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: A child six weeks up to 18 months of age. b. Toddler. Describe: A child 18 months up to 3 years of age. c. Preschool. Describe: A child 3 years of age or older who has not attended kindergarten. d. School-Age. Describe: A child who attends school. 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 for 4 infants. Group size: Infant group size is currently 12. ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1 adult for 6 toddlers. Group size: The Lead Agency received preliminary monitoring on April 20, 2024. The Lead Agency will be in compliance by October 1, 2024. The Lead Agency requires the licensee to ensure that the group size meets the emotional and physical needs consistently and promptly. Group size needs to be small enough to be able to immediately investigate cries, engage in play activities with each child every day, change wet or soiled diapers immediately, and conduct toilet training in the manner agreed upon with the parent. The licensee must be able to promptly evacuate all children within the group safely, including any children with special needs. Regulations require each room to have at least 35 square feet of activity space per child, not including bathrooms, kitchen, office, passageways, storage, or space occupied by cribs, cots, or built-in cabinets. The center must have space for children’s activities, napping, and free play. The activity space must have furnishings to accommodate all activities and age-appropriate needs of all children in care. The program must have one operable toilet and one operable sink per 15 children, and the group size of any age group cannot exceed this requirement. The State Fire Marshal or delegated authority determines the occupant capacity. However, the Lead Agency has the final determination of capacity when issuing a child care license and may include evaluation of other factors that influence determination. There are times when the Lead Agency has approved a license capacity that is less than what was originally approved from the State Fire Marshal or delegated authority. Group size cannot exceed the center’s capacity, which is determined by the square footage requirement and appropriate usable space for child care programming. As part of every inspection, the Lead Agency’s Child Care Inspection Specialist takes count of how many children are actively in care at the time of the inspection by doing a physical count and reviewing attendance calendars. This, along with working staff on site, are compared to the approved building capacity. This information is available in every written inspection summary. iii. Preschool. Ratio: 1 adult for 10 children aged 3, and 1 adult for 12 children aged 4 and up who have not attended kindergarten. Group size: The Lead Agency received preliminary monitoring on April 20, 2024. The Lead Agency will be in compliance by October 1, 2024. The Lead Agency requires the licensee to ensure that the group size meets the emotional and physical needs consistently and promptly. The licensee must be able to promptly evacuate all children within the group safely, including any children with special needs. Regulations require each room to have at least 35 square feet of activity space per child, not including bathrooms, kitchen, office, passageways, storage, or space occupied by cribs, cots, or built-in cabinets. The preschool must have space for children’s activities. The activity space must have furnishings to accommodate all activities and age-appropriate needs of all children in care. The program must have one operable toilet and one operable sink per 15 children, and the group size of any age group cannot exceed this requirement. The State Fire Marshal or delegated authority determines the occupant capacity. However, the Lead Agency has the final determination of capacity when issuing a child care license and may include evaluation of other factors that influence determination. There are times when the Lead Agency has approved a license capacity that is less than what was originally approved from the State Fire Marshal or delegated authority. Group size cannot exceed the preschool’s capacity, which is determined by the square footage requirement and appropriate usable space for child care programming. As part of every inspection, the Lead Agency’s Child Care Inspection Specialist takes count of how many children are actively in care at the time of the inspection by doing a physical count and reviewing attendance calendars. This, along with working staff on site, are compared to the approved building capacity. This information is available in every written inspection summary. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1 adult for 15 school-age children. Group size: The Lead Agency received preliminary monitoring on April 20, 2024. The Lead Agency will be in compliance by October 1, 2024. The Lead Agency requires the licensee to ensure that the group size meets the emotional and physical needs consistently and promptly. The licensee must be able to promptly evacuate all children within the group safely, including any children with special needs. Regulations require each room to have at least 35 square feet of activity space per child, not including bathrooms, kitchen, office, passageways, storage, or space occupied by cribs, cots, or built-in cabinets. The center must have space for children’s activities. The activity space must have furnishings to accommodate all activities and age-appropriate needs of all children in care. The program must have one operable toilet and one operable sink per 15 children, and the group size of any age group cannot exceed this requirement. The State Fire Marshal or delegated authority determines the occupant capacity. However, the Lead Agency has the final determination of capacity when issuing a child care license and may include evaluation of other factors that influence determination. There are times when the Lead Agency has approved a license capacity that is less than what was originally approved from the State Fire Marshal or delegated authority. Group size cannot exceed the center’s capacity, which is determined by the square footage requirement and appropriate usable space for child care programming. As part of every inspection, the Lead Agency’s Child Care Inspection Specialist takes count of how many children are actively in care at the time of the inspection by doing a physical count and reviewing attendance calendars. This, along with working staff on site, are compared to the approved building capacity. This information is available in every written inspection summary. