The qualifications for directors in child care licensing minimally require a CDA plus one year experience or three years of experience plus 90 clock hours of approved training. Louisiana offers Administrator Credential through Pathways NSUA program as well as a separate Administrator Credential though National Institute of Child Care Management. The director credential requires a Bachelor’s Degree and a combination of experience and training. Louisiana’s QRIS, Quality Start, is implemented statewide and is based on a point system for the top three levels. In order to earn the highest number of points, child care directors must have an associate degree, six semester hours in administration, and 5 years of administrative experience. Pre-K certification is available for elementary school principals and pre-K course content is required.
