5.2 Ratios, Group Size, and Qualifications for CCDF Providers

Lead Agencies must have child care standards for providers receiving CCDF funds, appropriate to the type of child care setting involved, that address appropriate staff: child ratios, group size limits for specific age populations, and the required qualifications for providers. Lead Agencies should map their categories of care to the CCDF categories. Exemptions for relative providers will be addressed in subsection 5.8. 5.2.1 Age classifications Describe how the Lead Agency defines the following age classifications (e.g., Infant: 0 – 18 months). a. Infant. Describe: A child under 2 years of age. b. Toddler. Describe: A child from 18 months up to 36 months (at age 3). c. Preschool. Describe: Children enrolled in a child care center licensed by Community Care Licensing Division and who are not enrolled in either an infant center or a school age center.” d. School-Age. Describe: "School-age Child" means any child who has entered the first grade or above or is a child in a child care program providing care and supervision exclusively to children enrolled in kindergarten and above. The Kindergarten Readiness Act of 2010 established Transitional Kindergarten. Transitional kindergarten means, the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. This change is recognized in Health and Safety Code section 1596.806(d)(1) which defines a “school-age childcare program” as being operated on a school site and includes children who are currently enrolled in a school, including transitional kindergarten, as defined in Section 48000 of the Education Code, or are dependent children living within the same household as a child attending a school, operated by an entity that contracts with the school to provide staff and program. 5.2.2 Ratio and group size limits Provide the ratio and group size limits for settings and age groups below. a. Licensed CCDF center-based care: i. Infant. Ratio: 4:1 Group size: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care (OCC) on May 8, 2024, for this provision. The CDSS needs additional time to develop an implementation plan and may seek technical assistance from OCC. California law does not currently establish group size requirements for this age component. ii. Toddler. Ratio: 6:1 Group size: 12:2 iii. Preschool. Ratio: 12:1 Group size: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care (OCC) on May 8, 2024, for this provision. The CDSS needs additional time to develop an implementation plan and may seek technical assistance from OCC. California law does not currently establish group size requirements for this age component. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 14:1 Group size: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care (OCC) on May 8, 2024, for this provision. The CDSS needs additional time to develop an implementation plan and may seek technical assistance from OCC. California law does not currently establish group size requirements for this age. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: Classrooms with mixed age groups must observe the individual requirements of the three types of child care licenses based on the age of the children in care. For example: 1) the Infant license is issued for providing care to infant from birth to up to 2 years old with a ratio of 1 teacher to 4 infants. 2) the Preschool license issued for children 2 years old to 6 years old or until they are enrolled in school with a ratio of 1 teacher to 12 children. 3) the School-age license is issued for children enrolled in a school program with a teacher to child ratio of 1 teacher to 14 children. The licensee may request to add a toddler option program to either their infant license or preschool license. Group size: California received a preliminary notice of non- compliance from Office of Child Care (OCC) on May 8, 2024, for this provision. The CDSS needs additional time to develop an implementation plan and may seek technical assistance from OCC. California law does not currently establish group size requirements for this age component. b. If different, provide the ratios and group size requirements for the license-exempt center- based providers who receive CCDF funds under the following age groups: i. ☐ Not applicable. There are no differences in ratios and group size requirements. ii. Infant: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license- exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards, developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. The CDSS will include a request for TA in regard to setting ratios and group sizes for the license-exempt centers and family child care providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. iii. Toddler: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license-exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards, developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. The CDSS will include a request for TA in regard to setting ratios and group sizes for the license-exempt centers and family child care providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. iv. Preschool: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license-exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards, developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. The CDSS will include a request for TA in regard to setting ratios and group sizes for the license-exempt centers and family child care providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. v. School-Age: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license-exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards, developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. The CDSS will include a request for TA in regard to setting ratios and group sizes for the license-exempt centers and family child care providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license-exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards, developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. The CDSS will include a request for TA in regard to setting ratios and group sizes for the license-exempt centers and family child care providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: 4:1 Group size: A maximum of 4 infants for a family child care home, both small and large. NOTE: If a small family child care home has 4 infants in care, then that facility may not care for any other children. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: 6:1 (small); 12:2 or 8:1 (large). Group size: 6:1 for a small family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a small family child care home must not exceed 8 children. 12:2 or 8:1 for a large family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a Large Family Child Care Home must not exceed 14 children. