AboutPam Koons Expertise Early Childhood Education For Prospective, New and Existing Teachers, and also Pre-School Owners/Directors. I can offer Teaching advice and also School Business advice. I owned a private Pre-school that I started over 22 years ago. I have degrees in Early Childhood Education, Business Management and Children's Theater. Can answer a variety of questions on anything having to do with Early Childhood Education, both teaching and business aspects.
Currently I am an Editor and Regional Correspondent for Seattle PreschoolRock.com, an on-line network of over 32 websites dedicated solely to parents and teachers of preschoolers. Please see me at: http://Seattle.PreschoolRock.com/ and www.preschoolmentor.com and www.myspace.com/thebusinessofeducation
Experience Success in many areas. President of the local Chamber of Commerce. My school was voted #1 best private Pre-School in my county. 26 newspaper articles were written about my school and a half page news article about myself. Published Author in a Children's Anthology now on Amazon. Guest lecturer at the local College.
Expert: Pam Koons Date: 3/13/2008 Subject: Opening a Preschool in CA
Question Hello, my husband and I are considering opening a preschool in CA. He has been a K teacher for 9 years. I taught elementary for 8 years and am currently working as an administrator and will have my admin. credential in June. What are the credential requirements to open a preschool? We both have Mult. Subject credentials and MA's in education. I have 12 ECE units but I got them WAAAY back as an undergraduate. Do they ever expire? Thanks for any light you can shed on the situation.
Answer Hi Audrey!
Thanks for your question! And well done on your endeavors! I can answer as best I can coming from my experiences having a preschool in the Bay area of California. Please note that every state is entirely different with their own regs. For a more definitive answer, you would want to contact your Dept of Private Education, through the Public Ed. Dept in your state's county seat.
I have been told that credits are credits, and they do not expire. With that said, there are always new and better classes to take. And sometimes these can be required. Many states ask for at least 2 years' worth fo credits. Check with your state. I would think that your elementary credential would be sufficient, however. In WA (where I am now) they separate day cares from preschools and preschools fall into the grey area. There are NO qualifications to open up a preschool and that is sad! Anyone can, and they do. So please check with your Private Ed Dept. just to be sure.
If you need any private help with curriculum or business set-up, etc, please e-mail me at: www.preschoolmentor.com and I'd be happy to assist you with the business end of things, too.
