Learn about Family Child Care Assistant requirements

If you want to help care for children in a licensed Family Child Care provider's home, you need to be either a Regular or Certified Family Child Care Assistant.

Certified Family Child Care Assistant

Qualifications

If you want to be a Certified Family Child Care Assistant, you must meet the same qualifications as the licensed Family Child Care provider that you plan on working with.

• Certified Family Child Care Assistants who are certified at the same level as the licensed Family Child Care provider may care for children in that provider's absence for any length of time.

Licensing Requirements

To become a Certified Family Child Care Assistant, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have cared for children full time or been a parent for at least a year (or have a combination experience and training) or be qualified as a teacher or site coordinator.
• Have a background with no adverse conduct, verified by an EEC background record check.
• Submit medical evidence that you are healthy and able to care for children.
• Be trained in CPR and First Aid.
• Have the ability to implement the provider's curriculum, activities, and routines.
• Keep a record of all licensed child care homes where you have cared for children.
• Complete all required trainings:
  • The Family Child Care orientation training class (must have been completed in person no earlier than a year prior to application).
  • EEC Essentials online training.

The Certified Family Child Care Assistant certificate is valid for 3 years.

Regular Family Child Care Assistant

Qualifications

If you want to be a Regular Family Child Care Assistant, you don't need to meet the same qualifications as the licensed Family Child Care provider that you plan on working with.

As a regular Family Child Care Assistant, you can:

• Work in a licensed Family Child Care provider's home under the licensed Family Child Care provider's supervision for any length of time.
• Care for up to 6 children alone in a licensed Family Child Care provider’s home for a limited time period (25 hours in 12 months, or 8 hours in 7 days), if you are certified in CPR and First Aid appropriate to the age of children in care.

Licensing Requirements

To become a Regular Family Child Care Assistant, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a background with no adverse conduct.
• Work under the supervision of the provider, unless you are certified in CPR and First Aid.
• Be able to implement the provider's curriculum, activities, and routines.
• Keep a record of all licensed child care homes where you have cared for children.
• Complete the EEC Essentials online training.

The Regular Family Child Care Assistant letter of approval is valid for 3 years.

Additional Resources

Family Child Care background record check consent form

Family Child Care Medical Form