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: Birth until one year. b. Toddler. Describe: One year until 30 months. c. Preschool. Describe: 30 months until eligible to attend kindergarten. d. School-Age. Describe: A child eligible from kindergarten until 13 years old. 13+ years of age are eligible if a medical condition requires care or there is a court order. 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: 12 ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1:4 Group size: 12 iii. Preschool. Ratio: 24 for children 30 months until three years old. 30 for children ages three years until age four. 36 for children ages four years until school-age. 1:12 and group size 40 Group size: 16 for children 30 months until three years old. 30 for children ages three years until age four. 36 for children ages four years until school-age. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:18 Group size: 36 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: If mixed-ages, ratio is determined by the youngest child. Group size: If mixed-ages, group size is determined by the youngest child. 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: Ratio: 1:6 Group size: Each caregiver can only have four children under 30 months and of the four, only two children can be 18 months or younger. Relative children as defined by Michigan law over the age of 6 years old are not included in this ratio. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: 1:6 Group size: Each caregiver can only have four children under 30 months and of the four, only two children can be 18 months or younger. Relative children as defined by Michigan law over the age of 6 years old are not included in this ratio. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: 1:6 Group size: 6 for children 30 months until three years old. Relative children as defined by Michigan law over the age of 6 years old are not included in this ratio. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: 1:6 Group size: Group size: Up to 6 unrelated children, if all children are school age. Relative children as defined by Michigan law over the age of 6 years old are not included in this ratio. Ratios vary if children under the age 30 months and 18 months are in attendance. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Each caregiver can care for up to 6 children. Group size: For each member of personnel, not more than 4 children shall be under the age of 30 months, with no more than two of the four children under the age of 18 months. Relative children as defined by Michigan law over the age of 6 years old are not included in this ratio. 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. Military and Tribal child care homes: These programs have their own monitoring and licensing rules and determine their own ratio and group sizes. [ ] 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. License exempt unrelated provider: Allowed to care for up to six children at one time and limited to no more than two children under 12 months of age at the same time. 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: R 400.8210 Lead teacher; qualifications; responsibilities. (5) Lead teachers shall have both of the following qualifications: (a) Be not less than 19 years of age. (b) Have a high school diploma or GED. (6) A lead teacher shall meet 1 of the following to qualify: (a) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 1 year of experience. (ii) 3 hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iii) 6 hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (iv) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (b) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 6 months of experience. (ii) 6 semester hours, 9 CEUs, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours of coursework in child care administration, early childhood education, child development, or a child-related field. Up to 30 hours of MiRegistry-approved training may be used to meet these requirements. (iii) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (c) All of the following: (i) A valid child development associate credential, Montessori credential, infant family associate credential, or associate degree or higher in any field of study. (ii) 3 hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iii) 6 hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (7) Small capacity centers are exempt from subrule (6) of this rule. (8) A lead teacher in a small capacity center shall meet 1 of the following to qualify: (a) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 3 months of experience. (ii) 3 hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iii) 6 hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (iv) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (b) Both of the following: (i) 3 semester hours, 4.5 CEUs, or a combination to equal 45 clock hours of coursework in child care administration, early childhood education, child development, or a child-related field or an associate degree or higher in any field of study. Up to 30 hours of MiRegistry-approved training may be used to meet these requirements. (ii) Works for a center that participates in great start to quality. (9) A lead teacher who was qualified on the lead teacher’s date of hire remains qualified as of the effective date of this rule as long as the lead teacher remains continuously employed as a lead teacher at the center or at another licensed center without a break in service of more than 180 days. Any variances approved as of the effective date of this rule remain effective and timeframes required in the variance must be met. Any variance requirements not completed by 4 years after the effective date of this rule must voided. (10) Lead teachers for infants and toddlers shall have 3 semester hours, 4.5 CEUs, or 45 hours of MiRegistry-approved track of infant and toddler development and care practices within 6 months of hire. (11) Verification of the qualifications of each lead teacher must be maintained on file at the center or at the central office 2 years after the effective date of this rule, after which qualifications must be reflected as verified in MiRegistry. 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: R 400.8207 Early childhood center, small capacity child care center, and outdoor nature-based child care center site administrator; qualifications. 