3) one of the following: Associate degree or a higher degree in early childhood, child development, or a related academic discipline from a regionally accredited college or university; technical certificate or diploma in early childhood; Child Development Associate Credential; three semester hours of academic study or equivalent training in early childhood, child development, or a related academic discipline from a regionally accredited college or university, and three months of experience in early childhood education providing direct care and supervision to children of the same age range they will be serving; OR . Six (6) months of experience in early childhood education, providing direct care and supervision to children of the same age range they will be serving.