continue to be program directors as long as the program
director: (i) obtains each year three semester hours or six quarter hours of
college credit related to children until meeting a qualification option or (ii) is
enrolled in and regularly works toward a child development credential as
specified in subdivision 4 b of this subsection, which credential must be awarded
by June 1, 2009.
Exception (b): Program directors hired or promoted on or after June 1, 2005, until
June 1, 2006, who do not meet the qualifications may continue to be program
directors as long as the program director: (i) obtains each year six semester
hours or nine quarter hours of college credit related to children until meeting a
qualification option or (ii) is enrolled in and regularly works toward a child
development credential as specified in subdivision 4 b of this subsection, which
credential must be awarded no later than June 1, 2007.
B. Program directors without management experience shall have one college course in
a business-related field, 10 clock hours of management training, or one child care
management course that satisfactorily covers the management functions of:
1. Planning;
2. Budgeting;
3. Staffing; and
4. Monitoring.
*Note: Management experience is defined as at least six months of on-the-job training
in an administrative position that requires supervising, orienting, training, and
scheduling staff.
C. For program directors of therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day
programs, education and programmatic experience shall be in the group care of
children with special needs.
D. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person between 19 and 21 years of
age may serve as a program director at a short-term program serving only school
age children if the program director has daily supervisory contact by a person at
least 21 years of age who meets one of the program director qualification options.
22 VAC 40-185-200. Program directors and back-up for program directors.
A. The center shall have a qualified program director or a qualified back-up progra
m director who meets one of the director qualifications who shall regularly be on site at
least 50% of the center's hours of operation.
B. For centers offering multiple shifts, a qualified program director or qualified back-
up director shall regularly be on site at least 50% of the day shift and at least two hours
during the evening shift and two hours during the night shift.
C. For centers employing one or more program leaders who are qualified under
subsection C of 22VAC40-185-210 but not under subsection A of that section, the
qualified program director or qualified back-up program director shall be on site at
least 75% of the center's hours of operation.
22VAC40-185-210. Program leader qualifications.
A. Program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school
program completion or the equivalent, and meet one of the following:
1. Have one of the program director qualifications in 22VAC40-185-190;
2. Have an endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as, but
not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation, from a college or
university;
3. Have three months of programmatic experience and at least one of the following
education backgrounds:
a. A one year early childhood certificate from a college or university that
consists of at least 30 semester hours;
b. A child development credential by an organization listed in § 63.2-1738 of the Code of Virginia;
c. A teaching diploma from an internationally or nationally recognized
Montessori organization; or
4. Have six months of supervised programmatic experience.
a. Within six months before being promoted or beginning work or one month after being promoted or beginning work, a minimum of 12 hours of training
shall be received related to the care of children, including but not limited
to:
(1) Child development;
(2) Playground safety;
(3) Health and safety issues; and
(4) Preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
b. Such training may take place on site while not supervising children. Such training hours shall increase according to the following:
(1) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2001 –16 hours
(2) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2007 –20 hours
(3) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2008 –24 hours
B. For program leaders of therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day
programs, at least three months of programmatic experience shall be in the group
care of children with special needs.
C. Notwithstanding the experience requirements in subsection A of this section,
program leaders at short-term programs may have only one season of programmatic
experience, provided that this experience shall include at least 200 hours, of which
up to 24 hours can be formal training, working directly with children in a group.
22VAC40-185-220. Aides.
Aides shall be at least 16 years of age.
22 VAC 40-185-230. Independent contractors; volunteers
.
A. Individuals from independent contractors shall not be counted in the staff-
to-children
ratios unless they meet the qualifications for the applicable position.
B. Individuals from independent contractors who do not meet staff qualifications shall,
when in the presence of children, be within sight and sound supervision of a staff
member.
C. Volunteers who work with children shall be at least 13 years of age.
22 VAC 40-185-180. General qualifications.
A. No staff shall be guilty of an offense, as defined in § 63.2-1719 of the Code of
Virginia.
B. Staff shall be:
1. Of good character and reputation;
2. Capable of carrying out assigned responsibilities;
3. Capable of accepting training and supervision; and
4. Capable of communicating effectively both orally and in writing as applicable to
the job responsibility.
C. Staff who work directly with children shall be capable of communicating with
emergency personnel.
D. Staff who drive a vehicle transporting children shall disclose any moving traffic
violation that occurred five years prior to or during employment or assignment as a
driver.
E. For therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day programs, staff who
work with children shall have knowledge of the groups being served and skills
specific to the special needs of the children in care including, but not limited to,
functional abilities, accommodations, assessment techniques, behavior
management, and medical and health concerns.
