New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 8 - SOCIAL SERVICES
Chapter 9 - EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND CARE
Part 4 - CHILD CARE LICENSING; CHILD CARE CENTERS, OUT OF SCHOOL TIME PROGRAMS, FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES, AND OTHER EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
Section 8.9.4.23 - PERSONNEL AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS FOR CENTERS
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024
A. PERSONNEL AND STAFFING REQUIREMENTS:
B. STAFF QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:
Professional Preparation |
and |
Experience |
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Program Administration The first of three AA-level Early Childhood Program Administration courses in the Early Childhood Program Administration career pathway: Program Management 1 Or The National Administrator Credential (NAC)* |
and |
Child Development/Early Childhood Education Child Growth, Development and Learning (one of the AA-level "common core courses")** |
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Two-years experience in an early childhood growth and development setting |
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The Provisional AA-Level NM Early Childhood Program Administration Certificate (All three AA-level Early Childhood Program Administration Courses and Practicum: Program Management 1, Effective Program Development for Diverse Learners and Their Families & Practicum, Professional Relationships & Practicum) |
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The New Mexico Child Development Certificate (CDC) (Includes the following four courses as well as additional non-coursework requirements: Child Growth, Development and Learning; Health, Safety and Nutrition; Family and Community Collaboration; and Assessment of Children and Evaluation of Programs) |
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The Child Development Associate (CDA) certificate |
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The Child Care Professional (CCP) certificate |
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The New Mexico Early Childhood Program Administration Certificate |
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Montessori Teacher Certification |
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The New Mexico One-Year Vocational Certificate |
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Associate of Arts (AA) or Applied Sciences (AA or AAS) in child development or early childhood education |
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Or |
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A bachelor's degree or higher in early childhood education or a related field. Related fields include: early childhood special education, family studies, family and consumer sciences, elementary education with early childhood endorsement or any bachelor's degree with a transcript containing two or more Early Childhood courses. |
and |
One year of experience in an early childhood growth and development setting |
*The NAC and two years of experience in an early childhood growth and development setting will be accepted as sufficient qualification for a director under the following conditions:
**Directors shall be given until the end of the first full academic semester following their start date to successfully complete this course.
C. STAFF/CHILD RATIOS AND GROUP SIZES:
Centers where children are grouped by age |
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Age Group |
Adult to child ratio |
Maximum group size |
infants |
1:6 or fraction of group thereof |
12* |
toddlers |
1:6 or fraction of group thereof |
12* |
two years |
1:10 or fraction of group thereof |
20 |
three years |
1:12 or fraction of group thereof |
24 |
four years |
1:12 or fraction of group thereof |
24 |
five years |
1:15 or fraction of group thereof |
30 |
six years and older |
1:15 or fraction of group thereof |
30 |
Centers Where Age Groups Are Combined |
||
Age Group |
Adult to child ratio |
Maximum group size |
six weeks through 24 months |
1:6 or fraction of group thereof |
12* |
two through four years |
1:12 or fraction of group thereof |
24 |
three through five years |
1:14 or fraction of group thereof |
28 |
six years and older |
1:15 or fraction of group thereof |
30 |
18 to 24 months with children ages 24 through 35 months |
1:6 or fraction of group thereof |
12* |
*Providers whose group size exceeds the maximum group size for infants and toddlers indicated above prior to the date these regulations are promulgated shall continue with their current group size as long as ratios are maintained at all times. Providers whose group size meets the maximum group size for infants and toddlers indicated above prior to the date these regulations are promulgated must continue to meet the maximum group size. All new licensed providers and those requesting an infant or toddler capacity change after the date these regulations are promulgated must meet the maximum group size as indicated above.