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 to age 1 year (12 months) b. Toddler. Describe: 12 months to age 3 years (up to 3rd birthday) c. Preschool. Describe: 3 years (upon 3rd birthday) to age 6 years (up to 6th birthday) d. School-Age. Describe: 6 years (upon 6th birthday) to age 13 years (up to 13th birthday) 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 for children 0-8 months and 1:6 for children 9-11 months. Group size: 8 for children 0-8 months and 12 for children 9-11 months. ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1:6 for children 12-23 months and 1:9 for children 24-35 months. Group size: 12 for children 12-23 months and 18 for children 24-35 months. iii. Preschool. Ratio: 1:12 for children 35-47 months; 1:13 for children 48-59 months; and 1:18 for children 5 years - 5 years & 11 months. Group size: 24 for children 35-47 months; 26 for children 48-59 months; and 36 for children 5 years - 5 years & 11 months. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:18 for children 6 to 12 years. Group size: 36 for children 6 to 12 years. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: If a licensee of a child care facility cares for children of different age groups as described the licensee shall abide by the required staff to child ratio and group size based on the age of the youngest child in the group. Group size: If a licensee of a child care facility cares for children of different age groups as described the licensee shall abide by the required staff to child ratio and group size based on the age of the youngest child in the group. 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: N/A iii. Toddler: N/A iv. Preschool: N/A v. School-Age: For our license-exempt OST and OSR Before and After School programs, the Ratio is 1:20 and the Group Size is 40. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: N/A c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: For FCCs: 1:2 for 0-11 months. For GFCCs: 1:2 for 0-11 months. Group size: For FCCs: 2 for 0-11 months. An FCC provider cannot provide care for more than two (2) children who are less than 1 year of age at any given time. For GFCCs: 12 for 3 years and older. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: For FCCs: 1:4 for 1 year-3 years For GFCCs: 1:4 for 1 year-3 years Group size: For FCCs: 4 for 1 year-3 years. For GFCCs: 8 for 1 year-3 years. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: For FCCs: 1:6 for 3 years and older For GFCCs: 2:6 for 3 years and older Group size: For FCCs: 6 for 3 years and older. For GFCCs: 12 for 3 years and older. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: For FCCs: 1:6 for 3 years and older For GFCCs: 2:6 for 3 years and older Group size: For FCCs: 6 for 3 years and older. For GFCCs: 12 for 3 years and older. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: If a licensee of a child care facility cares for children of different age groups as described the licensee shall abide by the required staff to child ratio and group size based on the age of the youngest child in the group. Group size: If a licensee of a child care facility cares for children of different age groups as described the licensee shall abide by the required staff to child ratio and group size based on the age of the youngest child in the group. 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. For our license-exempt FFN population, the ratio is 1:4 with a group size of four (4) for any age. [ ] 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 care in Nevada is provided by license-exempt FFN providers. FFN providers can be a relative or non- relative and may provide services in the child’s home (in-home) or in their own home (out-of-home) for up to four (4) children. FFN providers who offer in-home services must care for a minimum of two (2) subsidy-enrolled children to be eligible as an in-home provider. Ratio is 1:4 and Group Size = 4. 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: Per NAC 432A.306, Every caregiver in a child care facility must: (a) Be at least 16 years of age; (b) Be able to summon help in an emergency; (c) Be emotionally and physically qualified to carry out a program which places emphasis on the development of children; and (d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, within 90 days after the caregiver commences employment in the child care facility, apply with The Nevada Registry or its successor organization, and annually renew his or her registration before the date on which it expires. Not more than 50 percent of the caregivers in a child care center, a child care institution, or an early care and education program may be under 18 years of age. Qualifications also include initial and annual training hours for: CPR, First Aid, Symptoms of Illness/Blood Borne Pathogens, SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma-if working with children under 1, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, 3 hours of Child Development specific to the age group served by the facility, Administration of Medication, Building and Physical Premises Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Wellness, and Transportation if the facility transports children. 