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: Licensed child care centers and certified license-exempt centers, 6 weeks to 16 months; licensed family child care and legal non-licensed providers, at least 6 weeks old but less than 12 months old. Licensed family child care also has a newborn category for infants between birth and 6 weeks old. b. Toddler. Describe: Licensed child care centers and certified license-exempt centers, 16 to 33 months; licensed family child care and legal non-licensed providers, a child at least 12 months old but less than 24 months old, except that for purposes of specialized infant and toddler family and group family day care, toddler means a child who is at least 12 months old but less than 30 months old. Note: Minn. R. 9502.0367 creates specialized options for family and group daycare to serve infant and toddlers. The only definition difference is within the toddler age category, as noted here. c. Preschool. Describe: Licensed child care centers and certified license-exempt centers, 33 months to kindergarten; licensed family child care and legal nonlicensed providers, a child who is at least 24 months old up to school age. d. School-Age. Describe: Licensed child care centers, kindergarten through 12 years; certified license-exempt centers, kindergarten through 13 years (with some exceptions for children over 14 who remain eligible for child care assistance or attend a program serving middle school children); licensed family child care and legal non-licensed providers, a child who is at least 5 years of age but younger than 11. 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: Licensed child care centers, 1:4 Group size: Licensed child care centers, 8 ii. Toddler. Ratio: Licensed child care centers, 1:7 Group size: Licensed child care centers, 14. iii. Preschool. Ratio: Licensed child care centers, 1:10 Group size: Licensed child care centers, 20 iv. School-Age. Ratio: Ratio: Licensed child care center, 1:15 Group size: Licensed child care centers, 30 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: When children of different ages are mixed, ratio requirements for the age category of the youngest child in care applies. Group size: When children of different ages are mixed, group size requirements for the age category of the youngest child in care applies. 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: Class B License is an infant/toddler specialized license. B1-allows 5 children under 11 years old to 1 adult with up to a total of 3 preschoolers, toddlers, and infants, in any combination., a B2 allows 6 total children under 11 years old to 1 adult, with up to 4 children who are under school age with no more than 2 being infants. If a provider cares for their own newborn, the newborn is counted in the ratios. If a provider cares for a newborn who is not their own child and there is not another adult caregiver, the provider may not care for any additional infants and can only care for up to 2 other children. Group size: B1-5 children, B2-6 total children. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Class B License is an infant/toddler specialized license. B1-allows 5 children under 11 years old to 1 adult with up to a total of 3 preschoolers, toddlers, and infants, in any combination., a B2 allows 6 total children under 11 years old to 1 adult, with up to 4 children who are under school age with no more than 2 being infants. If a provider cares for their own newborn, the newborn is counted in the ratios. If a provider cares for a newborn who is not their own child and there is not another adult caregiver, the provider may not care for any additional infants and can only care for up to 2 other children. Group size: B1-5 children, B2-6 total children 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 Ratio: A Class A license allows 10 children to 1 adult of those children, 6 can be under school age and no more than 3 can be infants and toddlers with no more than 2 being infants. A Class C1 license allows a total of 10 children to 1 adult with 8 children under school age, with no more than 3 being infants and toddlers and no more than 2 being infants. A C2 license allows a total of 12 children to one adult with a total of 10 under school age with no more than 2 being infants and toddlers and no more than 1 being an infant. A C3 license allows a total of 14 children to 2 adults, with a total of 10 children being under school age and no more than 4 being infants and toddlers and no more than 3 being infants. Note: The number of preschool and school age children in the ratio depends on the number of infants and toddlers being served. For example, a Class A license serving no infants and no toddlers could have up to 6 preschoolers and 4 school age children with 1 adult. Group size: Class A-10 total children, Class C1-10 total children, C2-12 total children, C3-14 total 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. Legal non-licensed provider can care for up to eight children age 12 and younger and children ages 13-14 with special needs due to a disability and authorized to receive child care assistance. The total number of children who are 12 years of age and younger must include the legal nonlicensed child care provider’s own children when the child care providers’ own children are present at the child care site. The limit of eight children who are 12 years of age and younger and ages 13-14 with special needs due to a disability and authorized to receive child care assistance applies at all times to the child care site. Within the limitation of eight children, the following age distributions are required for legal nonlicensed providers: No more than two children who are at least six weeks old but less than 12 months old; No more than three children who are less than 24 months old; and no more than six children age five or younger. The number of preschool and school age children in the