Requirements to Become a Preschool Teacher Assistant in California
A preschool teacher assistant is responsible for carrying out certain activities that support the early childhood teacher. This article focuses on becoming a preschool teacher's assistant in California.
How to Be a Preschool Teacher Assistant in California
Persons who are interested in becoming assistants to preschool teachers in California are able to obtain a Child Development Assistant Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CTC). This permit allows the qualified person to care for and assist in the instruction of children under the supervision of a teacher at a higher level. The general requirements for the assistant permit are summarized in the table below.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td> High School Diploma <b>and</b> <br/>Six units of coursework or an approved occupational program</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exam Requirements </td><td> None</td></tr>
<tr><td>Certification Renewal Period </td><td>Five years</td></tr>
<tr><td>Requirements for Renewal </td><td> 105 hours of professional growth</td></tr>
<tr><td>Mean Salary (2018) </td><td> $35,350 (teacher's assistants in CA)*</td></tr>
<tr><td>Estimated Job Growth (2016-2026) </td><td>8% (teacher's assistants nationally)*</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Sources: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---GeneralRequirementsForTheChildDevelopmentAssistantPermit">General Requirements for the Child Development Assistant Permit</h3><p>There are two options through which interested candidates can satisfy the requirements for the Child Development Assistant Permit. They can either complete at least six semester units in early childhood education or child development coursework, or they can complete an approved Home Economics and Related Occupations (HERO) or Regional Occupation Program (ROP) in Child Development Related Occupations.
</p><p>There is a school-age emphasis in the first option, which requires that at least three of the six semester hours must be in school-age coursework. School-age coursework is defined as work that covers the academic and developmental needs of children from birth to the age of fourteen.
</p><h3 id="section---BackgroundClearanceAndFingerprintCards">Background Clearance and Fingerprint Cards</h3><p>Any individual interested in participating in the care or instruction of children must undergo and pass a background check. This requires the submission of a valid fingerprint card that verifies the individual's fingerprints have been taken and scanned. The background check is carried out by the California Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
</p><p>California residents must complete the LiveScan option that involves initiating the process via the CTC website and then scheduling an appointment at an appropriate center. Persons residing outside of California must request a fingerprint card from the CTC to be delivered to their physical address. The completed card along with the application fee must then be submitted to the California Department of Justice.
</p><h3 id="section---ApplicationProcess">Application Process</h3><p>It is possible to complete the application process online via the CTC website. The relevant completed application form and the documents verifying the completed coursework can be submitted via the online portal. The non-refundable application fee can also be submitted through this portal but there is an additional US$2.50. Otherwise, physical forms can be submitted to the CTC along with a check for the application fee.
</p><h3 id="section---PermitRenewal">Permit Renewal</h3><p>The Child Development Assistant Permit is valid for five years and can be renewed if the candidate has completed at least 105 hours of professional growth activities. Examples of accepted professional growth activities include the completion of college or university courses, attendance at workshops or conferences, and conducting educational research. All professional growth activities must directly contribute to the permit holder's growth in their capacity as an assistant or teacher.
</p><p>The holder of this permit can also upgrade to the next level of Child Development if they have satisfied the requirements to do so. For example, the next level permit is the Child Development Associate Teacher Permit. The requirements for this permit are the completion of 12 semester hours of coursework and 50 work experience hours.</p>