5.1 Licensing Requirements

Each Lead Agency must ensure it has in effect licensing requirements applicable to all child care services provided within the State/Territory (not restricted to providers receiving CCDF funds). 5.1.1 Providers subject to licensing For each category of care listed below, identify the type of providers subject to licensing and describe the licensing requirements. a. Identify the center-based provider types subject to child care licensing: All child development centers that provide care, education, and other services, supervision, and guidance for more than two infants, toddlers, and children who are not related, on a regular basis, are required to be licensed unless specifically exempted. A child development center is a child development facility located on premises other than a dwelling occupied by the operator of the facility. This definition encompasses facilities generally known as child care centers, preschools, nursery schools, before-and-after school programs, and similar programs and facilities. A child development center does not include a public or private elementary or secondary school engaged in legally required educational and related functions or a pre-kindergarten education program licensed pursuant to the Pre-K Act. Are there other categories of licensed, regulated, or registered center providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. b. Identify the family child care providers subject to licensing: All child development homes that provide care, education, and other services, supervision, and guidance for more than two infants, toddlers, and children who are not related, on a regular basis, are required to be licensed unless specifically exempted. A child development home is a private residence that provides care and other services for more than two infants, toddlers, or children who are not related on a regular basis. This includes facilities classified as child development homes and expanded child development homes. Are there other categories of regulated or registered family child care providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. c. Identify the in-home providers subject to licensing: None. In-home providers are license- exempt providers in the District. Are there other categories of regulated or registered in-home providers the Lead Agency does not categorize as license-exempt? [ ] Yes. If yes, describe: [x] No. 5.1.2 CCDF-eligible providers exempt from licensing Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible providers who are exempt from licensing requirements, the types of exemptions, and describe how these exemptions do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. -Relative providers, as defined in CCDF, are addressed in subsection 5.8. a. License-exempt center-based child care. Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible center-based child care providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. The District does not have Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)-eligible license-exempt center-based child care providers. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. N/A iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. N/A b. License-exempt family child care. Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible family child care providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. The District does not have CCDF-eligible license-exempt family child care providers. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. N/A iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. N/A c. In-home care (care in the child’s own home by a non-relative). Describe by answering the questions below. i. Identify the categories of CCDF-eligible in-home care (care in the child’s own home by a non- relative) providers who are exempt from licensing requirements. CCDF-eligible license-exempt in-home care is care provided when all the children in care reside in the home and the caregiver does not live in the home. ii. Describe the exemptions based on length of day, threshold on the number of children in care, ages of children in care, or any other factors applicable to the exemption. The in-home care exemption is based on a child’s residence in the home. iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. In-home care providers must have a provider agreement with the parent, a Provider Agreement for Subsidized Child Care Services with the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), and a current health certificate. Providers are required to be at least 21 years of age. In-home care providers receive an annual unannounced inspection, complete criminal background checks and required health and safety training, and maintain first aid and CPR certifications.