New Jersey has differing administrative staffing requirements based on licensed capacity of a child care center. For programs licensed for more than 30 children, a minimum of a BA, plus one year of managerial or supervisory experience, is required. For programs with 30 or fewer children, a group teacher may serve as director with a CDA, CCP, Group Teacher Endorsement, or NJ Infant/Toddler Credential, plus one year of teaching experience in child care. The competency-based administrator credential is built on the foundation of a BA. It is comprised of 15 college credits or a 144 hour noncredit option, plus one year experience working with children, one year of management experience, a portfolio, and professional contributions. The statewide QRIS is a points-based system; there is one point awarded if the supervisor of teaching staff has a CDA or nine credits in early childhood education. Elementary principal licensure requires a master’s degree and pre-K content is included as part of the certificate. State pre-K programs in schools require a principal license. There are three early childhood leadership degree programs and one early childhood leadership academy in New Jersey.
The interactive map at the right shows the density of child care directors by county (2012 Workforce Dataset: A Review of Workforce Trends, National Workforce Registry Alliance).
