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440 (07/2026) Chapter 2:Eligibility • Section 6: Non-financial eligibility Suspension and expulsion in child care settings DELC recognizes the importance of children’s social, emotional and behavioral health. High-quality early childhood environments and positive experiences nurture social, emotional and behavioral health. Exclusionary practices, such as expulsion and suspension, are negative experiences that hinder children’s development and learning. Providers should develop and clearly communicate preventive guidance, discipline practices, expulsion and suspension policies. Strong partnerships between parents and providers are good for children. By increasing the level of communication between providers and families, we have the opportunity to reduce or prevent expulsion and help children become strong. Home and facility health and safety requirements Providers must ensure the home or facility where care is provided meets the following standards: • All floor levels used by children have two usable exits to the outdoors (a sliding door or window that can be used to evacuate children can be considered a usable exit). If a second floor is used for child care, the provider has a written plan for evacuating occupants in an emergency. • The home or facility has water that is safe to drink. • The home or facility has a working smoke detector on each floor level and in any area where children nap. • Fireplaces, space heaters, electrical outlets, wood stoves, stairways, pools, ponds and other hazards have barriers to protect children. • The building, grounds, toys, equipment and furniture are maintained in a clean, sanitary and hazard-free condition. • Firearms, ammunition and other dangerous items such as medicine, drugs, cleaning supplies, paints, plastic bags, and poisonous and toxic materials are kept in a secure place out of children’s reach. • The home or facility has a working telephone. • No one smokes or uses smokeless tobacco in the home or facility during the hours the child care business is conducted. No one smokes or uses smokeless tobacco in motor vehicles while child care children are passengers. • No one consumes or is under the influence of alcohol or nonprescription controlled substances while child care children are present. • Child care is not conducted in a halfway house, hotel, motel, shelter or other temporary housing such as a tent, trailer or motor home. (This does not apply to licensed care approved in a hotel, motel or shelter.) • Child care is not conducted in a structure designed to be transportable and not attached to the ground, another structure or any utilities on the same premises. Required training for child care providers Providers legally exempt (license exempt) from certification or registration with the Child Care Licensing Division of the DELC must complete an ERDC orientation provided by DELC or a Child Care Resource and Referral agency within 90 days of being approved by DELC if the provider: • Receives payment through the ERDC program on behalf of a subsidy family, and