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: Any facility operated on a regular basis whether known as a day nursery, nursery school, kindergarten, child play school, progressive school, child development center, day care center, pre-school, or known under any other name which receives children, not of common parentage, younger than seven years old, or younger than 16 years old if such children have disabilities, for non-residential custody and care during part or all of the day separate from their parent(s). 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: Any individual that provides care in a private residence during part or all of the day for children younger than 14 years old or children younger than 16 years old if such children have disabilities. 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: We do not license our ICC providers. 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. Providers that are part of a public or private school system, care that is instructional in nature, such as a child enrolls for a particular class, care where the parent is in the classroom, occasional or drop-in centers or certain summer camps are exempt. 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. EEC does not license a program that is instructional where the child takes the lesson and then leaves, such as a religious school. If the care is occasional or drop-in, there is no licensing. This is defined as not attending more than 6 days/month in the center and for a maximum of 4 hours per day. Care is also exempt if the parent is in the room or close by, such as a religious service, where the parent is able to continue to provide parenting to the child, such as diaper change or emotional care. Certain summer camps are limited in time for the summer only and are regulated by the Commonwealth’s Department of Public Health. iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. Programs that are part of a private or public school are required to meet the health and safety standards set by the MA Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and/or the municipality in which the program is located. The MA Department of Public Health sets the health and safety standards for summer camps and monitors these programs for compliance. The local board of health issues the camp permits and completes the inspection. 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. EEC does not have 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. EEC does not have license-exempt family child care providers. iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. EEC does not have license- exempt family child care providers. 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. An informal child care (ICC) provider may be a neighbor or a friend of the parent who agrees to offer child care. 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 ICC can care for up to five siblings in the children’s home. No more than three of the five children may be under the age of two, provided that at least one child is fifteen months of age and walking independently. All other children shall be older than 24 months iii. Describe how the exemptions for these CCDF-eligible providers do not endanger the health, safety, and development of children. EEC requires the ICC provider to obtain a background record check, complete the EEC Essentials Training and complete both CPR and First Aid training. Annual visits are conducted to review the ICC provider’s adherence to Health and Safety standards.