8VAC20-781-120. Lead Teacher Qualifications

B. Lead teachers shall meet a director qualification indicated in 8VAC20-781-100 or one of the following education and experience requirements:

2. Six months of programmatic experience and:

a. A Virginia endorsement in a child-related field approved by the Department; or

b. 24 hours of training in the following topics: child development, behavior guidance, playground safety, and health and safety issues. This training shall be completed before being promoted or beginning work or within 60 days after being promoted or beginning work. Orientation training required by subsections B and C of 8VAC20-781-140 shall not be used to meet this qualification.

RESPONSE:

B. 2.b. Due to ongoing workforce challenges, we suggest reducing it to 12 hours instead of 24 hours.  Furthermore, the 12 hours would encompass the following:

4 hrs on child development specific to age group (cognitive, social, emotional, physical)

                2 hrs on behavior guidance

                2 hrs on health and safety

                2 hrs on center’s curriculum including CLASS orientation

                2 hrs on parent communication and assessment reports

                = 12 hrs total

Training on playground safety would be removed since all employees receive this when hired.