Group Leader Requirement Changes

The Colorado Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care sets the education and training requirements for all licensed child care workers in the state. The current rules for Group Leader training below reflect recent changes by CDHS.

Effective May 1, 2007

The number of training hours increased from nine (9) hours to fifteen (15) clock hours annually for licensed Group Leaders or Lead Teachers.

Effective May 1, 2010

New Group Leader Educational Requirements
For ALL Lead Teachers (no exceptions)

• Bachelor’s degree in one of the following areas: Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Special Education, Family and Child Development or Child Psychology. 

OR

• Twenty-four months (3,640 hours) of verified experience in the care and supervision of four or more children who are under 6 years of age who are not related to the individual plus either:
  • A current Level I Colorado Early Childhood Credential

  OR

  • Two 3-credit courses from a regionally accredited college or university with one course being Introduction to Early Childhood Education (ECE 101)*.

* All college course grades for lead teacher qualifications must be at a “C” or better