Most states and many cities require child care workers to be licensed. Requirements vary widely. In Illinois, the following are the requirements for child care workers and directors in Illinois licensed child day-care centers:

Directors must be 21 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent and meet one of the following:

• 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with 18 semester hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development from birth to age six; or
• two years of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center,
• 30 semester hours of college credits with ten semester hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development; and
• proof of enrollment in an accredited college or university until two years of college credit have been achieved. A total of 18 semester hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development is required to be obtained within the total two years of college credits; or
• completion of a Child Development Associate credential from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition;
• completion of 12 semester hours in courses related to child care and/or child development from birth to age six at an accredited college or university; and
• two years of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten or licensed day care center.

Child care workers must be at least 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or equivalent, and meet one of the following:

• 60 semester hours of credit from an accredited college or university with six semester hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; or
• one year of child development experience in a nursery school, kindergarten, or licensed day care center; and
• 30 semester hours of credits from an accredited college or university with six semester hours in courses related directly to child care and/or child development, from birth to age six; or
• completion of an approved credentialing program.

Those who take care of children in their homes must meet different requirements. In general, those who care for between one and eight children must:

• be 18 years of age or older;
• pass a criminal background check;
• be fingerprinted;
• have a high school diploma or equivalent; and
• have the home inspected and be in compliance with state codes.

For additional licensing information, contact:

One certificate that is accepted by many states is the Child Development Associate (CDA) credential. To receive the CDA, an applicant must demonstrate child care knowledge and skill. For more information about this certificate, contact: