Becoming Certified

• 1). Call the Board of Education for your state or visit their website.
  
  
• 2). Contact a school or Head Start program in your area and ask about their specific requirements. Each state, school and early childhood center's requirements may vary. Ensure you have a clear understanding of their guidelines before applying for a teaching position.
  
  
• 3). Attain a college degree in early childhood development or education. Honing your teaching skills and understanding of childhood development is helpful to your teaching success, even if it is not required by your state.
  
  
• 4). Gain teaching experience as a teacher's aid or helper. Most states require experience with young children in either a daycare facility or classroom.
  
  
• 5). Become a certified Child Development Associate. Certification as a CDA is not required in every state. Nonetheless, it is a nationally recognized certification required for all childcare center teachers. CDAs are required to complete 480 hours working with young children in addition to 120 hours teaching children in a classroom setting.