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: Children in Child Care Centers are grouped according to ages. Those ages and staff-to-child ratios are set forth in 392 Neb. Admin. Code (NAC) § 3-0006.15C. Compliance with staff-to-child ratios is determined on a center-wide basis. When mixed-age groups are in use, the most restrictive staff-to-child ratios must be met at all times. For example, rooms where care is being provided to infants must maintain a 4-to-1 ratio at all times and follow all of the other supervision requirements for Infant care, as these are the most restrictive regulations. If no children ages 6 weeks to 18 months are present in care, then the next most restrictive regulations for the ages of children in care would need to be followed. In any room where a child is receiving care, there must be at least one teacher who is involved in the direct care of the child, including when a child is napping. Group size: The Lead Agency received preliminary monitoring on April 20, 2024. The Lead Agency will not be in compliance by October 1, 2024. School Age Only Child Care centers have mixed ages with the previously mentioned 1 staff for 15 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. [ ] Not applicable. There are no differences in ratios and group size requirements. ii. Infant: Nebraska does not have license exempt center-based child care programs who receive CCDF funds. iii. Toddler: Nebraska does not have license exempt center-based child care programs who receive CCDF funds. iv. Preschool: Nebraska does not have license exempt center-based child care programs who receive CCDF funds. v. School-Age: Nebraska does not have license exempt center-based child care programs who receive CCDF funds. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: Nebraska does not have license exempt center-based child care programs who receive CCDF funds. c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: 1 adult for 4 infants. Group size: See Mixed-Age Groups Ratio explanation. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: 1 adult for 8 toddlers. Group size: See Mixed-Age Groups Ratio explanation. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: 1 adult for 8 preschool-age children. Group size: See Mixed-Age Groups Ratio explanation. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: 1 adult for 10 school-age children. Group size: See Mixed-Age Groups Ratio explanation. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Nebraska identifies two family child care providers: Family Child Care Home I (FCCHI) and Family Child Care Home II (FCCHII). The following explains infant group sizes for each; FCCHI: The maximum group size is 8 infants if only infants are in care, 2 staff are required if more than 4 infants are present. If the program provides care for mixed ages, a group size of 8 children is allowed with 3 infants, if no more than 2 infants are under 12 months of age. If the program provides care for mixed ages, a group size of 10 children is allowed with 2 school-age children during non-school hours if no more than 2 of the other children in care are identified as infants. FCCHII: The maximum group size is 12 infants if only infants are in care, 2 staff are required if more than 4 infants are present, and 3 staff are required if more than 8 infants are present. If the program provides care for mixed ages and only has 1 staff, the group size can be 10, however, they are limited to 2 infants and the 9th and 10th child must be school age. If the program provides care for mixed ages, and 2 staff are present, the group size can be 12, but no more than 2 infants are allowed under 12 months of age. Group size: Nebraska identifies two family child care providers: Family Child Care Home I (FCCHI) and Family Child Care Home II (FCCHII). The following explains infant group sizes for each; FCCHI: The maximum group size is 8 infants if only infants are in care, 2 staff are required if more than 4 infants are present. If the program provides care for mixed ages, a group size of 8 children is allowed with 3 infants, if no more than 2 infants are under 12 months of age. If the program provides care for mixed ages, a group size of 10 children is allowed with 2 school-age children during non-school hours if no more than 2 of the other children in care are identified as infants. FCCHII: The maximum group size is 12 infants if only infants are in care, 2 staff are required if more than 4 infants are present, and 3 staff are required if more than 8 infants are present. If the program provides care for mixed ages and only has 1 staff, the group size can be 10, however, they are limited to 2 infants and the 9th and 10th child must be school age. If the program provides care for mixed ages, and 2 staff are present, the group size can be 12, but no more than 2 infants are allowed under 12 months of age. 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. License-exempt family child care home providers can serve a maximum of three children from different families or six children from one family, not to exceed a total of six children including any children in the provider’s household under the age of 13. [ ] 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: Nebraska does not license in-home care. Group size: Nebraska does not license in-home care. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Nebraska does not license in-home care. Group size: Nebraska does not license in-home care. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Nebraska does not license in-home care. Group size: Nebraska does not license in-home care. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Nebraska does not license in-home care. Group size: Nebraska does not license in-home care. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable) Ratio: Nebraska does not license in-home care. Group size: Nebraska does not license in-home care. 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. The Lead Agency funds in- home child care with state dollars; no CCDF funds or state matching funds are used. This service is only available to children who have a special need or childhood illness, families with three or more children needing child care, or families that require child care during non-traditional hours. The provider is not able to care for their own children, or any other children outside of the household who has been identified as eligible, while providing this service. Care is limited to the number of children in the authorized family’s household. 