The Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning will host a community meeting at Macon State College on Tuesday, Sept. 25, to discuss new education requirements for lead teachers in Georgia child care programs. Beginning Dec. 1, 2012, in addition to a high school diploma or GED, lead teachers at Georgia day cares must have a Technical Certificate of Credit from a technical college, a Child Development Associate degree, or a comparable credential.

The change was announced several years ago, and state and federal funds have provided scholarships and grants to help teachers cover most of the costs.

The meeting, in the Mathematics Auditorium at 100 College Station Drive, will last from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and will include time for questions and comments. Written comments may be sent in advance to ccsrulerevisions@decal.ga.gov.

To contact writer S. Heather Duncan, call 744-4225.