ratio depends on the number of infants and toddlers being served. For example, a legal nonlicensed provider serving no infants and no toddlers could have up to 6 preschoolers and 2 school age children with 1 adult. A legal nonlicensed provider serving no infants, no toddler and no preschoolers could have up to 8 school age children with 1 adult. [ ] 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. Legal nonlicensed provider can care for up to eight children age 12 and younger and children ages 13-14 with special needs due to a disability and authorized to receive child care assistance. The total number of children who are 12 years of age and younger must include the legal nonlicensed child care provider's own children when the child care provider's own children are present at the child care site. The limit of eight children who are 12 years of age and younger and ages 13-14 with special needs due to a disability and authorized to receive child care assistance applies at all times to the child care site. Within the limitation of eight children, the following age distributions are required for legal nonlicensed providers: No more than two children who are at least six weeks old but less than 12 months old; No more than three children who are less than 24 months old; and no more than six children age five or younger. The number of preschool and school age children in the ratio depends on the number of infants and toddlers being served. For example, a legal nonlicensed provider serving no infants and no toddlers could have up to 6 preschoolers and 2 school age children with 1 adult. A legal nonlicensed provider serving no infants, no toddler and no preschoolers could have up to 8 school age children with 1 adult. 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 education and experience requirements: A teacher with certain credentials must have the appropriate education and experience described as follows: (1) A high school or General Education Development (GED) diploma. Experience: 4,160 hours as assistant teacher. Education: 24 quarter credits; (2) A diploma from Association Montessori Internationale; preprimary credential, primary diploma, without a baccalaureate degree. Experience: 2,080 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern. Education: 12 quarter credits; (3) A preprimary credential, primary diploma, or provisional certificate from the American Montessori Society; or diploma from the Association Montessori Internationale with a baccalaureate degree. Experience: 1,040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern. Education: no additional required; (4) A Minnesota technical institute certificate as a Child Development Assistant. Experience: 2,080 hours as an assistant teacher. Education: six quarter credits; (5) A Child Development Associate credential (center based or family child care) for preschool or for infants and toddlers from the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. Experience: 1,560 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern. Education: no additional required; (6) A license from the Minnesota Department of Education for Prekindergarten Associate; or a certificate or credential for a two-year program from an accredited community college or technical college in child development or early childhood education. Experience: 1,040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern. Education: six quarter credits; (7) A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in any field. Experience: 1,040 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern. Education: 18 quarter credits; (8) A license from the Minnesota Department of Education for Elementary education without kindergarten endorsement. Experience: 520 hours as assistant teacher, aide, or student intern if teaching children under school age. Education: six quarter credits within one year of initial employment if teaching children under school age; (9) A license from the Minnesota Department of Education for prekindergarten/nursery, or a license form the Minnesota Department of Education for elementary education with a kindergarten endorsement. Experience: no additional required. Education: no additional required. In addition to the above teacher qualifications, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse qualifies as a teacher for infant care only. Assistant Teacher qualifications: Assistant teachers must be at least 18 years of age. Minnesota's assistant teacher qualifications are not age group specific. There are various combinations of education and experience that qualify, described as follows: (1) A high school or General Education Development (GED) equivalency. Experience: 2,080 hours as an aide or student intern. Education: 12 quarter credits; (2) A Minnesota license as a family child care or group family child care provider. Experience: 2,080 hours as a licensed family child care or group family child care provider. Education: 12 quarter credits; (3) A diploma from Association of Montessori Internationale or preprimary credential, primary diploma, or provisional certificate from the American Montessori Society. Experience: 520 hours as an aide or student intern. Education: three quarter credits; (4) A Minnesota technical institute certificate as a Child Development Assistant. Experience: 520 hours as an aide or student intern. Education: no additional required; (5) Two year full-time postsecondary education from a college or university. Experience: 1,040 hours as an aide or student intern. Education: nine quarter credits; (6) A Child Development Associate credential, center based or for family child care, form the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition. Experience: no additional required. Education: no additional required; (7) A Baccalaureate degree in any field from an accredited college or university. Experience: no additional required. Education: nine quarter credits; (8) A certificate or credential for a two-year program in child development or early childhood education at a Minnesota community college or technical college. Experience: no additional required. Education: no additional required; (9) A license from the Minnesota Department of Children Families and Learning for Prekindergarten Associate. Experience: no additional required. Education: no additional required. In addition to the above assistant teacher qualifications, a registered nurse or licensed practical nurse qualifies as an assistant teacher for infant care only. 