School-Age Care Providers

School-age care is one name given to the many programs for youth outside the regular school day. DCYF licenses school-age programs to make sure they meet minimum standards for health and safety, which means school-age providers have a specific set of qualifications.

Roles and Requirements

Use this as a summary document for school-age staff qualifications. Printer-friendly Qualifications Chart for School-Age Providers.  For complete staff qualification requirements, see WAC 110-301-0100.

Program Director

  • Background Check
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Test
  • Licensing Orientation (if applicable)
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Hiring Education Requirement:
    • 12 college credits
  • School Age Basics
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers (if applicable)
  • Electronic Attendance Training (if applicable)
  • 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
  • Full Education: 45 college credits
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: 5 years

Site Director

  • Background Check
  • TB Test
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Hiring Education Requirement: 12 college credits
  • School Age Basics
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers (if applicable)
  • 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
  • Full Education: 30 college credits
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: 5 years

Lead Teacher

  • Background Check
  • TB Test
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Hiring Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent
  • School Age Basics
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers (if applicable)
  • 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
  • Full Education: 12 college credits
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: 5 years

Assistant Teacher

  • Background Check
  • TB Test
  • Minimum Age: 18
  • Hiring Education Requirement: High School Diploma or equivalent
  • School Age Basics
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers (if applicable)
  • 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
  • Full Education: N/A
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: N/A

Aide

  • Background Check
  • TB Test
  • Minimum Age: 14
  • Hiring Education Requirement: High School Diploma or Enrolled
  • School Age Basics
  • First Aid/CPR
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Food Handlers (if applicable)
  • 10-Hour Annual In-Service Training
  • Full Education: N/A
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: N/A

Volunteer

  • Background Check
  • TB Test
  • Minimum Age: 14
  • Hiring Education Requirement: N/A
  • Blood Borne Pathogens
  • Federal Health and Safety Trainings
    • Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse
    • Emergency Preparedness
    • Serving Children Experiencing Homelessness
    • Prevention of Shaken Baby Syndrome (if applicable)
  • Full Education: N/A
  • Time Allowed from Date of Hire or Promotion: N/A

Timeline

School-age care providers have five years from their date of hire or promotion to meet the full education staff qualifications requirements.

Meeting Staff Qualifications

Learn about how you can meet each requirement and their timelines.

These are requirements that must be met before a provider receives a license or works with children (WAC 110-300-0100). Pre-service requirements include:

  • Licensing Orientation*
  • Background Check
  • TB Test

* If applicable for the role.

These are requirements that a person must have upon hire (WAC 110-300-0100). They include:

  • The minimum age to work with children in a school-age care setting.
  • The education level needed before being hired. This depends on the role.

School-age care providers are responsible for completing training before they provide care and throughout their career.

Learn about required training for school-age providers.

Some school-age care roles are responsible for completing education. Learn about the education and equivalents option.