California met 4 of the 10 preschool benchmarks outlined by NIEER in 2012. Only four states, including Alabama and Rhode Island, met all the benchmarks.
States should have comprehensive early learning standards in place
Lead preschool teachers should hold a bachelor’s degree
Preschool teacher training should focus on child development and early education
Assistant preschool teachers should hold a child development associate permit
Preschool teachers should complete at least 15 hrs/yr of in-service training
Maximum class size should not exceed 20 students
Staff to child ratios should be 1:10 or better
Vision, hearing and health screenings should be provided to preschool students
Preschool programs should provide at least one meal per day to students
States should monitor program quality with regular site visits
States should have comprehensive early learning standards in place.
in california
Comprehensive Standards
California's preschool learning foundations were established in 2008. They were updated in 2011 to include visual and performing arts, physical development and health. An additional update is planned for this year to include social science and science standards.
Lead preschool teachers should hold a bachelor’s degree.
in california
California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
California's permit requires a semester’s worth of college credits in early childhood education or child development and 50 days of work experience in an instructional capacity. This five-year permit can be renewed once for an additional five years before a more advanced permit requiring additional credit hours and work experience is required. At no point are California preschool teachers required to hold a bachelor’s degree.
Preschool teacher training includes focus on child development and early education.
in california
California Child Development Associate Teacher Permit
The required permit in California calls for specialized training in early education.
Assistant preschool teachers should hold a child development associate permit.
in california
High School Diploma Required
Assistant teachers in California are required to hold a high school diploma or equivalent, nothing more.
Preschool teachers should complete at least 15 hrs/yr of in-service training.
in california
Average of 21 hrs/yr Over Five Years
California requires that state preschool teachers receive 105 hours of in-service training over the course of five years.
Maximum class size should not exceed 20 students.
in california
No Class Size Limit
Though California does not have a legal class size limit, programs typically enroll 24 students in a class. This corresponds with the required staff to child ratio of 1:8 (see next slide). Most state preschool classrooms have one lead teacher, two assistant teachers and 24 students.
Staff to child ratios should be 1:10 or better.
in california
1:8
This ratio explains the standard California preschool class size of 24 students. Most state-preschool classrooms have one lead teacher, two assistant teachers and 24 students.
Vision, hearing and health screenings should be provided to preschool students.
in california
Health, Developmental and Support Services
California appears to be very close to meeting this standard. Immunizations and physical and developmental assessments are required for children attending state preschool. If not provided by the parents, programs must address them. Home visits, parent education, referrals for social services and other support services are in place.
Preschool programs should provide at least one meal per day to students.
in california
Food Requirements Vary
California appears to be very close to meeting this standard. All part-day state preschool programs must provide at least a snack every day. One or two meals and two snacks are required for full-day programs. Food must meet nutritional requirements specified in federal school lunch guidelines.
States should monitor program quality with regular site visits.
in california
Monitoring as needed
Prior to the 2010-2011 school year, California required regular site visits for state preschool. Now, monitoring is based on collecting program information and visiting on an “as-needed” basis.