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: 0 through 17 months b. Toddler. Describe: 18 through 35 months c. Preschool. Describe: 3 through 5 years d. School-Age. Describe: at least 5 years but less than 12 years of age 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 adult:4 children Group size: 10 children ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1 adult:5 children Group size: 15 children iii. Preschool. Ratio: Center & Group Licenses: 3 years old = 1 adult:7 children, 4 years old = 1 adult:10 children, 5 years old = 1 adult:12 children Preschool License: 2 years old = 1 adult:6 children, 3 years old = 1 adult:11 children, 4 years old = 1 adult:3 children, 5 years old = 1 adult:6 children Group size: Center and Group in a Facility Licenses: 3 years old = 20 children, 4 years old = 25 children, 5 years old = 30 children Preschool License: Groups of 10 children that include 2-year-olds, must have 1 director/teacher and at least 1 staff member. Groups of 20 children that include 3-year-olds, must have 1 director/teacher and at least 1 staff member. Groups of 24 children that include 4￿6-year-olds, must have 1 director/teacher and at least 1 staff member. iv. School-Age. Ratio: Center and Group = 1 adult: 20 children Group size: Center License = 40 children Group License = 30 children School Age License = 30 children v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: When there is a mixed-aged group, the number of children in each age category is multiplied by the corresponding ratio number, converted to decimal form, and carried to the nearest hundredth. Age group decimals are calculated as follows: (1) For children less than eighteen months of age, one staff member may care for four children, a ratio of .25 in decimal form; (2) For children eighteen months of age to thirty-six months of age, one staff member may care for five children, a ratio of .20 in decimal form; (3) For children three years of age to four years of age, one staff member may care for seven children, a ratio of .14 in decimal form; (4) For children four years of age to five years of age, one staff member may care for ten children, a ratio of .10 in decimal form; (5) For children five years of age to six years of age, one staff member may care for twelve children, a ratio of .08 in decimal form; and (6) For children six years to twelve years of age, one staff member may care for twenty children, a ratio of .05 in decimal form. To determine the number of staff members responsible for caring for or teaching children necessary at any given time, numbers of staff members for all age categories are added, and any fractional staff member count is then rounded to the next highest whole number whenever the fractional staff member count amounts to thirty-five hundredths or more. If lower than thirty-five hundredths, the fractional amount is dropped. No more than four children under the age of eighteen months per staff member are allowed in any mixed-aged group. Group size: When there are mixed-age groups in the same room, the operator shall ensure: the maximum group size is consistent with the: (a) Age of the majority of the children; or (b) Highest number of children in the youngest age group; When children age zero to eighteen months are in the mixed-age group, the maximum group size does not exceed ten children; The mixed-age group does not exceed the acceptable ratio and the maximum number of children per staff member; and If the mixed-age group contains the maximum number of children per staff member, the mixed-age group may only contain additional older children. 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 & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. - OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. Group size: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. -OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. - OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. Group size: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. -OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Family and Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider’s own children. - OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months plus 2 school age children, including provider’s own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. Group size: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. -OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. - OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. Group size: Family & Group License: Maximum of 4 children under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. -OR- Maximum of 7 children of which no more than 3 are under the age of 24 months, plus 2 school age children, including provider's own children. If space and staffing allow, Group Licenses may follow ratio and group size of mixed-age groups. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Group License: When there is a mixed-aged group, the number of children in each age category is multiplied by the corresponding ratio number, converted to decimal form, and carried to the nearest hundredth. Age group decimals are calculated as follows: (1) For children less than eighteen months of age, one staff member may care for four children, a ratio of .25 in decimal form; (2) For children eighteen months of age to thirty-six months of age, one staff member may care for five children, a ratio of .20 in decimal form; (3) For children three years of age to four years of age, one staff member may care for seven children, a ratio of .14 in decimal form; (4) For children four years of age to five years of age, one staff member may care for ten children, a ratio of .10 in decimal form; (5) For children five years of age to six years of age, one staff member may care for twelve children, a ratio of .08 in decimal form; and (6) For children six years to twelve years of age, one staff member may care for twenty children, a ratio of .05 in decimal form. To determine the number of staff members responsible for caring for or teaching children necessary at any given time, numbers of staff members for all age categories are added, and any fractional staff member count is then rounded to the next highest whole number whenever the fractional staff member count amounts to thirty-five hundredths or more. If lower than thirty-five hundredths, the fractional amount is dropped. No more than four children under the age of eighteen months per staff member are allowed in any mixed-aged group. Group size: Group License: When there are mixed-age groups in the same room, the operator shall ensure: the maximum group size is consistent with the: (a) Age of the majority of the children; or (b) Highest number of children in the youngest age group; When children age zero to eighteen months are in the mixed-age group, the maximum group size does not exceed ten children; The mixed-age group does not exceed the acceptable ratio and the maximum number of children per staff member; and If the mixed-age group contains the maximum number of children per staff member, the mixed-age group may only contain additional older 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. Self-declared providers have a ratio of 1 adult:5 children with a maximum group size of 5 children, of which no more than 3 may be under 24 months. [ ] 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. In-home providers have a ratio of 1 adult:5 children with a maximum group size of 5 children, of which no more than 3 may be under 24 months. 