Vermont

Overall Policy Lever Score

4

Child care licensing minimally requires a director of a small center (12 or fewer children) to have a Certificate of Completion from the Vermont Apprenticeship Program, which consists of 9 semester hours in early childhood and 9 semester hours in program administration. In addition to minimal licensing requirements, the competency-based Program Director Credential requires 21 semester hours in early childhood education and program management with two equivalency options. Principal licensure requires a master’s degree and 3 years of teaching experience. Principal certification is pre-K-12 but neither pre-K coursework nor teaching experience is required. The statewide QRIS is a points-based system and the administrator’s qualifications are combined with those of the teaching staff. Program administrators in school-based pre-K programs are required to have a master’s degree, but administrators in community-based programs are required to be licensed. There is one early childhood leadership academy and no degree programs in Vermont.

Interesting Facts: Vermont

  • The Snelling Center for Government offers the Early Childhood Leadership Institute to foster civic engagement on early care and education issues.

  • Vermont is one of only two states that require a BA degree for program directors in licensed centers serving a threshold number of children.

  • There are 290 child care directors and 615 family child care providers in Vermont.