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: 6:1 (small); 12:2 or 8:1 (large). Group size: 6:1 for a small family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a small family child care home must not exceed 8 children. 12:2 or 8:1 for a large family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a Large Family Child Care Home must not exceed 14 children. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: 8:1 (small); 14:2 or 8:1 (large). Group size: 8:1 for a small family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a small family child care home must not exceed 8 children. 14:2 or 8:1 for a large family child care home; the total licensed capacity for a large family child care home must not exceed 14 children. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Varies based on group size. See response below in group size. Group size: A small family day care home may provide care for (1) four infants; or (2) six children, no more than three of whom are infants; or (3) more than six and up to eight children, without an additional adult attendant, if all of the following conditions are met: (a) at least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age; (b) more than two infants are cared for during any time when more than six children are cared for; (c) the licensee notifies each parent that the facility is caring for two additional school-age children and that there may be up to seven or eight children in the home at one time; (d) the licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented. The maximum number of children for whom care may be provided includes children under age 10 who reside in the licensee’s home. When there is an assistant provider in the home, a large family day care home may provide care for (1) 12 children, no more than four of whom may be infants; or (2) more than 12 children and up to 14 children, if all of the following conditions are met: (a) at least one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and a second child is at least six years of age; (b) no more than three infants are cared for during any time when more than 12 children are being cared for; (c) the licensee notifies a parent that the facility is caring for two additional school-age children and that there may be up to 13 or 14 children in the home at one time. (d) the licensee obtains the written consent of the property owner when the family day care home is operated on property that is leased or rented. The maximum number of children for whom care may be provided includes children under age 10 who reside in the licensee’s home and the assistant provider’s children under age 10. If no assistant provider is present in the large family day care home, then the licensee may care for no more children than allowed in a small family day care home. d. Are any of the responses above different for license-exempt family child care homes? ☐No. ☐X Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt providers vary by age of children served. California received a preliminary notice of non-compliance from Office of Child Care on December 13, 2021, for this provision in relation to license-exempt providers and needs additional time to meet the requirement. The CDSS has been meeting regularly with the federal technical assistance (TA) team to draft health and safety standards for license-exempt providers. It is now focusing its efforts and the TA on developing training requirements and monitoring policies and practices for license-exempt providers. When completed, CDSS will initiate the legislative, regulatory, budgetary and collective bargaining processes to formalize and implement the standards, training and monitoring policies for the license-exempt providers. ☐Not applicable. The Lead Agency does not have license-exempt family child care homes. e. Licensed in-home care (care in the child’s own home): i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: N/A. Group size: N/A. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: N/A. Group size: N/A. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: N/A. Group size: N/A. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: N/A. Group size: N/A. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable) Ratio: N/A. Group size: N/A. f. Are any of the responses above different for license-exempt in-home care? ☐No. ☐X Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt in-home care vary by age of children served. In-home providers are those who only provide care for relative children, children from a single family in addition to the provider’s own child/ren, and cooperative arrangements. No more than 12 children are allowed in cooperative care; care rotates houses, so it may occur in the child’s own home (California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.792(e)). There are no ratio or group size requirements for care by a relative or for care involving children of only one family in addition to the provider’s own children (California Health and Safety Code Section 1596.792(d)&(f)). 5.2.3 Teacher/caregiver qualifications for licensed, regulated, or registered care Provide the teacher/caregiver qualifications for each category of care. a. Licensed center-based care i. Describe the teacher qualifications for licensed CCDF center-based care (e.g., degrees, credentials, etc.), including any variations based on the ages of children in care: Infant: Infant teacher qualifications require 12 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development (at least 3 semester units or equivalent quarter units must be related to infant care) and 6 months experience in a licensed infant care center or comparable group child care program for children under the age of 5. Assistant teacher (aide) qualifications require either 6 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development or 2 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development following initial employment with continuation in the educational program each semester/quarter until 6 units have been completed. An aide who is less than 18 years old is permitted if they are a high school graduate or enrolled in a Regional Occupation Program (ROP) at an accredited high school/college. Toddler: An Infant Center licensee or Preschool Center licensee may request to add a toddler option program to their license. In this instance, either the teacher/caregiver qualifications described for the Infant Center license, or the Preschool Center would apply; however, any toddler in care under the age of 24 months would require teacher/caregiver qualifications equivalent to the Infant Center license. Preschool: Preschool lead teacher qualifications require 12 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development and 6 months experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. Assistant teacher qualifications require either 6 semester units or equivalent quarter units of early childhood education/development or 2 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development following initial