The child care licensing standards require center directors to have a minimum of an associate degree with 21 semester hours of early childhood college credit. Illinois provides program directors the option of earning a competency-based director credential (IDC). This credential is offered at three degree levels, associate, baccalaureate, and graduate. The IDC is embedded within licensing standards, ExceleRate Illinois QRIS, and Preschool For All, the state-funded pre-K program. Principal licensure in Illinois is pre-K -12. There are five leadership academies offered throughout the state and two graduate degree programs in early childhood leadership. Two community colleges offer associate degrees in early childhood administration.
