Washington, D.C. State Requirements

Qualifications:
Teachers: In the District of Columbia teachers must be at least 18 and have a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field including a minimum of 15 hrs. in early childhood education courses; or 2 or more years of college including a minimum of 15 hrs. in early childhood education courses and 1 year experience in a child development facility; or a HS diploma or equivalent and 3 yrs. experience as teacher or assistant teacher in child development  center and 9 college credit hours in early childhood education from an accredited college or university;  or experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in licensed child development center with a CDA.

Provider/Child Ratio:
Age Range     Ratio For Center Based Care in Washington DC
2 years - 2 � years     (1:4)
2 � - 3 years     (1:8)
4 years     (1:10)
5 years     (1:15)
6 - 14 years     (1:15)
Mixed age group     Ratio shall be adjusted to protect the welfare of the younger children

Age Range     Ratio For Family Child Care in Washington DC
All ages     (1:5) [ratio includes family members under age 6]
Infants     (1:2)

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
District of Columbia Health Regulation Administration
Department of Health
825 North Capitol Street, NE, Suite 2224
Washington, DC 20002
Phone: (202) 442-5888
Fax: (202) 442-9430

Child Care Subsidy Agency
DC Department of Human Services
Early Care and Education Administration
717 14th Street NW, Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 727-1839
Fax: (202 )727-7728 or (202) 727-8166

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Office of Early Childhood Education
717 14th Street, NW, Suite 450
Washington, DC, 20005
Phone: (202) 727-8113
Fax: (202) 727-8164

Child Care Food Program Agency
Special Nutrition and Commodities
State Education Office
441 4th Street NW Suite 350N
Washington D.C. 20001-2714
Phone: (202) 724-7655
Fax: (202) 727-2834

Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Washington Child Development Council
1400 Sixteenth Street, NW, Suite 715
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 387-0002
Fax: (202) 387-0411

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Child Support Services Division
Office of the Attorney General
Judiciary Square 441 Fourth Street NW, 5th Floor
Washington, District of Columbia 20001
Phone: (202) 724-2131
Fax: (202) 724-3710