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 who is 6 weeks to 12 months of age. b. Toddler. Describe: A child who is 12 months of age to 36 months of age. A younger toddler is a child who is 12 months of age to 24 months of age; an older toddler is a child who is 24 months of age to 36 months of age. For subsidy payment purposes, the ￿older toddler￿ definition applies. c. Preschool. Describe: A child who is at least 36 months of age but not yet eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten or above, before the first day of the current school year. d. School-Age. Describe: A child eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten or above on before the first day of the current school year. This includes the months from the end of the prior school year to the start of the kindergarten school year. 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 Group size: 8. ii. Toddler. Ratio: For centers initially licensed after July 15, 2001: 1:4 for young toddlers; 1:5 for older toddlers. For centers with initial certification on or before July 15, 2001: Infant through 30 months: 1:4. Group size: For centers initially licensed after July 15, 2001: Young toddler: 8; Older toddlers: 10. For centers with initial certification on or before July 15, 2001: 8. iii. Preschool. Ratio: For centers initially licensed after July 15, 2001: 1:10. For centers with initial certification on or before July 15, 2001: Includes children 30 months until eligible for kindergarten at a ratio of 1:10. For outdoor nature-based centers, 1:8. Group size: 20. For outdoor nature-based centers, 16. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:15 For outdoor nature-based centers, 1:10. Group size: 30. For outdoor nature-based centers, 20. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: Mixed Age Ratio table may be used if 16 or fewer children are present at the center and is based on the ages and number of children in care. Ratios must meet the requirements for the youngest age group in the mixed classroom. Group size: Group sized must meet the requirements for the youngest age group in the mixed classroom. 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: 1:4 in Certified Family Child Care. Registered Family Child Care allows for 2 children under age 2 in care. The maximum total ratio is 1:10. The Providers own children count in ratio up to age 10. Group size: For Certified Family Child Care Home, are the maximum group size is the licensed capacity of the home, which can not exceed 16 children. For Registered Family Child Care Home the maximum group size is 10. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: In Certified Family Child Care the ratio is 1:4 for toddlers aged 12 months to 24 months, 1:10 for toddlers aged 25 months to 36 months. For Registered Family Child Care, no more than 2 children under 2 years of age in a group size of 10. The Provider’s own children count in ratio up to age 10. Group size: For Certified Family Child Care Home are the maximum group size is the licensed capacity of the home, which can not exceed 16 children. For Registered Family Child Care Home the maximum group size is 10. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: 1:10 in Certified Family Child Care Home. In Registered Family Child Care the provider may care for 6 preschool children, which includes 2 children under age 2, in a group size of 10. For both Certified and Registered Family Programs child care homes the Providers own children count in ratio up to the age of 10 years old. Group size: For Certified Family Child Care Home are the maximum group size is the licensed capacity of the home, which can not exceed 16 children. For Registered Family Child Care Home the maximum group size is 10. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: 1:15 in a Certified Family Child Care Home. 1:10 in Registered Family Child Care Home. The provider’s own children count in ratio up to age 10. Group size: For Certified Family Child Care Home are the maximum group size is the licensed capacity of the home, which can not exceed 16 children. For Registered Family Child Care Home the maximum group size is 10. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Ratios must meet the requirements for the youngest age group in the mixed classroom. Group size: 16 for Certified Family Child Care Home. 10 for Registered Family Child Care Home. 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. Exempt family home providers may not care for more than three children unless the children are from one family or are related to all children in care. The provider's children do not count as child care children. [ ] 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. A provider is exempt from licensing if caring for three or less children at a time, if the children they care for are all from one family, or if they are related to all children in care. There is no age, ratio, length of day or other factors applicable to this exemption to licensing. 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: A licensed center’s teachers must be at least 18 years of age and have at least 750 hours of qualifying experience in the same age level (infants/toddlers, preschool or School-Age children), or one year or 1,500 hours of qualifying teaching experience in a Registered Family or Certified Family child care, or a minimum of 9 quarter college credits in applicable courses, or an Associate’s degree in early childhood education or a related field, or a state or nationally recognized credential (e.g. CDA). A School-Age teacher must be 18 years of age and have 60 hours experience working in the classroom and 20 clock hours of training in the last five years (five hours in each of 4 different core knowledge categories), or at least 240 hours of qualifying experience working with School-Age children in the last five years in a comparable program, or at least an associate degree in a related field. A licensed School-Age Center program leader must be at least 18 years of age and have 60 hours of experience working in the program and completion of 20 clock hours of training focused on School-Age care in the last 5 years, or at least 240 hours of qualifying work experience, or at least an associate degree in a related field, or at least a Step 6 in the Oregon Registry. A certified Outdoor-Nature Based program teacher must be 18 years of age and have completed 10 hours or one college quarter credit of nature-based education and have additional specific qualifications, depending on the age group they are assigned to work with. For preschool age children, a teacher must have at least 750 hours of teaching experience with preschool age children, 250 of which must be in an outdoor education environment; 1,500 hours of qualifying teaching experience in a Registered Family or Certified Family child care; a minimum of 9 college quarter credits in applicable courses; at least an associate’s degree in an applicable field; a state or nationally recognized credential (e.g., CDA); or at least a Step 6 in the Oregon Registry. For school age children, a teacher must have 60 hours of experience working in the ONB program and completion of 20 clock hours of training focused on School-Age care in the last 5 years; at least 240 hours of qualifying work experience, 80 of which must in an outdoor education environment; at least an associate’s degree in a related field; or at least a Step 6 in the Oregon Registry. 