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: Children from birth to 12 months of age b. Toddler. Describe: Children from 1 year up to 3 years of age c. Preschool. Describe: Children from 3 years up to 5 years of age d. School-Age. Describe: Children who are at least 5 years of age by September 1 of the beginning of school year and who attends grades kindergarten or above, as defined in the DCF School-age Child Care Facility Handbook, Rule 65C-22.008(5), F.A.C. 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: 1:4 Group size: Maximum of 12 ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1:6 for children age 1 year to 2 years of age; 1:11 for children age 2 years to 3 years of age Group size: Maximum of 12 for children age 1 year to 2 years of age; maximum of 22 for children age 2 years to 3 years of age iii. Preschool. Ratio: 1:15 for children age 3 years to 4 years old; 1:20 for children age 4 years to 5 years old Group size: Maximum of 30 for children age 3 years to 4 years old; maximum of 40 for children age 4 years to 5 years old iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:25 Group size: Maximum of 50 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: When children 2 years of age and older are in care, the staff-to- children ratio is based on the age group with the largest number of children within the group (s. 402.305(4)(a)7., F.S.). Where children under one year of age are included, one staff member shall be responsible for no more than four children of any age group, at all times. Where children one year of age but under two years of age are included, one staff member shall be responsible for no more than six children of any age group, at all times (DCF Rule 65C-22.001(6), F.A.C.). Group size: In groups of mixed age ranges, where children under two years of age are included, the group size may not exceed 12 children. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children two years of age or older are included, the group size for the majority population present within the group applies. (Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., SR Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook, Section 2.2. 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. [x] Not applicable. There are no differences in ratios and group size requirements. ii. Infant: iii. Toddler: iv. Preschool: v. School-Age: vi. Mixed-Age Groups: c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: Family day care homes - 1:4; Large family day care homes - 2:8 Group size: Family day care homes - A maximum of four children birth through 12 months of age; Large family day care homes - A maximum of eight children from birth to 24 months of age ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Family day care homes - 1:6; Large family day care homes - 2:8 Group size: Family day care homes - A maximum of six children, with no more than three children birth to 12 months of age; Large family day care homes - A maximum of eight children from birth to 24 months of age. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Family day care homes - 1:6; Large family day care homes - 2:12 Group size: Family day care homes - A maximum of 6 preschool children if they are all older than 12 months of age; Large family day care homes - A maximum of 12 children, with no more than four children under 24 months of age. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Family day care homes - 1:10; Large family day care homes - 2:12 Group size: Family day care homes - A maximum of 10 children if no more than five are preschool age and of those five, no more than two are under 12 months of age; Large family day care homes - A maximum of 12 children, with no more than four children under 24 months of age v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Family day care home ratio is based on one caregiver (operator or substitute) and allows a maximum of 10 children (1:10) if no more than five are preschool age, and of those five, no more than two are under 12 months of age. Large family day care home ratio is based on two caregivers (operator and an employee) and allows a maximum of 12 children (2:12) with no more than 4 children under 24 months of age. (s. 402.302(8), F.S.). Group size: Family day care home ratio is based on one caregiver (operator or substitute) and allows a maximum of 10 children if no more than five are preschool age, and of those five, no more than two are under 12 months of age. Large family day care home ratio is based on two caregivers (operator and an employee) and allows a maximum of 12 children with no more than 4 children under 24 months of age. (Rule 6M- 4.620, F.A.C., SR Program Health and Safety Standards Handbook, Section 2.2). d. Are any of the responses above different for license-exempt family child care homes? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt providers vary by age of children served. [ ] 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 (informal) providers do not require licensure, but if these providers choose to contract for CCDF they may only care for up to five children from the same family. 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: Minimum child care personnel requirements are established in s. 402.305(2)I, F.S., for licensed programs, and in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., for all CCDF providers. A person under the age of 21 is prohibited from being the operator of a child care facility and a person under the age of 16 from being employed at such facility unless such person is under direct supervision and is not counted for the purposes of computing the personnel-to-child ratio for licensed and CCDF providers. There are no minimum education requirements for personnel. However, pursuant to Chapter 65C-22, F.A.C., all child care personnel in licensed facilities must successfully complete ’CF's 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training, which is divided into two parts and must be completed within 15 months from the individual’s industry start date. Part I is comprised of 30 hours of training and covers: - Child care facility rules and regulations; - Health, safety, and nutrition; - Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect; - Child growth and development; and - Behavioral observation and screening. Part II is comprised of 10 hours of training: - Understanding Developmentally Appropriate Practices AND one (1) of the following: - Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practices - Preschool Appropriate Practices - School-Age Appropriate Practices OR - Special Needs Appropriate Practices. All child care personnel working in a licensed program must also complete a single course of training in early literacy and language development of children age birth through 5 years of age that is a minimum of five-clock-hours. School-age child care personnel are exempt from the training requirement of five clock hours of early literacy and language development of children from birth to 5 years of age. All licensed and CCDF child care personnel must complete fire extinguisher training within their first 30 days of employment. Additional training requirements for licensed and CCDF providers based on the services provided by the facility: - All child care personnel must take safe sleep training within 30 days of employment if the program provides infant care services. - Personnel that participate in transportation activities must complete transportation training prior to participating in the transport of children. - Personnel that administer medication must be educated on proper administration procedures prior to administering medication. First Aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification is required for licensed and CCDF providers for a minimum of 3 staff on site at the facility and may increase based on the number of child care personnel in direct supervision of children to meet staff to child ratios pursuant to the DCF Child Care Facility