9) A program administrator shall have all of the following qualifications: (a) Be not less than 21 years of age. (b) Have a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED). (c) Have not less than 2 semester hours or 3.0 CEUs in child care administration within 6 months of hire. (10) A program administrator is exempt from subrule (2)(c) of this rule if there is a central administrator that complies with both of the following: (a) Meets the requirements of a program administrator in subrule (9) of this rule. (b) Is responsible for subrules (2)(a) and (c) of this rule. (11) A program administrator of a small capacity center shall meet 1 of the following to be qualified: (a) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 1 year of experience. (ii) 3 hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iii) 6 hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (iv) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (b) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 6 months of experience. (ii) 6 semester hours, 9 CEUs, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours of coursework in child care administration, early childhood education, child development, youth development, or a child-related field. Up to 30 hours of MiRegistry-approved training may be used to meet these requirements. (iii) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (c) A valid child development associate credential, Montessori credential, Michigan youth development associate certificate or credential, infant family associate credential, or associate degree or higher in any field of study. (12) A program administrator of an early childhood center or outdoor nature-based child care center shall meet 1 of the following to be qualified: (a) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 3 months of experience. (ii) A valid child development associate credential, Montessori credential, infant family associate credential, or associate degree in a child-related field. (iii) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (b) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 6 months of experience. (ii) An associate degree or higher in any field of study. (iii) 3 hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iv) 6 hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (v) Works in a center that participates in great start to quality. (c) A bachelor’s degree or higher in a child-related field R 400.8410 School-age program administrator qualifications; responsibilities. Rule 410. (1) Before hiring a new school-age program administrator, a licensee or licensee designee shall submit the credentials of the proposed program administrator to the department for review and approval in the manner prescribed by the department.(2) School-age program administrators are responsible for the general management of the center, including the following minimum responsibilities: (a) Developing, implementing, and evaluating program and center policies. (b) Administering day-to-day operations, including being available to address parent, child, and staff issues. (c) Monitoring staff, including annual evaluations. (3) A program administrator can oversee multiple sites if all of the following: (a) The program administrator is immediately available for not less than 3 sessions during 30 consecutive open days within the center. Consecutive open days do not include days that are closed for holidays, planned closed days, or emergency closures. (b) Written documentation of program administrator visits, including dates and times, is maintained. (c) A site administrator is appointed when the program administrator is not on the premises. (4) A program administrator of a single site shall appoint a staff-in-charge when the program administrator is not on the premises and is responsible for supervising the operation of the center including, but not limited to, having the authority to respond to emergencies, inspections, parental concerns, and have access to all required information. (5) A staff-in-charge shall be present at the center during all hours of operation when the program administrator, who is overseeing a single site, is not on the premises. (6) A substitute program administrator shall be appointed for a program administrator who has left employment or has a temporary absence that exceeds 30 consecutive workdays until return or replacement, which must not exceed the agreed-on timeframe. (7) The department shall be notified when a substitute program administrator is appointed. (8) A substitute program administrator shall be not less than 19 years of age, have a GED, and meet 1 of the following to be qualified: (a) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 1 year of experience. (ii) Three hours of MiRegistry approved training in each of the following areas: (A) Program management. (B) Observation, documentation, and assessment. (C) Teaching and learning. (iii) Six hours of MiRegistry approved training in any of the following areas: (A) Interactions and guidance. (B) Challenging behaviors. (C) Trauma informed practices. (iv) Work in a center that participates in great start to quality. (b) All of the following: (i) A minimum of 6 months of experience. (ii) Six semester hours, 9 CEUs, or a combination to equal 90 clock hours of coursework in child care administration, early childhood education, child development, or a child-related field. Up to 30 hours of MiRegistry-approved training may be used to meet these requirements. 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: An applicant or licensee shall be of responsible character and shall be suitable and able to meet the needs of children and provide for their care, supervision, and protection. All persons, including minors, residing in the child care home shall meet all of the following requirements: (a) Be suitable to meet the needs of children. (b) Be able to ensure that services and facilities are conducive to the welfare of children. (c) Act in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children. (d) Demonstrate a willingness and ability to comply with the act and these rules. Child care staff member requirements: (1) 18 years of age or older (2) Before caring for children at a child care home, an individual shall provide the licensee with all the following: (a) A valid certification in infant, child, and adult CPR. (b) A valid certification in first aid. (c) Proof of training in the prevention of infectious disease, including immunizations. (4) A child care staff member shall conduct himself or herself in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children and be able to meet the needs of children and provide for their care, supervision, and protection. Child care assistant requirements: (1) Must have direct supervision at all times by licensee or a child care staff member who is present on site and can observe the child care assistant. This position shall not substitute for the licensee or child care staff member. (2) 14 to 17 years of age. (3) Prior to contact with children, the individual shall be determined by the department to be eligible to serve as a child care assistant and conduct himself or herself in a manner that is conducive to the welfare of children. (4) Within 90 days of hire, a child care assistant shall provide the licensee all the following: (a) A valid certification in infant, child, and adult CPR. (b) A valid certification in first aid. (c) Proof of training in the prevention of infectious disease, including immunizations. 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. These are set by the tribal or military program based on their own rules/regulations. b. License-exempt home-based child care. These are set by the tribal or military program based on their own rules/regulations. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). License exempt unrelated provider requirements: 18 years or older. Providers enrolling for the first time must complete, within 30 days of providing care, the License Exempt Provider Preservice Training (LEPPT). Providers that are re-enrolling must complete the current year Michigan Ongoing Health & Safety Training Refresher before re-enrolling.