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 licensed center director must be 21 years of age and if the center has a capacity of 20 or fewer children must have a minimum of 1 year as a provider at a certified child care center, or for any size program, must have training or experience in management and supervision of adults (as evidenced by 7 college credit hours in business administration or management or 70 training hours in program management or 300 hours of documented experience); and knowledge of child development for the ages served in the center (a minimum of 7 college quarter credit hours or 70 training hours or 600 additional hours of teaching experience with children the same age as those in the center); or documentation of step 9 on the Oregon Registry. A licensed School-Age Center program coordinator must be at least 21 years of age, meet initial training requirements, and must have knowledge of child development for School-Age children as evidenced by a combination of references, education, experience or training, or completion of 20 clock hours of training focused on School-Age care within the last 5 years. A certified Outdoor Nature-Based Program director must be 21 years of age, have completed 20 hours or 2 college quarter credits of nature-based education training, 250 hours of work experience in an outdoor education environment and, if the program has a capacity of 20 or fewer children must have a minimum of 1 year as a provider at a certified child care center, or for any size program, must have training or experience in management and supervision of adults (as evidenced by 7 college credit hours in business administration or management or 70 training hours in program management or 300 hours of documented experience); and knowledge of child development for the ages served in the center (a minimum of 7 college quarter credit hours or 70 training hours or 600 additional hours of teaching experience with children the same age as those in the center); or documentation of step 9 on the Oregon Registry. 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 Certified Family child care home provider shall be at least 18 years of age if the facility is certified for 12 children; or at least 21 years of age if the facility is certified for more than 12 children; and have at least 1,500 hours of experience in at least three-hour blocks, within a 36 month period with a group of children in an on-going group setting. Such a setting includes a kindergarten, preschool, child care center, certified or registered family child care, Head Start program or equivalent; 20 semester credits or 30 quarter credits of training in a college or university in early childhood education or child development; documentation of at least a step 6 in the Oregon Registry. . If the provider’s teaching experience is based on registered family child care, the maximum capacity of the home will be limited to 12. Prior to applying to be certified for up to 16 children, the provider must complete 1,500 hours of operation as a certified family child care facility with a capacity of 12 or fewer children.. A Registered Family child care provider must be at least 18 years of age and have attended the Introduction to Registered Family child care part one and part two trainings; have completed courses on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect, and safe sleep practices; have current pediatric first aid and CPR certification, food handler’s certification; Foundation for Learning child development training; and have completed the Introduction to child care health and safety class. 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. The director, staff who care for children, and volunteers or those with unsupervised access to children in care must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid pre-service trainings. They must complete 6 hours of ongoing education every two years. Per OAR 414-175-0080(7), requirements to receive subsidy also include: (b) Be 18 years of age or older and meet all of the following: (A) Be enrolled in and not suspended from the Central Background Registry or be in an approved status by the Department; (B) Have competence, sound judgment and self-control when working with children; and (C) Be mentally, physically and emotionally capable of performing duties related to child care. b. License-exempt home-based child care. The non-relative providers must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid pre-service training. Relative providers must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety as a pre-service training. Per OAR 414-175-0080(7), requirements to receive subsidy also include: (b) Be 18 years of age or older and meet all of the following: (A) Be enrolled in and not suspended from the Central Background Registry or be in an approved status by the Department; (B) Have competence, sound judgment and self-control when working with children; and (C) Be mentally, physically and emotionally capable of performing duties related to child care. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). The non-relative providers must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety, Recognizing and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, and Infant/Toddler CPR and First Aid pre-service training. Relative providers must complete the Introduction to Child Care Health and Safety as a pre-service training. Per OAR 414-175-0080(7), requirements to receive subsidy also include: (b) Be 18 years of age or older and meet all of the following: (A) Be enrolled in and not suspended from the Central Background Registry or be in an approved status by the Department; (B) Have competence, sound judgment and self-control when working with children; and (C) Be mentally, physically and emotionally capable of performing duties related to child care.