To work at a daycare, you generally need to be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a federal and state criminal background check, clear a health screening, and carry current pediatric CPR and first aid certifications. The full requirements to work at a daycare are set partly by federal law and partly by your state’s licensing agency, so the specifics shift depending on where you live and the role you want. What follows is the core that applies almost everywhere.
Age and Work Authorization
Lead teachers in licensed daycare facilities must usually be at least 18. Some states let 16- and 17-year-olds work as aides or assistants, but only under the direct supervision of a qualified lead teacher. Your state’s childcare licensing rules set the exact cutoff.
Like any other job, daycare work requires authorization to work in the United States. Your employer will have you complete Form I-9 to verify your identity and work eligibility.1U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Pre-Employment Inquiries and Citizenship If you are not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, you may need to present an Employment Authorization Document.2U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Employment Authorization
Education and Credentials by Role
A high school diploma or GED is the baseline for nearly every daycare position. What you need beyond that depends on the job.
- Aides and assistants: a high school diploma or GED is often enough, though some states want a small number of college credits in early childhood education or child development.
- Lead teachers: many states require an associate or bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, or a nationally recognized credential such as the Child Development Associate (CDA). Some states accept a mix of college credits and documented work experience.
- Directors: most states require a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, plus several years of classroom experience.
The CDA Credential
The CDA is the most widely recognized credential in early childhood education and a common path to lead teacher roles for people already working in childcare.3CDA Council. About the CDA – Learn More About the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential Earning it takes 120 clock hours of formal training across eight subject areas, plus at least 480 hours of hands-on experience with children in your chosen setting (infant/toddler, preschool, or family childcare). Many states accept a CDA in place of a college degree for lead teacher positions.
Ongoing Training
Your training does not end at hire. Federal rules require every state to set ongoing professional development requirements for childcare staff whose programs receive federal funding.4eCFR. 45 CFR 98.44 – Training and Professional Development Required annual hours vary by state and often by your education level, with higher degrees sometimes meaning fewer hours. Training can usually be completed through workshops, online courses, college coursework, or conferences, and many centers help cover the cost.
CPR, First Aid, and Required Safety Training
Every daycare worker who has direct contact with children must hold current pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid certifications.5Child Care Technical Assistance Network. 1.4.3.1 First Aid and CPR Training for Staff – CFOC Basics Adult-only courses do not satisfy licensing requirements. Your course has to cover infant and child techniques, and most state licensing agencies want a hands-on skills check, so a fully online course without an in-person component may not qualify.
The American Red Cross and American Heart Association are the most common providers. Certification is typically valid for two years before you need to renew.5Child Care Technical Assistance Network. 1.4.3.1 First Aid and CPR Training for Staff – CFOC Basics Course fees generally run from around $60 to $120.
CPR and first aid are part of a broader set of health and safety topics every program receiving federal funding must train staff on. The federal minimum covers:6eCFR. 45 CFR 98.41 – Health and Safety Requirements
- Preventing the spread of infectious disease and keeping immunizations current
- Safe sleep practices and SIDS prevention
- Safely administering medication with parental consent
- Recognizing and responding to food allergy emergencies
- Identifying building hazards, including water and vehicle risks
- Preventing shaken baby syndrome, abusive head trauma, and child maltreatment
- Emergency preparedness for natural disasters and other crises
- Pediatric first aid and CPR
You must complete this pre-service training within three months of being hired.4eCFR. 45 CFR 98.44 – Training and Professional Development States can add their own topics on top.
Health Screening
Most states require a health assessment before you can work unsupervised with children. That usually means a physical exam by a licensed physician, physician assistant, or nurse practitioner confirming you can handle the physical demands of the job: lifting children, moving quickly in emergencies, and spending long stretches on your feet.
A tuberculosis screening is standard at the initial clearance. Close, prolonged contact with children makes it a priority to rule out communicable disease, and some states screen for additional conditions. Follow-up TB tests are generally not required after the initial one unless a healthcare provider or public health authority says otherwise.
Criminal Background Check
Federal law requires every state receiving childcare funding to run a comprehensive criminal background check on all prospective and current childcare staff.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 9858f – Criminal Background Checks It is not a quick name search. The check has three layers:
- An FBI fingerprint check against the national database
- A search of the criminal and sex offender registries in every state where you have lived during the past five years
- A search of the child abuse and neglect registries in those same states
You will need to provide accurate residential history for the past five years so the searches cover every relevant jurisdiction. Fingerprinting is usually done at a designated third-party site. State fees for processing are capped at the actual cost of the check and typically run from around $20 to $65.7Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 9858f – Criminal Background Checks
Convictions That Disqualify You
Under federal CCDF rules, certain felony convictions permanently bar you from working at a daycare that receives federal childcare funding:8eCFR. 45 CFR 98.43 – Criminal Background Checks
- Murder
- Child abuse or neglect
- A crime against children, including child pornography
- Spousal abuse
- Kidnapping
- Rape or sexual assault
- Arson
- Physical assault or battery
- A drug-related felony committed within the preceding five years
Violent misdemeanors committed as an adult against a child, including child abuse, child endangerment, sexual assault, and misdemeanors involving child pornography, are also disqualifying.8eCFR. 45 CFR 98.43 – Criminal Background Checks You are also ineligible if you are on (or required to be on) a state or national sex offender registry, if you refuse to consent to the background check, or if you make a false statement during the process.
States can add to this list, and some use an individualized review for the five-year drug-felony window rather than an automatic bar. The federal disqualifications apply to providers receiving CCDF funding, though most states apply similar standards across all licensed childcare facilities.
Mandated Reporter Duty
Once you work at a daycare, you are a mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect. Federal law requires state childcare plans to certify that providers comply with child abuse reporting requirements.9Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 42 USC 9858c – Application and Plan You have a legal obligation to report any suspected abuse or neglect to your state’s child protection agency, and you can face penalties if you fail to do so.
Training on how to recognize signs of abuse and how to file a report is built into the federally required health and safety topics.6eCFR. 45 CFR 98.41 – Health and Safety Requirements Penalties for failing to report vary by state and can include fines and criminal charges. Head Start offers a mandated reporter training course, and many states run their own.10HeadStart.gov. Child Abuse and Neglect
What the Hiring Process Looks Like
Once you have your documentation together, hiring usually starts with an application packet: resume, proof of education, medical clearance, and copies of your certifications. Many centers accept digital submissions through an online portal; some still want paper.
Expect reference checks before an offer. Facilities commonly ask for at least two references from people unrelated to you who can speak to your suitability for working with children. If you have childcare experience from the past five years, at least one reference check will typically go to a former supervisor in that role.
After a conditional offer, you will go through a formal orientation covering the center’s policies, emergency procedures, and classroom routines. This pre-service orientation has to be completed within three months of your hire date.4eCFR. 45 CFR 98.44 – Training and Professional Development During that early stretch, you will typically work under the direct supervision of a qualified teacher until all background checks, certifications, and training requirements are complete.