Child & Youth Care Credential

Entry Level

• Are engaged in basic training in childcare and youth work,  

• Are focused on learning fundamental practice skills,  

• Work under the supervision of others with more advanced credentials,  

• Have a minimum of one (1) year (2000 hours) experience working with children, youth, and families, 

• Are employed in a variety of settings including early care and education, after school, education, mental health, group living, shelters, disabilities programs, juvenile justice, recreation, transitional living, and community youth serving organizations. 

Associate Level

Obtaining this credential level will support your advancement into administrative roles at licensed child care facilities.

• Demonstrate the ability to apply core knowledge, concepts, ideas, and skills in at least one practice setting,

•  Demonstrate some knowledge and skills in each of the 5 core competency domains,

• Require moderate supervision by practitioners with higher certification/education levels who provide consultation, direction, and guidance, 

• Demonstrate the ability to collect information, evaluate its relevance, and make appropriate use of the information to guide practice and grow as professionals, 

• Demonstrate insight in reflecting on personal knowledge, skills, and abilities to create plans for on-going self-development,

• Utilize guidance and feedback from practitioners with higher certification levels to enhance personal competence.

Professional Level

Obtaining this credential level will support your advancement into administrative roles at licensed child care facilities.

• Demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills needed for competent practice. Practitioners often have work experience in multiple practice settings in a variety of direct care, supervisory, programmatic, and administrative capacities, 

• Graduate from baccalaureate, master's, or doctoral degree programs based on the five competency domains. Graduates who take a test upon completion of the degree program may qualify for Provisional Certification,

•  Provide supervision to relatively large groups of staff or serve as a program developer, administrator, senior supervisor, researcher, trainer or educator,

• Have a minimum of five (5) years' experience working with children, youth & families (less with higher educational attainment),

• Are employed in a variety of settings including early care and education, after school, mental health, education, group living, emergency shelters, disabilities programs, juvenile justice, recreation, transitional living and community youth serving organizations.