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 ages birth to 18 months. b. Toddler. Describe: Children ages 18 months to 24 months. c. Preschool. Describe: A child who is 2 years of age and older who does not attend kindergarten or a higher grade. d. School-Age. Describe: A child who is 5 years of age who attends school in grade Kindergarten or higher. 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: 1:3 Group size: 6 ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1:3 Group size: 9 iii. Preschool. Ratio: 2 year olds: 1:6; Three to four year olds 1:10 Group size: Two year olds: 12; Three to four year olds: 20. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:15 Group size: 30 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: A mixed age group with infants or toddlers, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Group includes 1 or 2 infants, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 3 or more infants, maximum group size of 6, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 1 or 2 toddlers, maximum group size of 12, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 3 toddlers, 9, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 4 or more toddlers, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 3 staff members; and Group includes no infants, 1 or 2 toddlers, and 6 or more 2 year olds, maximum group size of 12, with a minimum of 3 staff members. In a mixed-age group with preschool children: The group size may not exceed 20 children; If the group contains preschool children 3 years old or older, the staff-to-child ratio is 1 to 10; If the group size is 13 to 20 children, the group may not contain more than six 2- year-olds; and If the group contains children who are 2 years old and the group size varies, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Group Composition Group Size Minimum Staffing Level: Group includes one to three 2-year-old children, maximum group size 7 to 10, with a minimum of 1 staff member; Group includes four or more 2-year-old children, maximum group size 7 to 10, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes one to three 2-year- old children, maximum group size 13 to 20, with a minimum of 2 staff members; and Group includes four to six 2-year-old children, maximum group size 13 to 20, with a minimum of 3 staff members. School-Age Groups: In a group where 3-year-old and 4-year-old children, enrolled in a public or nonpublic school, are mixed with school-age children, the following minimum staffing levels and maximum group size requirements apply: Group includes up to five children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 30, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 1 assistant or aide; Group includes 6 to 9 children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 30, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 2 assistants or 1 school-age teacher, 1 assistant and 1 aide; Group includes 6 to 9 children, 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size 25, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 1 assistant or aide; and Group includes 10 or more children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 20, with a minimum of 1 preschool teacher and 1 assistant or aide. Group size: A mixed age group with infants or toddlers, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Group includes 1 or 2 infants, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 3 or more infants, maximum group size of 6, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 1 or 2 toddlers, maximum group size of 12, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 3 toddlers, 9, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes 4 or more toddlers, maximum group size of 9, with a minimum of 3 staff members; and Group includes no infants, 1 or 2 toddlers, and 6 or more 2 year olds, maximum group size of 12, with a minimum of 3 staff members. In a mixed-age group with preschool children: The group size may not exceed 20 children; If the group contains preschool children 3 years old or older, the staff-to-child ratio is 1 to 10; If the group size is 13 to 20 children, the group may not contain more than six 2- year-olds; and If the group contains children who are 2 years old and the group size varies, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Group Composition Group Size Minimum Staffing Level: Group includes one to three 2-year-old children, maximum group size 7 to 10, with a minimum of 1 staff member; Group includes four or more 2-year-old children, maximum group size 7 to 10, with a minimum of 2 staff members; Group includes one to three 2-year- old children, maximum group size 13 to 20, with a minimum of 2 staff members; and Group includes four to six 2-year-old children, maximum group size 13 to 20, with a minimum of 3 staff members. School-Age Groups: In a group where 3-year-old and 4-year-old children, enrolled in a public or nonpublic school, are mixed with school-age children, the following minimum staffing levels and maximum group size requirements apply: Group includes up to five children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 30, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 1 assistant or aide; Group includes 6 to 9 children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 30, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 2 assistants or 1 school-age teacher, 1 assistant and 1 aide; Group includes 6 to 9 children, 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size 25, with a minimum of 1 school-age teacher and 1 assistant or aide; and Group includes 10 or more children 3 or 4 years old, maximum group size of 20, with a minimum of 1 preschool teacher and 1 assistant or aide. 