Requirements for the Credential

At each level of the CDC, applicants must document their knowledge and ability in the eight core areas by:

1. Meeting minimum educational requirements of 12 credits in Early Childhood or After School (School-Age/Youth) Education including Child/Youth Development;
2. Providing confirmation of required supervisory/administrative experience in an early care or after school setting; and
3. Presenting evidence of knowledge of administrative and leadership practice in the form of course credit, completion of approved training programs, completion of a prior learning portfolio, or any combination of these methods, in the five areas of competency listed below:

Competency 1. Initial comprehensive course in administration and supervision, required for all levels of the Credential. To meet this requirement, applicants may choose one of two options:

• The 45-hour (one week) Program Administrators Course offered through Connecticut Charts-A-Course (CCAC). This can be taken for 3 undergraduate credits.
• A 3-credit comprehensive introductory course in administration and supervision that covers all of the core areas of knowldedge listed above. Charter Oak State College, as welle as a number of other colleges and universities, including the community colleges in Connecticut, offer this course.

Competency 2. Personnel management and staff development. Examples of courses in this area are organizational behavior; human resource management; personnel management and human behavior.

Competency 3. Budget/fiscal management. Examples of courses in this area are accounting; small business management; small business accounting; or non-profit accounting.

Competency 4. Leadership skills. Examples of courses in this area are courses on leadership practices; leading teams; team building; interpersonal communication; leadership and group process.

Competency 5. Community and family (an introductory course on the family will not be acceptable). Child, family and school relations; family school partnerships; public policy and family; any course on the child and the family which emphasized the relationship between child, family, and the teacher/school.

To download the complete CDC Brochure click here