California Early Learning Career Lattice (Career Lattice) – Educational Requirements The Career Lattice defines a progression of roles and the training and education necessary to demonstrate competence in a wide variety of positions in early learning. It identifies a common framework through which professionals can evaluate their progress towards their own career goals. The Career Lattice is a guide to help professionals in the early learning field to think about their career path and professional development. The Career Lattice does not change any of the existing regulations or licensing requirements for working in a child care center, infant/toddler program, preschool, family child care home, or TK-third grade teacher or early childhood program administrator. To learn more about the Career Lattice please read the California Early Learning Career Lattice Guide at . Understanding the Structure of the Career Lattice (please see Appendix, p. 9) California Early Learning Career Lattice – Educational Requirements Level A. Early Learning Caregiver/Teacher/K-3 Teacher Levels 1-4 do not have any subcategories. The space below includes important notes and considerations for each level. 1 8 hours of training in health & safety and/or child development. Example: On-boarding to lattice for family, friend and neighbor care providers Level 1 is a point of entry for people interested in working in the early learning field. At this level 8 hours of training on health and safety and/or child development is needed. This is a good starting point for people who have been providing informal care and are interested in pursuing a role in a family child care home or preschool. Local Resource and Referral agencies are a recommended starting point for finding training on health and safety or child development. 2 Current Family Child Care Licensing Requirements Example: family child care provider Level 2 is set at current licensing requirements for family child care providers. Currently this level requires 16 hours of health and safety training in addition to training on signs of child abuse. This is the minimum amount of training required for family child care homes. Visit the DSS Resources for Providers website at to learn more about family child care provider requirements and resources.
3 16 hours of health & safety training and mandated reporter training + 45 hours of training and/or Resource & Referral agency training) OR 3 semester (4.5 quarter) units of ECE/CD/HD Example: family child care provider Level 3 is a point where people should consider transitioning from training to college coursework. This level is a bridge from family child care entry requirements to meeting requirements for working as an aide in licensed preschool. The majority of people choose to attend child development classes at their local community college. Usually 3 semester units are earned through a single child development class. Some colleges and universities in California operate on a “Quarter” system and 3 semester units is equivalent to 4.5 quarter units. See the Career Lattice Guide for more information on taking courses. 4 6 units in ECE/CD (CD Permit Assistant Teacher) Example: Teacher aide Level 4 is equivalent to the first level (Assistant) of the California Child Development Permit. At this stage it is important to be taking the “Core” courses which include: child/human growth & development; child/family/community or child and family relations; and programs/curriculum. Completing these units provides a beginning foundation in child development and is required as one moves up the Career Lattice. Level A. Early Learning Caregiver/Teacher/K-3 Teacher B. Early Learning Administrator/School Administrator C. Early Learning Specialist/Innovator D. Early Learning Infrastructure Support
8 8A. ECE Content Baccalaureate degree in ECE/CD OR Baccalaureate degree in any discipline with 36 semester units of ECE/CD, including 18 semester units of upper division coursework. Examples: ECE Lead Teacher or Site Supervisor OR Multiple Subject Teaching Credential with 24 units ECE/CD Examples: K-12 or Transitional Kindergarten (TK) teacher OR Early Childhood Special Education Credential Examples: Infant/Toddler, preschool, TK or K teacher focused on children with special needs 8B. Administrator Program Director Permit OR Baccalaureate degree or higher with 15 units of management/administration/ supervision/leadership /policy including 6 administrative units, 2 adult supervision units and 24 units of ECE/CD including coursework related to serving infants and toddlers. OR Administrative Services Credential with 24 ECE/CD Examples: Title 5 program director or director mentor/coach 8C. ECE Support Baccalaureate degree in any field with 24 semester units in ECE/CD Example: Staff person working at a community agency (R&R, First 5, County Office of Education) supporting an early learning initiative, ECE coach, trainer, or technical assistance specialist. OR Pupil Personnel Services Credential Example: School psychologist 8D. Support Baccalaureate degree in any field Examples: Staff person working at an R&R, First 5, County Office of Education, or community/state agency providing administrative support to a quality improvement initiative Master’s Degree Level A. Early Learning Caregiver/Teacher/K-3 Teacher B. Early Learning Administrator/School Administrator C. Early Learning Specialist/Innovator D. Early Learning Infrastructure Support
9 9A. ECE Content Master’s degree in ECE/CD (CD Permit Program Director) OR Master’s degree in any discipline with 36 semester units of ECE/CD, including 18 semester units of graduate level coursework. Examples: ECE Lead Teacher or Site Supervisor 9B. Administrator Master’s Degree in any field plus a Program Director Permit OR Master’s degree in any field plus Administrative Service Credential OR Master’s degree or higher with 15 units of management/administration/ supervision/leadership /policy including 6 administrative units, 2 adult supervision units and 24 units of ECE/CD including coursework related to serving infants and toddlers. Examples: Program director of multiple sites (Title 5) , director mentor/coach, ECE trainer, CA Community College faculty 9C. ECE Support Master’s degree in any field with 24 semester units in ECE/CD Examples: Coordinator of a quality improvement initiative like QRIS, First 5 program officer, coach or technical assistance specialist. 9D. Support Master’s Degree in any field Examples: Program coordinator at a community agency, researcher, staff at an advocacy organization. Doctorate Level A. Early Learning Caregiver/Teacher/K-3 Teacher B. Early Learning Administrator/School Administrator C. Early Learning Specialist/Innovator D. Learning Infrastructure Support