Directors requirements
In Michigan, childcare centers are required to have a program director who meets certain qualifications and responsibilities. The program director is responsible for developing, implementing, and evaluating program and center policies, administering day-to-day operations, monitoring staff, including annual evaluations, and more. Keep reading to learn about specific requirements and how ChildCareEd is working to support Michigan caregivers in achieving their training requirements.
To become a program director in Michigan, a licensee or licensee designee must submit a completed BCHS-CC 001 form, titled Child Care Licensing Information Request, and the credentials of the proposed program director to the department for review and approval. The program director must be at least 21 years of age, have earned a high school diploma or GED, and meet one of the following qualifications:
- Early childhood program directors must have at least 18 semester hours and 480 hours in education coursework in #early-childhood-education or child development.
- School-age program directors must have at least 12 semester hours and 480 hours of education coursework in a child-related field.
- Montessori credential holders must have 18 semester hours and 480 hours.
- Associate's degree holders in early childhood education or child development must have at least 18 semester hours and 480 hours.
- Valid child development associate credential holders with at least 18 semester hours and 960 hours must meet the requirements of subrule (7) of this rule.
- Sixty semester hour holders with at least 1,920 hours must meet the requirements of subrule (7) of this rule.
- High school diploma or GED holders with at least 6 semester hours and 2,880 hours must meet the requirements of subrule (8) of this rule.
What happens when a director needs #extended-vacation time - more than 30 days?
If a program director leaves employment or has a temporary absence that exceeds 30 consecutive workdays until return or replacement, a substitute program director shall be appointed. A substitute program director must at least meet the qualifications of a #lead caregiver. The department shall be notified when a substitute program director is appointed.
What is a multi-site director, what are their requirements?
In addition to the program director, child care centers in Michigan may have a multi-site school-age program director who oversees up to 3 sites with the following conditions: each program routinely operates 6 hours or fewer per day, and the multi-site school-age program director is available to the site supervisor during all hours of program operation. The multi-site school-age program director must be at least 19 years of age, have earned a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, have 480 hours of experience working as a childcare staff member in a program serving school-age children, and have completed 15 clock hours, 1 semester hour, or 1.5 CEUs of documented school-age training.
Childcare centers in Michigan may also have a site supervisor who is present at each center during all hours of operation. The site supervisor must be at least 19 years of age, have earned a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent, have 480 hours of experience working as a childcare staff member in a program serving school-age children, and have completed 15 clock hours, 1 semester hour, or 1.5 CEUs of documented school-age training.
ChildCareEd offers the following trainings to support Michigan multi-site school-age program directors.
Lead teachers
Lead caregivers are required only for groups of children who are #preschool-age and younger. At least one lead caregiver must be assigned to each group of children in a self-contained or well-defined space and must be present and providing care in the assigned group in the following manner: full-time for programs operating less than 6 continuous hours, at least 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours. Lead caregivers must have both of the following qualifications: be at least 19 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED.
Lead caregivers may also have additional qualifications depending on the age group they are working with. For example, lead caregivers for infants and #toddlers must have 3 semester hours, 4.5 CEUs, or 45 hours of MiRegistry approved infant and toddler development and care practices within 6 months of hire.
ChildCareEd Online Lead Caregiver Trainings:
Requirements and expectations from all staff and volunteers
All staff and volunteers in Michigan child care centers must provide appropriate care and supervision of children at all times and act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children. All supervised volunteers must receive a public sex offender registry (PSOR) clearance before having any contact with a child in care. A written statement must be signed and dated by staff and volunteers at the time of hiring or before volunteering indicating all of the following information:
- They are aware that #abuse and #neglect of children is against the law
- They have been informed of the center's policies on child abuse and neglect
- and they know that all staff and volunteers are required by law to immediately report suspected abuse and neglect to children’s protective services.
Needs from child care centers
In addition to these qualifications and responsibilities, childcare centers in Michigan must also provide an orientation about the center's policies and practices and these administrative rules for all personnel hired after the effective date of these rules and before unsupervised contact with children. Childcare staff members must have training that includes information about prevention of sudden infant death syndrome and use of #safe- #sleep practices before caring for infants and toddlers. Before caring for children, all child care staff members and unsupervised volunteers who work directly with children must be trained on prevention and control of infectious disease, including immunizations.
All child care staff members who work directly with children must also complete 16 clock hours of professional development annually on topics relevant to job responsibilities that include, but are not limited to, any of the following subjects: child development and learning, #health, safety, and nutrition, family and community collaboration, program management, teaching and learning, observation and documentation, and interaction and guidance. A center may count CPR and first aid training for up to 2 hours of the annual professional development hours in the year taken. Staff may use hours from MiRegistry to meet the professional development requirements in subrule (6) of this rule.
Health and Safety Trainings available at ChildCareEd:
Overall, becoming a program director in Michigan requires at least 2 years of experience in a child care setting and meeting certain educational qualifications. The program director is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the center and ensuring that all staff are providing appropriate care and supervision of children.
Michigan childcare providers can use ChildCareEd courses toward earning their CDA Credential and CDA Renewal. Enroll now to advance your career opportunities and develop as a professional.
- Learn how the CDA Credential can help to meet job requirements and demonstrate your commitment to early childhood education,
- Click here to start your CDA training today!
Please contact your local child care licensing office to confirm all requirements as standards are subject to change: