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SB 2637

Education, Dept. of - As enacted, prohibits an individual from serving as a teacher or assistant teacher in a child care program for children who are four or younger unless the individual is at least 18. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 71, Chapter 3, Part 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Kerry Roberts

Tennessee requires child care workers for children under five to be at least 18 years old, potentially reducing youth employment in early childhood education programs.

Pub. Ch. 679
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Bill Summary · SB 2637

Legislative bill overview

SB 2637 establishes a minimum age requirement of 18 years old for individuals working as teachers or assistant teachers in child care programs serving children four years old and younger in Tennessee. The bill amends state education and child care regulations to codify this age restriction.

Why is this important

Child care worker age requirements directly affect workforce availability, staffing costs, and supervision standards in early childhood education. This policy reflects decisions about child safety, developmental appropriateness of supervision, and whether high school students or other younger workers can participate in this sector.

Potential points of contention

  • Workforce impact: Restricting workers under 18 may reduce the available labor pool for child care facilities, potentially increasing operational costs and limiting employment opportunities for teenagers in this field
  • Practical enforcement: Determining how the age requirement applies to work-study programs, unpaid interns, or volunteers in child care settings could create implementation challenges
  • Scope specificity: The bill targets only programs for children four and younger, raising questions about whether similar restrictions should apply to programs serving older age groups or other educational settings

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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