Teachers
GCDC Teacher qualification requirements were developed with respect to the requirements of both the Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Lead Teacher: Responsible for all the activities in his/her room. Provides appropriate direction to assistant teachers and others providing support to the classroom.
Lead Teachers must have:
Assistant & Associate Teachers: Provide much-needed support to classroom teachers and students. They are instrumental in providing instructional support. Associate Teachers must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education or related field. Assistant Teachers must have at minimum a 90-hour certificate in Early Childhood Development from the MSDE.
Team Coordinators: Serve as our in-house substitute teachers. Provide administrative support when not assigned to a classroom. Team Coordinators have the same credential requirements as Assistant & Associate Teachers.
Lead Teacher: Responsible for all the activities in his/her room. Provides appropriate direction to assistant teachers and others providing support to the classroom.
Lead Teachers must have:
- A bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education or related field;
- 120 semester hours of college credits in Early Childhood Education or related field;
- A bachelor's degree or 120 hours in any field and five years experience as a lead teacher; or
- A foreign credential that is determined to be equivalent to a bachelor’s degree
- For classroom serving two-year-olds, Lead Teachers must have:
- 120 semester hours of college credits in Early Childhood Education or related field.
Assistant & Associate Teachers: Provide much-needed support to classroom teachers and students. They are instrumental in providing instructional support. Associate Teachers must have a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in Early Childhood Education or related field. Assistant Teachers must have at minimum a 90-hour certificate in Early Childhood Development from the MSDE.
Team Coordinators: Serve as our in-house substitute teachers. Provide administrative support when not assigned to a classroom. Team Coordinators have the same credential requirements as Assistant & Associate Teachers.
Ongoing Professional Development
GCDC is committed to encouraging and assisting staff development, training, and continued education endeavors for its staff. GCDC employees are required to complete a minimum of twenty-four clock hours of training each school year.
Credential by Maryland State Department of Education
All of our Teaching staff and program administrators participate in the Maryland Child Care Credential Program (MCCP). The MCCP is a voluntary program that recognizes early childhood professionals who go beyond the requirements of State licensing and registration regulations. Participating providers are required to complete training in six Core of Knowledge areas that will help them develop the knowledge and skills to provide the best possible care for the children and families they serve.
