Virginia Law

A. Program directors shall be at least 21 years of age and shall meet one of the following:

1. A graduate degree in a child-related field such as elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and six months of programmatic experience;

2. An endorsement or bachelor's degree in a child-related field such as elementary education, nursing, or recreation from a college or university and one year of programmatic experience;

3. Forty-eight semester hours or 72 quarter hours of college credit from a college or university of which 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours are in child-related subjects and one year of programmatic experience;

4. Two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity and at least one of the following education backgrounds:

a. A one-year early childhood certificate from a college or university that consists of at least 30 semester hours;

b. A child development credential that requires:

(1) High school program completion or the equivalent;

(2) 480 hours working with children in a group which could include a supervised practicum;

(3) Determination of competency in promoting children's development, providing a safe and healthy environment, managing the classroom environment or childhood program, and promoting positive and productive relationships with parents or guardians; and

(4) At least 120 hours of child-related training taught by an individual or by an organization with expertise in early childhood teacher preparation provided that the training facilitator:

(a) Documents the student's mastery and competence;

(b) Observes the student's application of competence in a classroom setting;

(c) Has a combination of at least six years of education (leading to a degree or credential in a child-related field) or programmatic experience; and

(d) Has at least 12 semester hours or 180 hours in a child-related field, a child development credential or equivalent, and two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity; or

c. A certification of qualification from an internationally or nationally recognized Montessori organization.

B. Program directors without management experience shall have one college course in a business-related field, 10 hours of management training, or one child care management course that satisfactorily covers the management functions of:

1. Planning;

2. Budgeting;

3. Staffing; and

4. Monitoring.

Management experience is defined as at least six months of on-the-job training in an administrative position that requires supervising, orienting, training, and scheduling staff.

C. For program directors of therapeutic child day programs and special needs child day programs, education and programmatic experience shall be in the group care of children with special needs.

D. Notwithstanding subsection A of this section, a person between 19 and 21 years of age may serve as a program director at a short-term program serving only school age children if the program director has daily supervisory contact by a person at least 21 years of age who meets one of the program director qualification options.

E. A program director employed prior to October 13, 2021, who met the education and experience qualifications in effect immediately prior to October 13, 2021, and who has been continuously employed as a child day center director, is considered to have met the requirements of this section.