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at risk of having no child care options available to them. These exempt programs receiving CCDF are monitored annually by the Lead Agency, which ensures that all staff working in these programs have met Criminal Record Check requirements, have attended pre-service orientation, and have met training requirements; an emergency preparedness, response, and recovery plan is in place; and ensures that the program is meeting the health and safety standards defined by the Lead Agency. Data from previous monitoring efforts show that programs in these categories are substantially meeting the Georgia core rules around health and safety. In addition, all exempt programs are required to notify families that they are not licensed to ensure the families are fully informed that the program is not subject to the rules and regulations for licensed facilities. iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. To ensure that these exemptions do not endanger children receiving CCDF services, the Lead Agency has the following policies/requirements in place. Exempt programs are required to: post a notification that their program is exempt from licensing; obtain a form signed by parents acknowledging that they know the program is exempt from licensing requirements; and post the Lead Agency phone number and website address for parents to see. Additionally, exempt programs are required to: ensure the Lead Agency has their current contact information; submit copies of policies, advertisements, and parental agreement forms to the Lead Agency to verify that the program functions as an exempt program; notify the Lead Agency of any changes in their accreditation and other changes in the program that may affect the program's exempt status; maintain children's attendance records and parents' signed forms that acknowledge that the program is not licensed.

Exempt programs are inspected annually and must provide care that meets state health and safety standards as reflected in the health and safety monitoring checklists. The checklist can be found at: https://caps.decal.ga.gov/assets/downloads/CAPS/Appendix_GG- Exempt%20Provider%20Checklist.pdf and includes an evaluation of: activities and equipment, physical plant (bathroom, building, hazards, etc.), playgrounds, records (children, staff, training, criminal background checks, policies and procedures), discipline, hygiene, medication, staffing and supervision, playgrounds, required reporting, diapering, transportation and field trips, and safe sleep procedures. In addition, regional and state authorities such as the Department of Public Health, state and local fire marshal, and local building and zoning officials continue to have authority to inspect and approve these programs. The Lead Agency also has the authority to rescind an exemption if a program fails to meet the requirements.

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. N/A 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