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: Licensed center-based care CENTER/GROUP/SCHOOL AGE TEACHER/CAREGIVER: North Dakota law states that all staff must complete specific trainings, including pediatric CPR/AED/First Aid, a department-approved basic child care course within ninety days of employment, a safe sleep training course completed annually if working with infants, mandated reporter of child abuse and neglect completed annually in addition to annual training hours. 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: CENTER LICENSE: Hold at least one of the following qualifications: OPTION ONE: A bachelor's degree in the field of early childhood education or child development; OPTION TWO: A bachelor's degree with at least six months of experience in a child care center or similar setting and one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department-approved early childhood education or child development; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department-approved early childhood training; or (3) A director's credential approved by the department; OPTION THREE: An associate's degree in the field of early childhood education or child development with at least six months of experience in a child care center or similar setting; OPTION FOUR: An associate's degree with at least one year of experience in a child care center or similar setting and one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department-approved early childhood education or child development; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department-approved early childhood training; or (3) A director's credential approved by the department; OPTION FIVE: A teaching certificate in elementary education with at least six months of experience in a child care center or similar setting; OPTION SIX: A current certification as a child development associate or successful completion of a department-approved diploma program with emphasis in early childhood or child care, with at least one year of experience in a child care center or similar setting; or OPTION SEVEN: Certification from a Montessori teacher training program with at least one year of experience in a Montessori school, child care center, or similar setting and at least one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department-approved child development or early childhood education; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department-approved early childhood training; or (3) A director's credential approved by the department. SCHOOL AGE LICENSE: Hold at least one of the following qualifications: OPTION ONE: A bachelor's degree in the field of early childhood education, child development, or elementary education; OPTION TWO: A bachelor's degree with at least six months of experience in a school-age child care program or similar setting and one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department-approved early childhood education, child development, or elementary education; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department-approved early childhood training; or (3) A director's credential approved by the department; OPTION THREE: An associate degree in the field of early childhood education or child development with at least six months of experience in a school- age child care program or similar setting; OPTION FOUR: An associate's degree with at least one year of experience in a school-age child care program and one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department- approved early childhood education, child development, or elementary education; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department-approved early childhood training; or 7(3) A director's credential approved by the department; OPTION FIVE: A current certification as a child development associate or similar status with at least one year of experience in a school-age child care program or similar setting; OPTION SIX: Certification from a Montessori teacher training program with one year of experience in a Montessori school, school-age child care program, or similar setting, and at least one of the following: (1) Eight semester hours or twelve quarter hours of department-approved child development, early childhood education, or elementary education; (2) One hundred twenty hours of department- approved early childhood training; or (3) A director's credential approved by the department. 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 and Group: A provider shall: 1. Be at least eighteen years of age; 2. Certify completion of a department-approved basic child care course within ninety days of licensure; 3. Certify completion of a minimum of nine hours of department-approved training related to child care annually, including one hour on mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect. The same training courses may be counted toward licensing annual requirements only if at least three years has passed since the last completion date of that training course, with the exception of safe sleep and mandated reporter annual training; and 4. Certify completion of one hour of department- approved safe sleep training prior to provider providing care to infants and annually thereafter. 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. Self-Declaration Providers shall complete a minimum of three hours of department-approved training annually, including one hour on safe sleep prior to provider providing care to infants and one hour on mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect. The same training courses may be counted toward self-declaration annual requirements only if at least three years has passed since the last completion date of that training course, with the exception of safe sleep and mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect annual training. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). License-exempt in-home providers shall participate in specialized training related to child care if provided by or approved by the department and must complete one hour of department-approved training annually on safe sleep prior to having unsupervised access to infants and one hour on mandated reporter of suspected child abuse or neglect annual training.