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 Child Care (FCC) 1:2, Large Family Child Care (LFCC) 1:3 Group size: FCC: 8 children with 2 under age 2 or 8 children with 3 to 4 under age 2, LFCC: 6 ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: FCC 1:2, LFCC 1:3 Group size: FCC: 8 with 2 under age 2 or 8 with 3 to 4 under age 2, LFCC: 9 iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: FCC: 1:8, LFCC: Two year olds 1:6, 3 & 4 year olds 1:10 Group size: FCC: 8, LFCC: 12 iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: FCC: 1:8, LFCC: 1:12 Group size: FCC: 8, LFCC: 12 v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Family Child Care (FCC): 1:8 or 2:8 if 3 to 4 infants are approved for care. Large Family Child Care (LFCC): Groups of Children Younger than 2 Years Old: In a group of children where each child is younger than 2 years old, the following staff/child ratio and maximum group size requirements apply: Infants, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 6; Toddlers, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 9; Infants and toddlers with 1 to 2 infants in the group, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 9; Infants and toddlers with 3 or more infants in the group, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 6. Mixed-Age Groups with Children Younger than 2 Years Old: In a group where children younger than 2 years old are mixed with children 2 years old or older, the following minimum staffing levels and maximum group size requirements apply: Includes 1 or 2 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 1, with a maximum group size of 8; Includes 1 or 2 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 2 staff, with a maximum group size of 12; Includes 3 or 4 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 2, with a maximum group size of 8; and Includes 3 or 4 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 3, with a maximum group size of 12. Mixed-Age Groups with Children 2 Years Old or Older: In a mixed age group with children who are 3 years old or older, the staff to child ratio is 1 to 10; and in mixed-age groups of varying sizes that include children who are 2 years old, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Includes one to three 2-year-old children, group size up to 10, with a minimum staffing level of 1; and Includes four or more 2-year-old children, group size up to 12, with a minimum staffing level of 2. Group size: Family Child Care (FCC): 1:8 or 2:8 if 3 to 4 infants are approved for care. Large Family Child Care (LFCC): Groups of Children Younger than 2 Years Old: In a group of children where each child is younger than 2 years old, the following staff/child ratio and maximum group size requirements apply: Infants, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 6; Toddlers, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 9; Infants and toddlers with 1 to 2 infants in the group, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 9; Infants and toddlers with 3 or more infants in the group, 1 to 3 staff/child ratio, with a maximum group size of 6. Mixed-Age Groups with Children Younger than 2 Years Old: In a group where children younger than 2 years old are mixed with children 2 years old or older, the following minimum staffing levels and maximum group size requirements apply: Includes 1 or 2 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 1, with a maximum group size of 8; Includes 1 or 2 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 2 staff, with a maximum group size of 12; Includes 3 or 4 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 2, with a maximum group size of 8; and Includes 3 or 4 children under the age of 2, minimum staffing level of 3, with a maximum group size of 12. Mixed-Age Groups with Children 2 Years Old or Older: In a mixed age group with children who are 3 years old or older, the staff to child ratio is 1 to 10; and in mixed-age groups of varying sizes that include children who are 2 years old, the following minimum staffing levels apply: Includes one to three 2-year-old children, group size up to 10, with a minimum staffing level of 1; and Includes four or more 2-year-old children, group size up to 12, with a minimum staffing level of 2. d. Are any of the responses above different for license-exempt family child care homes? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt providers vary by age of children served. [x] 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. One adult and six children present in care at the same time; or one adult and two children younger than 2 years old in care at the same time. In determining the maximum child care capacity of an informal care home, the contractor shall count each resident in the home who is younger than 6 years old as a child in care and include them in the one adult per child ratio. 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: Teacher/caregiver qualifications for Infant and Toddler: High school diploma or equivalent; 90 clock hours of approved preservice training; 45 clock hours of approved preservice infant/toddler training; 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communication; approved ADA compliance training; supporting breastfeeding practices; and 1 year of experience. Minimum age: 19 years old. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. Teacher/caregiver qualifications for Preschool: High school diploma or equivalent; 90 clock hours of approved preservice training; 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communication; approved ADA Compliance training; supporting breastfeeding training; and 1 year of experience. Minimum age: 19 years old. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. Teacher/caregiver qualifications for School Age: High school diploma or equivalent; 90 clock hours of approved preservice training; 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communication; approved ADA Compliance training; and 400 hours working primarily with school age children. Minimum age: 19 years old. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. Please note although current Licensing regulations for qualified teachers state the minimum age requirement is 19 years old, due to a change in legislation, effective July 1, 2024 the minimum age requirement was changed to 18 years old. Licensing is in the process of drafting amendments to their regulations to reflect the change. Aide: 1) Be 16 years old or older; 2) Work under the direct supervision of the staff person in charge of the group of children to whom the aide is assigned; 3) Unless an individual hired to work as an aide, has completed 90 clock hours or the equivalent in early childhood education preservice training, the individual shall complete, within 6 months after the date of hire, an orientation session that follows guidelines established by the office and includes, but is not limited to: a) Proper child supervision; b) Workplace professionalism; and c) Interacting with parents. