To work at a daycare, you generally need to be at least 18 with a high school diploma or GED, complete health and safety training including pediatric CPR and first aid, pass a five-part criminal background check, clear a health screening with a TB test, and present identity and credential documents to your employer. The specific daycare worker requirements vary by state and by whether you are applying as an assistant or a lead teacher, but the categories below apply almost everywhere.
Age and Education You Need to Start
Most states set the minimum age at 18. A few allow assistants as young as 16 under direct supervision, and lead roles can carry a higher minimum. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical entry-level education for childcare workers.1U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Childcare Workers – Occupational Outlook Handbook For an aide or assistant position, a diploma or GED is generally enough to get in the door.
Lead teacher roles usually ask for more. The most common credential is the Child Development Associate (CDA), which requires 120 clock hours of professional education across eight subject areas and 480 hours of hands-on work experience with children.2CDA Council. CDA Credentialing Program FAQs Some centers want an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education for curriculum directors or program supervisors.
If you do not yet have a CDA or degree, many employers will hire you as an assistant while you work toward one. Some states accept documented years of experience in a licensed facility in place of coursework. If you earned your degree outside the United States, you will likely need a credential evaluation from a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE). These evaluations cost money and can take several weeks.
Training and Certifications Before Your First Day
Federal regulations under 45 CFR 98.41 require childcare programs to train staff in a specific list of health and safety topics:3eCFR. 45 CFR 98.41 – Health and Safety Requirements
- Pediatric first aid and CPR, including choking relief and rescue breathing
- Prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunization awareness and handwashing
- Safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS for anyone caring for infants 12 months or younger
- Safe handling and administration of medication
- Emergency preparedness for evacuations, natural disasters, and lockdowns
- Recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
- Prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma
- Food allergies and allergic reactions
- Building and physical premises safety
- Transportation safety, including proper use of child safety restraints
These are federal minimums for programs receiving Child Care and Development Fund assistance, and most states adopt the same list, or expand it, for all licensed childcare programs. Your CPR and first aid certification usually has to come from a recognized provider like the American Red Cross or the American Heart Association, and most states require renewal every two years.
Mandated reporter training deserves its own mention. As a daycare employee you are legally required to report suspected child abuse or neglect, and most states require you to complete this training before you start working with children. Many require an annual refresher. If you will prepare or serve meals, you may also need a food handler’s permit, depending on your state and local health department.
The Background Check and What Disqualifies You
Federal law requires every staff member in a licensed childcare program to pass a comprehensive background check. Under 42 U.S.C. 9858f, the screening has five components:4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 9858f – Criminal Background Checks
- A fingerprint-based state criminal registry search in the state where you live and every state where you have lived in the past five years
- A state child abuse and neglect registry search
- A National Crime Information Center (NCIC) search
- An FBI fingerprint check through the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System
- A National Sex Offender Registry search
Programs are expected to finish all five within 45 days of hire.5Child Care Technical Assistance Network. 1.2.0.2 Background Screening – CFOC Basics
Under 45 CFR 98.43, specific convictions make you permanently ineligible for childcare work in federally funded programs. The disqualifying felonies are murder, child abuse or neglect, crimes against children including child pornography, spousal abuse, rape or sexual assault, kidnapping, arson, and physical assault or battery. A drug-related felony disqualifies you only if it occurred within the preceding five years. Certain violent misdemeanors committed as an adult against a child, including child abuse, child endangerment, and sexual assault, also permanently bar you from employment, as does any misdemeanor involving child pornography.6eCFR. 45 CFR 98.43 – Criminal Background Checks Being on, or required to register on, any sex offender registry is an automatic bar.4Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 9858f – Criminal Background Checks
Starting Work Before Every Check Clears
You do not always have to wait for every component to come back. Under the CCDF Final Rule, you can begin caring for children once qualifying results arrive from either the FBI fingerprint check or the in-state fingerprint check, along with a sex offender registry check.7Childcare.gov. Staff Background Checks Until all five components are complete, you must be supervised at all times by someone who has passed a full background check within the past five years, and you cannot be left alone with children.8Child Care Technical Assistance Network. Provisional Hire of Prospective Staff Members The remaining components must be completed within 90 days.
Health Screening
Most states require a medical clearance before you can start. The standard pieces are:
- A tuberculosis screening, either a skin test or a blood draw. Some states accept a risk-assessment questionnaire for low-risk individuals.
- A physical exam with a physician’s statement confirming you can perform childcare duties, including lifting, bending, and responding quickly in emergencies.
- Immunization records. Many states require proof of measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) and tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis (Tdap). Some also require an annual flu vaccine.
You will generally need to update these records every year or on your state’s schedule. Expect to pay out of pocket for the TB test and any immunizations your insurance does not cover. Letting your health documentation lapse can disqualify you from continued employment.
Documents to Bring When You Apply
Every U.S. employer must verify your identity and work authorization through Form I-9. Acceptable documents include a U.S. passport (which covers both identity and work authorization) or a combination such as a state driver’s license plus a Social Security card or other employment authorization document.9eCFR. 8 CFR 274a.2 – Verification of Identity and Employment Authorization
Beyond I-9 documents, daycare employers typically ask for:
- Official transcripts from your high school, college, or CDA training program, requested directly from the institution
- Copies of your CPR, first aid, mandated reporter, food handler, and any other safety certifications
- Immunization records and TB test results from your healthcare provider or state immunization registry
- State-specific background check and fingerprinting consent forms
- Any state-mandated disclosure forms covering prior criminal history
Pulling these together before you apply prevents delays. Incomplete paperwork is one of the most common reasons hiring stalls in childcare. Most state licensing agencies publish their required forms online, so check your state’s childcare licensing website before your first round of applications.
Training That Continues After You’re Hired
Hiring is not the end of your training obligations. States require childcare workers to complete continuing education every year, usually between 10 and 30 hours, covering topics like child development, health and safety, and cultural competency. Federal law requires that programs receiving CCDF funding keep providing ongoing training in the same health and safety topics listed earlier.10Childcare.gov. Staff Qualifications and Required Training
Many states run professional development registries that track your training hours, credentials, and career progression. Employers, licensing agencies, and credentialing bodies can pull your records from them, which simplifies verification when you change jobs or renew a credential. If your state has one, plan to create an account early. A CDA, once earned, must be renewed every three years with additional professional education hours; letting it lapse can push you out of a lead teacher role until you reinstate it.