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: Child Care Center- Certificated Teachers: An individual who holds a valid Nebraska Teaching certificate and who is employed as a staff member or used as a volunteer at a licensed child care center that is on the premises of an accredited or approved school will be considered to have met the qualifications. Non-Certificated Teachers: An individual who is not a certificated teacher must be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and must meet one of the following requirements: 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 2. Hold an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 3. Have a Child Development Associate Credential; or 4. Have a high school diploma or GED; and (1) 1,500 verified clock hours of experience in organized group activities for young children as indicated by a positive reference from a former employer or supervisor; or (2) Submit a written plan for Department approval to acquire at least 3 credit hours or 45 clock hours of training in administration, early childhood education, education, or child/youth development, in a period not to exceed six months. School Age Only Child Care Center ￿ Certificated Teachers: An individual who holds a valid Nebraska Teaching certificate and who is employed as a staff member or used as a volunteer at a licensed school-age-only center that is on the premises of an accredited or approved school will be considered to have met the qualifications. Non-Certificated Teachers: An individual who is not a certificated teacher must be at least 18 years of age, of good moral character, and must meet on of the following requirements: 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 2. Hold an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 3. Have a Child Development Associate Credential; or 4. Have a high school diploma or GED; and (1) 1,500 verified clock hours of experience in organized group activities for school-age children as indicated by a positive reference from a former employer or supervisor; or (2) Submit a written plan for Department approval to acquire at least 3 credit hours or 45 clock hours of training in administration, early childhood education, education, or child/youth development, in a period not to exceed six months. 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: Child Care Center: The director must be at least 19 years of age, of good moral character, and must meet one of the following requirements: 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 3. Have an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 4. Have a Child Development Associate Credential; 5. Have completed 6 credit hours or 36 clock hours of Department-approved training in administration, early childhood education, education, or child/youth development. Business courses may be included, not to exceed on-half of the credit or clock hour requirements; or 6. Have a high school diploma or GED and 3,000 verified clock hours of experience in organized group activities for young children as indicated by a positive reference from a former employer or supervisor. School Age Only Child Care Center: The director must be at least 19 years of age, of good moral character, and must meet one of the following requirements: 1. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 2. Hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and at least 6 credit hours in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 3. Have an associate’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, education, or child/youth development; 4. Have a Child Development Associate Credential; 5. Have completed 6 credit hours or 36 clock hours of Department-approved training in administration, early childhood education, education, or child/youth development. Business courses may be included, not to exceed on-half of the credit or clock hour requirements; or 6. Have a high school diploma or GED and 3,000 verified clock hours of experience in organized group activities for school age children as indicated by a positive reference from a former employer or supervisor. 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 provider must be at least 19 years of age, not engage in or have a history of behavior injurious to or which may endanger the health or morals of children, be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien lawfully present in the U.S.; and be able to understand and become familiar with licensing regulations; support staff must be at least 16 years of age. In addition, a Primary Provider in a Family Child Care Home II must be on the child care premises a sufficient number of hours to permit adequate attention to the management of the Family Child Care Home II. 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: Nebraska does not have Licensed in-home care providers. 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. Nebraska does not have CCDF-eligible license exempt center-based child care programs. b. License-exempt home-based child care. License exempt CCDF in-home child care providers must be 19 years of age, not engage in or have a history of behavior injurious to or which may endanger the health or morals of children, be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien lawfully present in the U.S., and be able to understand and become familiar with CCDF regulations. Providers must meet all the standards set forth in 392 Neg. Admin. Code Chapter 4. Providers must complete Prepare to Care Health and Safety Orientation, maintain current certification of pediatric First Aid and CPR training and complete 4 hours of ongoing training annually. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). The Lead Agency does not fund this category of care with CCDF funds. License exempt CCDF in-home child care providers must be 19 years of age, not engage in or have a history of behavior injurious to or which may endanger the health or morals of children, be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien lawfully present in the U.S., and be able to understand and become familiar with CCDF regulations. Providers must meet all the standards set forth in 392 Neg. Admin. Code Chapter 4. Providers must complete Prepare to Care Health and Safety Orientation, maintain current certification of pediatric First Aid and CPR training and complete 4 hours of ongoing training annually.