Handbook, Chapter 65C-22.001(6),F.A.C. All child care personnel working a CCDF funded program must take the Safety in the SR Program course to be compliant with pediatric first aid and CPR training requirements within 90 days of employment. Annual in-service training requirements for all licensed and CCDF child care personnel include a minimum of 10-clock-hours of training concentrating on one of 22 designated training topic areas set in s. 402.305(2)(d)(4), F.S., and Chapter 65C-22.001(6), F.A.C. All CCDF providers must complete preservice training requirements established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete. The following are active credential requirements for CCDF providers: - In infant classrooms where there are five to eight children present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential (Child Development Associate (CDA) or its equivalent), as recognized by DCF. In infant classrooms where there are nine to 12 children present, two of the three teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have active credentials. - In classrooms where seven to 12 toddler children aged 1 year old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. - In classrooms where 12 to 22 toddler children aged 2 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. - In classrooms where 16 to 30 preschool children aged 3 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. - In classrooms where 21-40 preschool children aged 4 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. - In classrooms where 26 to 50 school-age children ages 5 and older are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. 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: Pursuant to s. 402.305(2), F.S., every licensed child care facility must have a credentialed director. The director credential core requirements include the following: active staff credential; accredited high school diploma or GED; 30 clock-hour introductory course in child care, which covers state and local rules and regulations governing child care, health, safety and nutrition, identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect; child development; developmental behaviors; early literacy and language development of children from birth to 5 years of age; and eight hours of in-service training regarding children with developmental disabilities. To obtain a level I Director’s Credential, the core requirements must be fulfilled along with the completion of an approved ￿Overview of Child Care Management￿ course or a Director Credential issued by another state. To obtain a level II Director’s Credential, all of level I requirements must be fulfilled as well as a minimum of one year experience as an on-site child care director in a licensed child care facility or a child care facility that is legally exempt from licensure. To obtain an advanced level Director’s Credential, all of level II requirements must be fulfilled along with an Associates Degree or higher or at least two three college credit courses in one of the following curriculum areas: - Child Care Education Organizational Leadership - Child Care Educational Financial and Legal Issues - Child Care Education Programming 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 CCDF providers must complete preservice training requirements established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete. Pursuant to DCF Rules Chapter 65C-20, F.A.C., for licensed child care homes, and Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., for all CCDF child care homes, the operator of a large family day care home must be at least 21 years of age and both the additional full-time employee and designated substitute must be at least 18 years of age. There are no minimum education requirements for family day care home personnel. However, a large family day care home must first have operated as a licensed family day care home for two years, with an operator who has had a CDA credential or its equivalent for one year. Prior to licensure and prior to caring for children, the operator of a family day care home must show evidence of completion of DCF's 30 clock-hour Family Day Care Home training, covering state and local rules and regulations governing child care; health, safety, and nutrition; identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect; child growth and development; developmental behaviors. In addition, operators must complete a minimum of five clock-hours of training in early literacy and language development of children ages birth through 5 years. Annual in-service training requirements include a minimum of 10 clock-hours of training concentrating on children ages birth through 12 and in one of 22 designated training topic areas set in ss. 402.313, 402.3131, F.S., and DCF Rule 65C- 20.008(6), F.A.C. Additionally, within six months of licensure the operator of a large family day care home must complete 10 clock-hours of specialized training. All child care home operators, substitutes, and employees of large family day care homes must complete fire extinguisher training within 30 days of the date of hire. Additional training requirements based on the services provided by the home include safe sleep training if the home provides infant care services within 30 days of the date of hire and medication administration/ storage if the home administers medication to children in care. First Aid/CPR certification is required for the home operator, substitute, and employees of large family day care homes. 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: Informal providers are not licensed, regulated or registered in the State of Florida. There are only license-exempt informal providers that contract for the SR program. License-exempt in-home (informal) CCDF providers must comply with the same provider qualification requirements as a licensed home, established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., and complete preservice training requirements within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete. 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. All CCDF providers, including license exempt providers, must complete preservice training requirements established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete. Additional active credential requirements are as follows: in infant classrooms where there are five to eight children present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential (Child Development Associate/CDA or its equivalent), as recognized by DCF. In infant classrooms where there are nine to 12 children present, two of the three teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential. In classrooms where seven to 12 toddler children aged 1 year old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. In classrooms where 12 to 22 toddler children aged 2 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential. In classrooms where 16 to 30 preschool children aged 3 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. In classrooms where 21-40 preschool children aged 4 years old are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential. In classrooms where 26 to 50 school-age children ages 5 and older are present, one of the two teachers needed to meet ratio requirements must have an active credential, as recognized by DCF. b. License-exempt home-based child care. License-exempt family day care home CCDF providers must comply with the same provider qualification requirements as a licensed home, established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., and complete preservice training requirements within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). License-exempt in-home (informal) CCDF providers must comply with the same provider qualification requirements as a licensed home, established in Rule 6M-4.620, F.A.C., and complete preservice training requirements within 90 days of employment and may not be unsupervised with children in care until preservice training requirements are complete.