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 who is less than 12 months old. b. Toddler. Describe: A child between the ages of twelve (12) months and thirty-six (36) months. c. Preschool. Describe: A child between the ages of two and five years old. d. School-Age. Describe: A child attending kindergarten, elementary and secondary education. 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 staff for 5 children (1:5) Group size: 10 ii. Toddler. Ratio: Age 12-24 months: 1 staff for 6 children (1:6) Age 24-36 months: 1 staff for 10 children (1:10) Group size: Age 12-24 months: 12 Age 24-36 months: 20 iii. Preschool. Ratio: Age 3-4 years: 1 staff for 12 children (1:12) Age 4-5 years: 1 staff for 14 children (1:14) Group size: Age 3-4 years: 24 Age 4-5 years: 28 iv. School-Age. Ratio: Age 5-7 years: 1 staff for 15 children (1:15) Age 7 and older: 1 staff for 25 children (1:25) before or after school Age 7 and older: 1 staff for 20 children (1:20) full day of care Group size: Age 5-7 years: 30 Age 7 and older: 30 (for before or after school and full day of care) v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: The age of the youngest child in the group shall determine the staff to child ratio and maximum group size Group size: The age of the youngest child in the group shall determine the staff to child ratio and maximum group size 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: License-exempt center-based providers do not receive CCDF funds, therefore ratios and group sizes are not determined by our regulations. iii. Toddler: License-exempt center-based providers do not receive CCDF funds, therefore ratios and group sizes are not determined by our regulations. iv. Preschool: License-exempt center-based providers do not receive CCDF funds, therefore ratios and group sizes are not determined by our regulations. v. School-Age: License-exempt center-based providers do not receive CCDF funds, therefore ratios and group sizes are not determined by our regulations. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: License-exempt center-based providers do not receive CCDF funds, therefore ratios and group sizes are not determined by our regulations. c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: 1 staff for 4 children Group size: 10 maximum ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: 1 staff for 10 children Group size: 10 maximum iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: 1 staff for 10 children Group size: 10 maximum iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: 1 staff for 10 children Group size: 10 maximum v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Maximum number of unrelated children in the care of a certified family child care provider shall not exceed six at any one time. A provider may care for four related children in addition to six unrelated children for a maximum child care capacity of 10 at any one time. Citation: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/922/002/100/ Group size: 1 staff for 10 children 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. A registered relative child care provider is not subject to licensure or certification by the state or federal government but must meet all requirements of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) as outlined in 922 KAR 2:180. Registered providers must meet the minimum health, safety and training requirements specific to registered relative providers and not live within the same household as the child. Citation: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/922/002/180/ During hours of operation, a registered relative child care provider shall not care for more than: six (6) children receiving CCAP per day or a total of (8) children inclusive of the providers own children. [ ] 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. A registered relative child care provider is not subject to licensure or certification by the state or federal government but must meet all requirements of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) as outlined in 922 KAR 2:180. Registered providers must meet the minimum health, safety and training requirements specific to registered relative providers and not live within the same household as the child. Citation: https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/922/002/180/ During hours of operation, a registered relative child care provider shall not care for more than: six (6) children receiving CCAP per day or a total of (8) children inclusive of the providers own children. Registered relative providers can provide care in the child's home or the provider's home. The location of care is determined based on the type of initial application. 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: 922 KAR 2:090 Child Care Licensing Requirements Section 11. Staff Requirements Child-care center staff hired after January 1, 2009, who have supervisory power over a minor and are not enrolled in secondary education are required to have a: High school diploma; GED or qualifying documentation from a comparable educational entity; or Commonwealth Child Care Credential as described in 922 KAR 2:250; and prior to employment and every two (2) years thereafter: A statement from a health professional that the individual is free of active tuberculosis; or a copy of a negative tuberculin results. For a child-care center licensed for infant, toddler, or preschool-age children, at least one (1) person on duty and present with the children shall be currently certified by a cabinet-approved training agency in Infant and child cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and Infant and child first aid. For a child-care center licensed for school-age children, at least one (1) person on duty and present with the children shall be currently certified by a cabinet- approved training agency in the following skills: Adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and First Aid. Please note: While it is required that one (1) person present and on duty is certified, per 922 KAR 2:120 all staff must be trained in first aid and CPR specific to the served age group. DCC provides this in Orientation as well as a standalone, on- demand training. A staff person with supervisory authority over a must also obtain: Six (6) hours of cabinet-approved orientation completed within the first three (3) months of employment in a child care program; Nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training within the first year of employment in a child care program, including on and on-half (1 ½) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training. After their first year, they must obtain fifteen (15) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training completed between July 1 and the following June 30 of each subsequent year of employment in a child care center, including pediatric abusive head trauma training completed additionally every five (5) years. 