22 VAC 40-185-190. Program director qualifications.
A. Program directors shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the
following:
1. A graduate degree in a child-related field such as, but not limited to, elementary
education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of
programmatic experience;
2.An endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as, but not
limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or
university and one year of programmatic experience;
3. Forty-eight semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit from a college or
university of which 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours are in child-related
subjects and one year of programmatic experience;
4. Two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory
capacity and at least one of the following education backgrounds:
a. A one-year early childhood certificate from a college or university that
consists of at least 30 semester hours;
b. A child development credential that requires:
(1) High school program completion or the equivalent;
(2) 480 hours working with children in a group which could include
a supervised practicum; and
(3) Determination of competency in promoting children's
development, providing a safe and healthy environment,
managing the classroom environment and/or childhood
program, and promoting positive and productive relationships
with parents/guardians; and
(4) At least 120 clock hours of child-related training taught by an
individual or by an organization with expertise in early childhood
teacher preparation provided that the training facilitator:
(a) Documents the student's mastery and competence;
(b) Observes the student's application of competence in a
classroom setting;
(c) Has a combination of at least six years of education
(leading to a degree or credential in a child-related field)
or programmatic experience; and
(d) Has at least 12 semester hours or 180 clock hours in a
child related field, a child development credential or
equivalent, and two years of programmatic experience
with one year in a staff supervisory capacity; or a certification of qualification from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization; or
5. Three years of programmatic experience including one year in a staff supervisory
capacity and fulfilled a high school program completion or the equivalent.
a. Such programmatic experience shall be obtained in a child day center that offers a staff training program that includes: written goals and objectives;
assessment of the employee's participation in the training; and the subject
areas of first aid, human growth and development, health and safety
issues and behavioral management of children.
b. Such employees shall complete 120 hours of training during this three-
year period and provide documentation of completing the training.
c. Effective June 1, 2008, program directors shall meet a qualification as
stated in subdivisions 1 through 4 of this subsection.
6. Exception (a): Program directors hired before June 1, 2005, who do not meet the qualifications may continue to be program directors as long as the program
director: (i) obtains each year three semester hours or six quarter hours of
college credit related to children until meeting a qualification option or (ii) is
enrolled in and regularly works toward a child development credential as
specified in subdivision 4 b of this subsection, which credential must be awarded
by June 1, 2009.
Exception (b): Program directors hired or promoted on or after June 1, 2005, until
June 1, 2006, who do not meet the qualifications may continue to be program
directors as long as the program director: (i) obtains each year six semester
hours or nine quarter hours of college credit related to children until meeting a
qualification option or (ii) is enrolled in and regularly works toward a child
development credential as specified in subdivision 4 b of this subsection, which
credential must be awarded no later than June 1, 2007.
B. Program directors without management experience shall have one college course in
a business-related field, 10 clock hours of management training, or one child care
management course that satisfactorily covers the management functions of:
1. Planning;
2. Budgeting;
3. Staffing; and
4. Monitoring.
*Note: Management experience is defined as at least six months of on-the-job training
in an administrative position that requires supervising, orienting, training, and
scheduling staff.
C. For program directors of therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day
programs, education and programmatic experience shall be in the group care of
children with special needs.
D. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person between 19 and 21 years of
age may serve as a program director at a short-term program serving only school
age children if the program director has daily supervisory contact by a person at
least 21 years of age who meets one of the program director qualification options.
22 VAC 40-185-200. Program directors and back-up for program directors.
A. The center shall have a qualified program director or a qualified back-up progra
m director who meets one of the director qualifications who shall regularly be on site at
least 50% of the center's hours of operation.
B. For centers offering multiple shifts, a qualified program director or qualified back-
up director shall regularly be on site at least 50% of the day shift and at least two hours
during the evening shift and two hours during the night shift.
C. For centers employing one or more program leaders who are qualified under
subsection C of 22VAC40-185-210 but not under subsection A of that section, the
qualified program director or qualified back-up program director shall be on site at
least 75% of the center's hours of operation.
22VAC40-185-210. Program leader qualifications.
A. Program leaders shall be at least 18 years of age, have fulfilled a high school
program completion or the equivalent, and meet one of the following:
1. Have one of the program director qualifications in 22VAC40-185-190;
2. Have an endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as, but
not limited to, elementary education, nursing, or recreation, from a college or
university;
3. Have three months of programmatic experience and at least one of the following
education backgrounds:
a. A one year early childhood certificate from a college or university that
consists of at least 30 semester hours;
b. A child development credential by an organization listed in § 63.2-1738 of the Code of Virginia;
c. A teaching diploma from an internationally or nationally recognized
Montessori organization; or
4. Have six months of supervised programmatic experience.
a. Within six months before being promoted or beginning work or one month after being promoted or beginning work, a minimum of 12 hours of training
shall be received related to the care of children, including but not limited
to:
(1) Child development;
(2) Playground safety;
(3) Health and safety issues; and
(4) Preventing and reporting child abuse and neglect.
b. Such training may take place on site while not supervising children. Such training hours shall increase according to the following:
(1) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2001 –16 hours
(2) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2007 –20 hours
(3) Program leaders hired or promoted after June 1, 2008 –24 hours
B. For program leaders of therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day
programs, at least three months of programmatic experience shall be in the group
care of children with special needs.
C. Notwithstanding the experience requirements in subsection A of this section,
program leaders at short-term programs may have only one season of programmatic
experience, provided that this experience shall include at least 200 hours, of which
up to 24 hours can be formal training, working directly with children in a group.
22VAC40-185-220. Aides.
Aides shall be at least 16 years of age.
22 VAC 40-185-230. Independent contractors; volunteers
.
A. Individuals from independent contractors shall not be counted in the staff-
to-children
ratios unless they meet the qualifications for the applicable position.
B. Individuals from independent contractors who do not meet staff qualifications shall,
when in the presence of children, be within sight and sound supervision of a staff
member.
C. Volunteers who work with children shall be at least 13 years of age.