Educational Psychology
Self-paced online Educational Psychology course (Psychology 120). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
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What college credits does a child-care director need in New York?
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
A New York day care center director needs either a bachelor's degree with 12 credits in early childhood, child development or a related field, the state administrator credential, or an associate degree or CDA with a plan of study. Each route adds teaching and supervision experience: one year of each for the first two, two years of each for the others.
The rule and where it lives
Director qualifications are in 18 NYCRR 418-1.13(g)(1), part of the day care center regulations OCFS enforces. The section was last amended effective 3 June 2020. It sets four routes, each with an education part and an experience part, and the director must meet one of them in full.
The four routes side by side
The table puts the four routes next to each other so you can see which is closest for you.
| Route | Education | Teaching | Supervising |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's | Bachelor's plus 12 credits in early childhood, child development or related field | 1 year full-time | 1 year |
| Administrator credential | NYS children's program administrator credential | 1 year full-time | 1 year |
| Associate | Associate in early childhood or related field, plus plan of study | 2 years full-time | 2 years |
| CDA or other credential | CDA or OCFS-recognised credential, plus plan of study | 2 years full-time | 2 years |
If you already have a bachelor's degree
If your bachelor's is in another subject, you still need the 12 credits in early childhood, child development or a related field. They can be part of the degree or added after it. Count what is already on your transcript first: a child psychology or family course may already be there. Then ask OCFS which of your courses it will count, and plan only the gap.
- Get official transcripts from every college.
- List each course with its title, credits and description.
- Ask OCFS in writing which ones count toward the 12.
If you are on the associate route
The associate route takes longer on experience and needs a plan of study toward a bachelor's or the administrator credential. Under 418-1.13(k) you must show continuous progress on that plan at least once a year. That is where general-education credits matter: each course you finish is progress you can show, and a bachelor's needs many general-education credits.
Courses with ACE or NCCRS credit recommendations can fill parts of the general-education requirement, if the college on your plan agrees in writing to post them. The early childhood core usually has to come from the college itself.
What OCFS will look at
OCFS reviews the director's education, teaching experience and supervision experience. For education it reads official college transcripts, not certificates of completion. For experience it looks at dates, hours and the kind of programme. Prepare all three before the review so the decision is not delayed by a missing paper.
- Official college transcripts
- Letters showing teaching dates and hours
- Letters showing supervision of staff
A short checklist before you enrol anywhere
Write down which route you are on, how many of the 12 credits you already have, and which courses your college will post. Ask OCFS and the college in writing and keep the replies with your plan of study. That one folder answers most questions at your review.
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask your OCFS regional office in writing which courses it will count toward the 12 or 9 credits, and ask your college in writing which courses it will post, before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Can I be a director with only an associate degree?
Yes, under 418-1.13(g)(1) if the associate degree is in early childhood or a related field, you have a plan of study toward a bachelor's or the administrator credential, and you have two years of full-time teaching and two years supervising staff.
Does supervision experience have to be in child care?
The rule asks for experience supervising staff in a child care programme or a related field of work. If your supervision was in another setting, describe it in detail and ask OCFS in writing whether it fits.
How often must I show progress on a plan of study?
At least once a year, under 418-1.13(k). Keep the transcripts showing the courses you finished each year with your plan of study, so you can show continuous progress whenever OCFS or your centre asks for it.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Finish the general-education half of an early childhood degree with ACE- or NCCRS-recommended courses, moved via a college transcript.
Sources
- 18 NYCRR 418-1.13: Staff qualifications (day care centers), eff. 3 June 2020 (official)Director routes: bachelor's plus 12 credits in early childhood, child development or a related field, with 1 year teaching and 1 year supervising; associate degree or CDA routes with a plan of study and 2 years of each. Preschool group teacher: associate degree, or CDA plus 1 year, or 9 credits with a plan of study plus 2 years. Plans of study need continuous progress shown at least yearly (418-1.13(k)). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- OCFS Child Care Policy 17-5: Evaluating qualifications for day care center directors (official)OCFS evaluates a director's education, teaching experience and supervision experience; directors with a bachelor's must show at least 12 credits in early childhood, child development or a related field (read via OCFS search extract; the PDF did not load). Checked on 15 Nov 2026.