employment with continuation in the educational program each semester/quarter until 6 units have been completed. An aide who is less than 18 years old is permitted if they are a high school graduate or enrolled in an ROP at an accredited high school/college. School- age: School-age teacher qualifications require 12 semester units or equivalent quarter units in early childhood education/development and 6 months experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. Mixed Age Groups: Staff Qualifications for classrooms with mixed age groups are based upon the age of children being served, whereby qualifications for those caregivers would include all required training as well as any corresponding qualifications specific to the age of children being served outlined within this section of the State Plan. ii. Describe the director qualification for licensed CCDF center-based care, including any variations based on the ages of children in care or the number of staff employed: Licensed child care center directors shall have completed one of the following prior to employment: (1) High school graduation or completion of the General Education Development (GED) examination, with passing grades; 15semester or equivalent quarter units as specified in California Code of Regulations, Title 22, section 101215.1(h)(1)(A)and (h)(1)(B) at an accredited or approved college or university; and at least four years of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. Three of the 15 semester units or equivalent quarter units shall be in administration or staff relations. Twelve of the 15 semester units or equivalent quarter units shall include courses that cover the general areas of child growth and development, or human growth and development; child, family and community, or child and family; and program/curriculum. (2) An associate of arts degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development; and at least two years of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. Three semester units or equivalent quarter units shall be in administration or staff relations. (3) A bachelor's degree from an accredited or approved college or university with a major or emphasis in early childhood education or child development; and at least one year of teaching experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program. Three semester units or equivalent quarter units shall be in administration or staff relations. (4) A Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or a Child Development Program Director Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. b. Licensed family child care Describe the provider qualifications for licensed family child care homes, including any variations based on the ages of children in care: All family child care home licensees are required to have 16 hours of health and safety training. This training includes pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as well as a requirement that at least one staff member who has a current course completion card in pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR must be on site at all times when children are present in the facility. They must also be present with children when children are offsite for facility activities. They must also have required mandated reporter training every two years. c. Licensed, regulated, or registered in-home care (care in the child’s own home by a non- relative) Describe the provider qualifications for licensed, regulated, or registered in-home care providers (care in the child’s own home) including any variations based on the ages of children in care: The California Department of Social Services does not have specific qualifications for in-home child care; such care is exempt from licensure. If a child lives in a licensed family child care home, qualifications pertaining to licensed family child care homes would apply. The TrustLine Registry background check process is required for license-exempt providers, except for grandparents, aunts, and uncles, if they are compensated with funds pursuant to the Alternative Payment Program, Chapter 3 of Part of the Child Care and Development Services Act. 5.2.4 Teacher/caregiver qualifications for license-exempt providers Provide the teacher/provider qualification requirements (for instance, age, high school diploma, specific training, etc.) for the license-exempt providers under the following categories of care: a. License-exempt center-based child care. Programs with General Child Care and Development contracts that meet exempt from licensure per Health and Safety Code Section 1596.792 (h) and (i) are required to meet all Program Quality qualifications described in California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR), Subchapter 12 Program Quality of the California Code of Regulations which includes qualified staff, ratios per 5 CCR 18290, and completion of the Desired Results system as part of the annual program self-evaluation process. Exempt programs that provide services through voucher-based programs such as public recreation programs comply with the criteria in Health and Safety Code Section 1596.792. b. License-exempt home-based child care. Following 5 CCR 18230, if the contractor's policies allow payment for in-home care, the contractor shall maintain in its file the following records concerning in-home care providers: (a) a description of the caregiver's qualifications and work experience obtained during a personal interview with the caregiver; (b) a declaration by the caregiver that he or she is in good health; (c) a signed statement from the parent verifying that the parent has interviewed and approved of the caregiver; (d) a California driver's license number or valid and recognized form of identification to verify that the caregiver is at least eighteen (18) years of age. License exempt providers must also complete Declaration of Exemption from TrustLine Registration and Health and Safety Self-Certification form (CCP1) or Health and Safety - Certification for license-exempt providers form (CCP4). c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). Following 5 CCR 18230, the contractor shall maintain in its file the following records concerning in-home care providers: (a) a description of the caregiver's qualifications and work experience obtained during a personal interview with the caregiver; (b) a declaration by the caregiver that he or she is in good health; (c) a signed statement from the parent verifying that the parent has interviewed and approved of the caregiver; (d) a California driver's license number or other valid and recognized form of identification to verify that the caregiver is at least eighteen (18) years of age. License-exempt providers must also complete Declaration of Exemption from TrustLine Registration and Health and Safety Self- Certification form (CCP1) or Health and Safety Self-Certification for license- exempt providers form (CCP4).