Qualifications for a child care center director
What is changing?
The requirements to become a child care center director will change under the revised standards. The new laws will require directors to be at least 21 years old (previously 18 was the minimum) and have at least 12 semester credits or 120 hours of training. The 12 semester credits must be in child development, supervision, management, administration or leadership.
Anyone holding the position of director on July 1, 2027, may continue to hold that position while at their current center. Current directors will not need to meet the new qualifications as long as they stay with their current center. Additionally, the new law will allow all directors to serve as teachers without meeting separate teacher qualifications.
Below is a summary of the current and future qualification requirements for child care center directors.
| | Current requirements | Starting July 1, 2027 |
| Minimum age | 18 | 21 |
| High school diploma or equivalency | Required | Required (no change) |
| Staff supervision experience | 1,040 hours, paid or unpaid | 1,040 hours, paid or unpaid (no change) |
| Coursework or training | 9 quarter credits (about 6 semester credits) or 90 hours in staff supervision, human relations, and child development | 12 semester credits or 120 hours in child development education, supervision, management, administration, or leadership |
| Director credential | Not addressed | In lieu of the staff supervision experience and coursework or training requirements, a director may hold a MnAEYC or Child Care Aware Minnesota director's credential, a Montessori administrator credential, or a diploma issued by the American Montessori Society, Association Montessori International, or an institution accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education. |
| Director working in a classroom | A director must also meet teacher qualifications. | A director may be used as a teacher in any classroom as needed without meeting any additional requirements. |
| Center must have a director | Not required | Required |
| Director or designee on site | Not required | Required while the center is in operation |
You can read the updated rules related to director qualifications on the state Revisor’s website. Later this year, the revised statute will be codified as MN Statutes, section 142H.05, subdivision 1.
Director or designee on site
What is changing?
The revised standards require a director (or their designee) to be on site during hours of operation.
The designee can be any program staff person who is at least 18 years old, and the person does not need to meet the director qualifications described above. The staff person serving as the designee may change from day to day, but the person must know they have been designated and be able to carry out the responsibilities of a director.
These responsibilities include overseeing the implementation of policies for managing the daily activities of the program, ensuring the health and safety of children at the center, and supervising staff and volunteers. The designee must also have access to personnel files and children’s files.
You can read the updated rules related to having a director or designee on site on the state Revisor’s website. Later this year, the revised statute will be codified as MN Statutes, section 142H.05, subdivision 2.