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. 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: In a preschool center with infants or toddlers in care, a director, in addition to meeting the requirements of §§B-D of the regulation, as applicable, shall have: 1. 3 semester hours of approved training, or the equivalent, related exclusively to the care of infants and toddlers; and 2. Effective January 1, 2016, approved training in supporting breastfeeding practices. Directors of Preschool Centers-Specific Requirements: 1) Be at least 21 years old; 2) Hold a high school diploma or equivalent, or have successfully completed at least two courses for credit from an accredited college or university; 3) Have successfully completed 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communicating with staff, parents, and the public, or at least one academic college course for credit; 3 semester hours or their equivalent of approved administrative training, unless approved as a school-age center director in a center authorized to serve only school-age children; and 3 clock hours of approved training in complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act; 4) Have successfully completed 6 semester hours or 90 clock hours, or their equivalent, of approved preservice training, or hold the Child Development Associate National Credential that is issued by the Council for Professional Recognition; and 5) Within 6 months of hire, complete a regulation training that is conducted by the Office of Child Care. 6) Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. (b) Caring for preschoolers as a registered family child care provider. B. In a preschool center with 20 or fewer children, a director shall have completed 1 year of experience: 1. Working primarily with preschoolers in a licensed child care center, nursery school, church-operated school, or similar setting; or 2. Caring for preschoolers as a registered family child care provider. Directors of School-Age Centers-Specific Requirements: A. In a school-age center with a capacity of 60 or fewer children, the director shall have completed at least: (1) 400 hours of experience working under supervision primarily with school-age children in a licensed child care center, public or private school, or a similar setting; or (2) 1 year of experience caring for school-age children as a registered family child care provider. B. In a school age center with a capacity of 61 or more children, the director shall have completed at least: (1) 800 hours of experience working under supervision primarily with school age children in a licensed child care center, public or private school, or similar setting; or (2) 2 years of experience caring for school age children as a registered family child care provider. C. An individual is considered qualified as a director of a school age center if the individual is certified for kindergarten, nursery school through third grade, or grades 1 through 8 by the Department or by the state board of any other state. Specific Requirements for Directors in Combined Preschool and School-Age Centers: A. A preschool center director may have responsibility for the entire center if the center enrolls both preschoolers and school age children. B. A school age center director may have responsibility for the entire center if the center: (1) Does not enroll any infants or toddlers; and (2) Enrolls five or fewer children younger than kindergarten age. b) Licensed CCDF family child care provider. 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: Family Child Care Teacher/caregiver qualifications: CPR/First Aid (age appropriate); SIDS (only if caring for children under age 2); 24 clock hours of approved preservice training, medication administration; emergency and disaster planning training; approved ADA Compliance training and Supporting Breastfeeding Practices. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. A Minimum age: 18 years old. Large Family Teacher/caregiver qualifications for Infants and Toddlers: High school diploma or equivalent; 90 clock hours of approved preservice training; 45 clock hours of approved preservice Infant/Toddler training; 9 clock hours of approved preservice training in communication; 1 year of experience; approved ADA Compliance training; and Supporting Breastfeeding Practices. Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. A Minimum age: 18 years old. Large Family Aide/caregiver qualifications for Preschool and School Age: 1) Be 16 years old or older; 2) Work under the direct supervision of the staff person in charge of the group of children to whom the aide is assigned; 3) Unless an individual hired to work as an aide, has completed 90 clock hours or the equivalent in early childhood education preservice training, the individual shall complete, within 6 months after the date of hire, an orientation session that follows guidelines established by the office and includes, but is not limited to: a) Proper child supervision; b) Workplace professionalism; and c) Interacting with parents. 4) Completion of the Basic Health & Safety training within 90 days of employment. 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: N/A 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. N/A b. License-exempt home-based child care. N/A c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). For License-exempt in-home care (non-relative providers’ care is in the child’s home, relative providers’ care may be in the provider’s home), all providers must be 18 years or older and pass a Criminal Background Check (CBC), both State and Federal, as well as a Child Protective Services Background check (CPC). In addition, they must be CPR certified and pass the Health and Safety Training.