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: A child care center director must be: at least 18 years old; a graduate of a high school or hold an equivalent diploma attainted through successful completion of the general education development (GED) test; have at least 1,040 hours of paid or unpaid staff supervision experience; and have at least nine quarter credits or 90 hours earned in any combination of accredited courses in staff supervision, human relations, or child development. Please note, there is no variation in director qualifications for licensed child care centers, including licensed CCDF child care centers, based on the ages of children in care. 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: A licensed family child care provider must be at least 18 years of age and physically able to care for children, as documented by a physical examination from a licensed physician within 12 months prior to licensure. A licensed "group family child care" provider must be an adult and physically able to care for children, as documented by a physical examination from a licensed physician within 12 months prior to initial licensure. In addition a group family child care provider must meet the qualifications in items A, B, or C, described as follows: (A) A minimum of one years' substantial compliance as a licensed family child care provider; or (B) A minimum of six months' substantial compliance as a family child care provider, and (1) Completion of an accredited competency based family child care training and assessment program offered by an accredited institute; or (2) Thirty hours of child care, health, and nutrition training, and a minimum of 520 hours of experience as an assistant teacher, student teacher, or intern in an elementary school or licensed child care center, or as an assistant adult caregiver in a licensed group family child care home; or (3) Thirty hours of child development or early childhood education training, as specified in part, and a minimum of 520 hours of experience as a licensed practical or registered nurse; or (4) Certification or licensure indicating: (1) Completion of a two year child development or early childhood education associate or certificate program at an accredited college or university; or (2) Completion of a nine month child development assistant program at an accredited technical college; or (3) A current Level I or Level II prekindergarten license from the Department of Education; A kindergarten through sixth grade teaching degree from an accredited university or college that includes a minimum 30 hours of child development training; or (5) Documentation of a minimum of six months satisfactory experience as a fulltime teacher at a state licensed group day care center. 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. Certified license-exempt centers require the following qualifications for a director and staff persons. The director must be 18 years of age or older and have completed at least 16 hours of training in any of the following topic areas: child development and learning; developmentally appropriate learning experiences; relationships with families; assessment, evaluation, and individualization; historical and contemporary development of early childhood education; professionalism; and health, safety, and nutrition. A staff person must be 16 years of age or older before providing direct, unsupervised care to a child. b. License-exempt home-based child care. Legal nonlicensed providers must meet the following requirements to be paid by the Child Care Assistance Program: be at least 18 years of age; not be a member of the MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) assistance unit, or a member of the family applying for or receiving child care assistance; not live in the same home as the child whose family is applying for or receiving child care assistance; provide child care only to related children and/or provide child care to children from a single unrelated family at one time; have current certification in pediatric First Aid and pediatric CPR; meet additional training requirements if applicable; not be excluded or debarred in another department program; not be determined disqualified from providing direct care services through the background study process; register with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. MFIP is Minnesota's TANF program. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). Legal nonlicensed providers must meet the following requirements to be paid by the Child Care Assistance Program: be at least 18 years of age; not be a member of the MFIP (Minnesota Family Investment Program) assistance unit, or a member of the family applying for or receiving child care assistance; not live in the same home as the child whose family is applying for or receiving child care assistance; provide child care only to related children and/or provide child care to children from a single unrelated family at one time; have current certification in pediatric First Aid and pediatric CPR; meet additional training requirements if applicable; not be excluded or debarred in another department program; not be determined disqualified from providing direct care services through the background study process; register with the Department of Children, Youth and Families. MFIP is Minnesota's TANF program.