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: 922 KAR 2:090 Child Care Licensing Requirements Section 10. Director Requirements and Responsibilities. A director must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age, have a high school diploma, a general equivalency diploma (GED), or qualifying documentation from a comparable educational entity. A director cannot be employed in a position other than an onsite child care director, or director of multiple facilities, during the hours the child-care center is in operation. They must ensure: Compliance with 922 KAR 2:120, 922 KAR 2:280 and the designation of one (1) adult staff person in charge to carry out the director's duties if the director is not present in the child-care center during operating hours. The director shall be responsible for the actions of the designee during the director's absence. Directors will manage the staff in their individual job descriptions, assure the development, implementation, and monitoring of child-care center plans, policies, and procedures, supervise staff conduct to ensure implementation of program policies and procedures, post a schedule of daily activities, to include dates and times of activities to be conducted with the children in each classroom, conduct, manage, and document in writing recurring staff meetings, assess each staff person's interaction with children in care and classroom performance through an annual written performance evaluation, assure that additional staff are available during cooking and cleaning hours, if necessary, to maintain staff-to-child ratios pursuant to 922 KAR 2:120. They will notify the parent immediately of an accident or incident requiring medical treatment of a child, assure that a person acting as a caregiver of a child in care shall not be left alone with a child, if the licensee has not received the results of the background checks as established in 922 KAR 2:280, assure each mandatory record specified in Section 9 of this administrative regulation has not been altered or falsified, coordinate at least one (1) annual activity involving parental or family participation, not have had previous ownership interest in a child-care program that had its certification, license, or registration denied or revoked. The director of a Type I child-care center must meet one (1) of several options for educational/experience requirements as listed in 922 KAR 2:090 Section 10 (2). This can include formal education in related or unrelated fields, with additional experience, credentials and certifications. (https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/law/kar/titles/922/002/090/REG/) 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: 922 KAR 2:090 Child Care Licensing Requirements Section 11. Staff Requirements (Licensed Type II Family Child Care) For each adult residing at a Type II child-care center, the results of the following shall be maintained on file at the center: Background checks conducted in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; and a copy of negative tuberculin results or a health professional's statement documenting that the adult is free of tuberculosis. Every two (2) years, the adult shall provide negative tuberculin results or health professional's statement documenting that the adult is free of tuberculosis. If a new adult begins residing in a Type II child-care center, the adult shall submit to background and health checks within thirty (30) calendar days of residence within the household. A staff person with supervisory authority over a child shall complete the following: Six (6) hours of cabinet-approved orientation completed within the first three (3) months of employment in a child care program, nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training within the first year of employment in a child care program, including one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of cabinet approved pediatric abusive head trauma training, and fifteen (15) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training completed between July 1 and the following June 30 of each subsequent year of employment in a child care program, including one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training completed once every five (5) years. For Certified Family child care homes per 922 KAR 2:100: Section 2 Upon application to become certified, a provider must submit: a high school diploma, general equivalency diploma (GED), or documentation from a comparable educational entity; or Commonwealth Child Care Credential in accordance with 922 KAR 2:250. An applicant must be currently certified by an agency approved in accordance with 922 KAR 2:240 in infant, child, and adult CPR and First Aid. 922 KAR 2:100 Section 10: Standards for the Provider Between July 1 and June 30 of each subsequent year of operation, a provider shall complete at least nine (9) hours of cabinet-approved early care and education training, including one and one-half (1 1/2) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training completed once every five (5) 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: Registered relative child care providers can provide care in the child's home, but are related to the child in care. Registered relative providers must complete Pediatric Abusive Head Trauma training and be certified in CPR and First Aid for their served age groups. Registered relative providers must comply with KARES background checks when caring for children in the providers home. KARES background checks must be completed for anyone over the age of 18 who reside in the home. 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. License exempt centers are not regulated by DCC, and therefore are not eligible for CCAP/CCDF funding. b. License-exempt home-based child care. A registered relative child care provider is not subject to licensure or certification by the state or federal government but must meet all requirements of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) as outlined in 922 KAR 2:180. Registered relative child care providers must meet the minimum health, safety and training requirements specific to registered relative providers and not live within the same household as the child. Registered relative providers can provide care in their home or the child's home. Per 922 KAR 2:180, Section 2: Applicants must provide: Proof by photo identification or birth certificate that the individual is eighteen (18) years or older and verification of Social Security number. They must also have completed background checks in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; and verification that the individual has completed the cabinet-approved training on billing and the DCC-94E required by 922 KAR 2:160. Within ninety (90) calendar days of submitting an application to be a registered relative child care provider in CCAP pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the applicant shall provide verification that the applicant has obtained training approved by the cabinet or its designee in the areas of recognition of child abuse and neglect, which shall include one and one-half (1.5) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training and age-appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certified by a training agency that has been approved by the cabinet as providing research-based and scientific best practices. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). A registered relative child care provider is not subject to licensure or certification by the state or federal government but must meet all requirements of the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) as outlined in 922 KAR 2:180. Registered relative child care providers must meet the minimum health, safety and training requirements specific to registered relative providers and not live within the same household as the child. Registered relative providers can provide care in their home or the child's home. Per 922 KAR 2:180, Section 2: Applicants must provide: Proof by photo identification or birth certificate that the individual is eighteen (18) years or older and verification of Social Security number. They must also have completed background checks in accordance with 922 KAR 2:280; and verification that the individual has completed the cabinet-approved training on billing and the DCC-94E required by 922 KAR 2:160. Within ninety (90) calendar days of submitting an application to be a registered relative child care provider in CCAP pursuant to subsection (1) of this section, the applicant shall provide verification that the applicant has obtained training approved by the cabinet or its designee in the areas of recognition of child abuse and neglect, which shall include one and one-half (1.5) hours of cabinet-approved pediatric abusive head trauma training and age-appropriate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certified by a training agency that has been approved by the cabinet as providing research-based and scientific best practices.