Rule 122
(1) Lead caregivers are required only for groups of children who are preschool age and younger.
(2) At least 1
lead caregiver shall be assigned to each group of children in a self-contained or
well-defined space and shall be present and providing care in the assigned group in the following manner:
(a) Full time for programs operating less than 6 continuous hours.
(b) At least 6 hours per day for programs operating 6 or more continuous hours.
(3) Lead caregivers shall be responsible for both of the following:
(a) Overseeing the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the classroom program and child assessment.
(b) Overseeing child care staff members for a specific group of children and overall care and supervision of children.
(4) Lead caregivers shall have both of the following qualifications:
(a) Be at least 19 years of age.
(b) Have a high school diploma or GED.
(5) Lead caregivers shall meet 1 of the following qualifications shown in Table 3:
| TABLE 3 Lead Caregiver Qualifications |
| Education | Coursework in Early Childhood Education, Child Development, or a Child-Related Field | Hours of Experience |
| (a) | Bachelors degree or higher in early childhood education, child development, or a child-related field |
| (b) | Montessori credential with | 480 hours |
| (c) | Associates degree or higher in early childhood education or child development |
| (d) | Valid child development associate credential with [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 480 hours |
| (e) | High school diploma or GED with [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 12 semester hours and [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 960 hours |
| (f) | High school diploma or GED with [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 12 semester hours, 18 CEUs, or a combination to equal 180 clock hours with [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 1,920 hours |
| (g) | High school diploma or GED with [RIGHTWARDS ARROW] | 6 semester hours, 9 CEUs, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours with | 3,840 hours |
(6) Lead caregivers qualified under subrule (5), Table 3, row (g) of this rule, have 2 years from date of hire in this position to obtain an additional 6 semester hours, 9 CEUs, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours, or 90 hours from MiRegistry.
(7) Lead caregivers for infants and toddlers shall have 3 semester hours, 4.5 CEUs, or 45 hours of MiRegistry approved infant and toddler development and care practices within 6 months of hire. These semester hours or CEUs may satisfy a portion of the requirements of subrule (6) of this rule.
(8) A substitute for a lead caregiver shall be appointed for a lead caregiver who has left employment or has a temporary absence that exceeds 30 consecutive workdays until return or replacement. A substitute lead caregiver has 90 days to meet the qualifications of a lead caregiver.
(9) Verification of the education, credentials, and experience of each lead caregiver shall be kept on file at the center or at MiRegistry.
