8295. (a) (1) Preschool programs shall include a career ladder program for classroom staff. Persons who are 18 years of age and older may be employed as aides and may be eligible for salary increases upon the completion of additional semester units in early childhood education or child development. The governing board of each contracting agency shall be encouraged to provide teachers and aides with salary increases for the successful completion of early childhood education or child development courses in six semester unit increments.
(2) Persons employed as teachers in a preschool program shall possess a permit issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing service in the care, development, and instruction of children in a childcare and development program.
(b) Any person who meets the following criteria is eligible to serve in an instructional capacity in a preschool program:
(1) Possesses a current credential issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing authorizing teaching service in elementary school or a single subject credential in home economics.
(2) Twelve units in early childhood education or child development, or both, or two years’ experience in early childhood education or a childcare and development program.
(Added by renumbering Section 8360 by Stats. 2021, Ch. 116, Sec. 186. (AB 131) Effective July 23, 2021.)