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Early Childhood Education in Arizona
These pages summarize rules to help you plan. They are not legal advice. Before you place students at a work site or change a program, check with your state agency, your district's counsel and your insurance carrier.
In short
Arizona high school students 16 and older can count in ratio as assistant teacher-caregivers, the CDA is on the state credential list, and a school lab preschool usually needs an ADHS license.
State program: Early Childhood Education, CIP 13.1210.00 (2024 technical standards)
What a high school can deliver
Placement as a counted assistant teacher-caregiver at 16, and the CDA (on ADE's 2026-27 list).
Credentials students can earn
CDA on ADE's 2026-27 list for 13.1210, counting for A-F and CTED (list updated Sept. 8, 2026)
Age and hour requirements
Assistant teacher-caregiver at 16 through continuous high school enrollment, counted in ratio; teacher-caregiver 18; director 21; student-aides under 16 not counted (A.A.C. Title 9, Ch. 5).
Other agencies involved
ADHS Bureau of Child Care Licensing: facility license. The lab preschool exemption (A.R.S. 36-884(8)) has several conditions, including instruction in math, reading and science only and no state-subsidized tuition, so it rarely fits.
Who can teach it
CTE certificate through work-experience verification; certificate area (Education and Training or Family and Consumer Sciences): Confirm with the agency.
Child labor rules for work placements
No work permit; no state hour limits at 16-17. A DPS fingerprint clearance card is required before starting for employees and volunteers (A.R.S. 36-883.02); how staff under 18 are screened: Confirm with the agency.
College credit after high school
Not researched; no statewide agreement found ().
Where to go next
- The full Early Childhood Education guide, showing Arizona
- The Arizona state profile
- Add this pathway to your plan
Early Childhood Education in other states
Other pathways in Arizona
- Nurse Aide / Patient Care
- EMT
- Electrical
- Welding
- Construction and Carpentry
- HVAC/R
- Cybersecurity / Networking
- Programming / Computer Science
- Automotive
- Medical and Dental Assisting
- Cosmetology
- Agriculture
- Culinary and Hospitality
- Machining and Mechatronics
- Engineering and Drafting
- Firefighting
- Law, Public Safety and Corrections
- Business Management and Marketing
- Entrepreneurship
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