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: Per NRS 432A.1773 a Director is required to have the following: A licensee of a child care facility, or a person appointed by the licensee, who is responsible for the daily operation, administration or management of a child care facility must: (a) Be at least 21 years of age and: (1) Hold an associate’s degree or a higher degree in early childhood education and have at least 1,000 hours of verifiable experience in a child care facility; (2) Hold an associate’s degree or a higher degree in any field other than early childhood education, have completed at least 15 semester hours in early childhood education or related courses and have at least 2,000 hours of verifiable experience in a child care facility; (3) Hold a high school diploma or, if approved by the Administrator of the Division of Public and Behavioral Health, a general educational development certificate, have completed at least 15 semester hours in early childhood education or related courses and have at least 3,000 hours of experience in a child care facility; (4) Hold a current credential as a ￿Child Development Associate￿ with an endorsement for preschool age children or infants or toddlers, as appropriate, which has been issued by the Council for Professional Recognition, or its successor organization, and have at least 2,000 hours of verifiable experience in a child care facility; or (5) Have a combination of education and experience which, in the judgment of the Administrator of the Division Welfare and Supportive Services, is equivalent to that required by subparagraph (1), (2), (3) or (4); (b) Have at least 1,000 verifiable hours in an administrative position or have completed a course or other training in business administration; and (c) Within 90 days after the licensee or person appointed by the licensee commences service as the director of a child care facility, apply to The Nevada Registry or its successor organization, and annually renew his or her registration before the date on which it expires. 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: Per NAC 432A.306, Every caregiver in a licensed child care facility must: (a) Be at least 16 years of age; (b) Be able to summon help in an emergency; (c) Be emotionally and physically qualified to carry out a program which places emphasis on the development of children; and (d) Except as otherwise provided in subsection 5, within 90 days after the caregiver commences employment in the child care facility, apply with The Nevada Registry or its successor organization, and annually renew his or her registration before the date on which it expires. Not more than 50 percent of the caregivers in a licensed child care center, a child care institution, or an early care and education program may be under 18 years of age. Qualifications for licensees and their staff also include initial and annual training hours for: CPR, First Aid, Symptoms of Illness/Blood Borne Pathogens, SIDS and Shaken Baby Syndrome/Abusive Head Trauma-if working with children under 1, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, 3 hours of Child Development specific to the age group served by the facility, Administration of Medication, Building and Physical Premises Safety, Emergency Preparedness, Wellness, and Transportation if the facility transports children. 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: All CCDF-eligible providers must provide proof they are 1) at least 18 years of age; 2) a U.S citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident; 3) provide a photo ID and proof of Social Security card; 4) have a working landline telephone for emergency situations at the location where care is being provided; 5) provide verification of home address; 6) complete a Background Disclosure Form; 7) report any public assistance received from any state, city, or county agency using the Notice to Report Form; 8) complete the Employers Responsibility Form; 9) complete the Parent/Provider Agreement; 10) complete the Provider Service Agreement; and 11) complete required health and safety training as outlined in State Plan section 5.3. 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. All CCDF-eligible providers must provide proof they are 1) at least 18 years of age; 2) a U.S citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident; 3) provide a photo ID and proof of Social Security card; 4) have a working landline telephone for emergency situations at the location where care is being provided; 5) provide verification of home address; 6) complete a Background Disclosure Form; 7) report any public assistance received from any state, city, or county agency using the Notice to Report Form; 8) complete the Employers Responsibility Form; 9) complete the Parent/Provider Agreement; 10) complete the Provider Service Agreement; and 11) complete required health and safety training as outlined in State Plan section 5.3. b. License-exempt home-based child care. All CCDF-eligible providers must provide proof they are 1) at least 18 years of age; 2) a U.S citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident; 3) provide a photo ID and proof of Social Security card; 4) have a working landline telephone for emergency situations at the location where care is being provided; 5) provide verification of home address; 6) complete a Background Disclosure Form; 7) report any public assistance received from any state, city, or county agency using the Notice to Report Form; 8) complete the Employers Responsibility Form; 9) complete the Parent/Provider Agreement; 10) complete the Provider Service Agreement; and 11) complete required health and safety training as outlined in State Plan section 5.3. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). All CCDF-eligible providers must provide proof they are 1) at least 18 years of age; 2) a U.S citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident; 3) provide a photo ID and proof of Social Security card; 4) have a working landline telephone for emergency situations at the location where care is being provided; 5) provide verification of home address; 6) complete a Background Disclosure Form; 7) report any public assistance received from any state, city, or county agency using the Notice to Report Form; 8) complete the Employers Responsibility Form; 9) complete the Parent/Provider Agreement; 10) complete the Provider Service Agreement; and 11) complete required health and safety training as outlined in State Plan section 5.3.