Daycare Teacher Certification in Louisiana
Would you like to become a daycare teacher for young children in Louisiana? Check out how to become a certified preschool teacher, including the educational requirements and what kind of exams you will need to pass before you earn your certification.
Information for Daycare Teacher Certification in Louisiana
Daycare teachers, sometimes known as preschool teachers, work with young children who have not yet started school. The requirements to work as a daycare teacher in Louisiana differ depending on where you plan to work. If you wish to work as a preschool teacher in a public school, you'll need to complete a proper teacher education program and pass a few Praxis exams. Daycare teachers working in preschools or daycare facilities, however, only need a certificate from the Louisiana Department of Education.
<table border="1"><tr><td>Education/Experience Required</td><td>Minimum of high school diploma and child development associate certificate; bachelor's degree for those working in public schools</td></tr>
<tr><td>Exams Required</td><td>None for daycare teachers; preschool teachers need the following: Praxis Core Academic Skills for Educators: Reading, Mathematics, and Writing; Praxis Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood; Praxis Content Exams in early childhood</td></tr>
<tr><td>License Validity</td><td>Three years for daycare teachers; Five years for public school preschool teachers</td></tr>
<tr><td>Average Salary (2018)*</td><td>$32,290 for preschool teachers in Louisiana</td></tr>
<tr><td>Job Growth (2016-2026)*</td><td>10% for preschool teachers nationwide</td></tr>
</table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---JobDescription">Job Description</h3><p>Daycare teachers supervise and work with groups of children to focus on child development. You'll help instruct them in the most basic of skills that include colors and letters. Your lesson plans will ensure that they have equal amounts of rest and activity time. If you see any signs of behavioral issues, you'll discuss them with parents. You can expect to help children bond with each other and teach them how to socialize with others from different backgrounds and cultures.
</p><h3 id="section---JobRequirementsForDaycareTeachers">Job Requirements for Daycare Teachers</h3><p>To work in a daycare setting as a certified teacher, you'll need to earn an Early Childhood Ancillary Certificate (ECAC). You'll need to meet one of the following education/experience requirements for this credential:
</p><ul><li>Have a high school diploma and a Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate
</li><li>Have a technical diploma or certificate in a early childhood field
</li><li>Have an associate degree or bachelor's degree (or higher) in early childhood education
</li></ul><p>If you meet one of these requirements, you can apply for the credential and submit your transcripts online. Once it has been approved, you'll be able to work as a lead teacher in a daycare or early learning center.
</p><h3 id="section---RenewingYourECACCredential">Renewing Your ECAC Credential</h3><p>The ECAC credential must be renewed every three years, and this can be done online. To renew your certificate, you'll either need to submit proof of a renewed CDA credential or submit an employer's recommendation. Along with the recommendation, applicants will need to show that they have completed a minimum of 80 hours of work experience with young children, 45 hours of training in early childhood, or 4.5 Continuing Education Units.
</p><h3 id="section---JobRequirementsForPreschoolTeachers">Job Requirements for Preschool Teachers</h3><p>If you want to work in as a preschool teacher in a public school, you will need to meet different education requirements, including completing a bachelor's degree program in early childhood education. Preschool teachers also will need to pass several Praxis exams that cover preschool ages:
</p><ul><li>Core Academic Skills for Educators in Reading, Writing and Math
</li><li>Principles of Learning and Teaching: Early Childhood
</li><li>One of the following: Early Childhood Education, Education of Young Children, or Pre-Kindergarten Education
</li></ul><h3 id="section---TeacherCertificationRenewalRequirements">Teacher Certification/Renewal Requirements</h3><p>You'll earn your certification as a public school teacher once you complete your educational program and pass all relevant exams. This ensures that you will stay certified for an initial five-year period, provided you stay on as a full-time teacher. Once this time is over, you can submit a request for an extension through your employing school district. You'll be granted an additional three years, unless you take time off that equals 90 days or a full semester. In that case, you'll have to attend a local college or university to earn six credits in continuing education to earn back your certification.</p>