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: 0-12, 12-24 months b. Toddler. Describe: 2-3 years c. Preschool. Describe: 3-4 years, 4-5 years d. School-Age. Describe: 5-6 years, 6-9 years, 9-12 years 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 teacher to 5 infants ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice ratio of 1:4. Group size: Restricted according to the square footage (35 square feet per child) of each classroom pursuant to regulation number 114-507A (1). ABC Quality eligibility group size requirement to participate is 15. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 12. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 8. ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1 teacher to 6 toddlers ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice ratio of 1:5 for children 12-24 months; and 1:7 for children 2 to 3 years of age. Group size: Restricted according to the square footage (35 square feet per child) of each classroom pursuant to regulation number 114-507A (1). For children 12-24 months: The ABC Quality required group size to participate is 18. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 15. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 10. For children 2-3 years of age: The ABC Quality eligibility group size requirement to participate is 24. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 20. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 14. iii. Preschool. Ratio: 1 teacher to 12 children ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice ratio of 1:11 for children 3-4 years of age; and 1:13 for children 4-5 years of age. Group size: For children 3-4 years of age: The ABC Quality required group size to participate is 36. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 30. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 22. For children 4-5 years of age: The ABC Quality eligibility group size requirement to participate is 51. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 46. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 26. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1 teacher to 20 children (5-6-year-old) and 1 teacher to 23 children (6-12-year-old). ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice ratio of 1:15 for children 5-6 years of age; 1:18 for children 6-9 years of age; and 1:20 for children 9-12 years of age. Group size: For children 5-6 years of age: The ABC Quality required group size to participate is 60. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 56. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 30. For children 6-12 years of age: The ABC Quality eligibility group size requirement to participate is 69. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 65. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 36 for children 6-9 and 40 for children 9-12 years of age. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: Where there are mixed age groups in the same room, the staff:child ratio shall be consistent with the age of the majority of the children when no infants or toddlers are in the mixed age group. When infants or toddlers are in the mixed age group, the staff: child ratio for infants and toddlers shall be maintained. For mixed age groups, with one or more infants or toddlers, the ratios applicable to the youngest child in the group apply. ABC Quality applies ratio based on the youngest child in the room. Group size: ABC Quality applies group size based on the youngest child in the room. 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: Not Applicable. Per the ABC Quality License Exempt School Age Program Manual, license-exempt programs may not serve children under the age of five. iii. Toddler: Not Applicable. Per the ABC Quality License Exempt School Age Program Manual, license-exempt programs may not serve children under the age of five. iv. Preschool: Not Applicable. Per the ABC Quality License Exempt School Age Program Manual, license-exempt programs may not serve children under the age of five. v. School-Age: Licensed-exempt programs that participate in ABC Quality must meet ratio requirements as outlined in the ABC Quality License Exempt School Age Program Manual. Staff to child ratios apply at all times when children are present on the premises and during activities away from the facility; for children age 5-6, staff: child ratios are 1:20, for children age 6-12, staff: child ratios are 1:23. Ratios for when children are at the pool or on an outing with water; for children age 5, staff: child ratios are 1:6, for children age 6 and older, 2:25. During the 2022-2024 plan period ABC Quality implemented group size as an eligibility requirement to participate. As outlined in the ABC Quality License Exempt School Age Program Manual, the group size for children 6-12 years of age is 69. In October of 2025, the group size will drop to 65. The ratios and group size requirements as described in this section are part of the eligibility criteria and therefore can jeopardize a license-exempt center's history of compliance. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice ratio of 1:15 for children 5-6 years of age; 1:18 for children 6-9 years of age; and 1:20 for children 9-12 years of age. ABC Quality awards points to a program in the quality assessment for meeting a best practice group size of 36 for children 6-9 and 40 for children 9-12 years of age. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: ABC Quality applies ratio and group size based on the youngest child in the room. c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes), 1 teacher to 8 children There shall be an additional teacher/caregiver present when attendance reaches nine children or when four or more of the children are younger than two years old. Small Family - 1 caregiver to 6 children or less per any possible zoning restrictions. FCCH Regulations indicate 4 or more children under 12 months will need an additional caregiver. Group size: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes)- 7-12 children with 12 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. Small Family- 1 - 6 children with 6 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes), 1 teacher to 8 children There shall be an additional teacher/caregiver present when attendance reaches nine children or when four or more of the children are younger than two years old. Small Family - 1 caregiver to 6 children or less per any possible zoning restrictions. FCCH Regulations indicate 4 or more children under 12 months will need an additional caregiver. Group size: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes)- 7-12 children with 12 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. Small Family- 1 - 6 children with 6 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes), 1 teacher to 8 children There shall be an additional teacher/caregiver present when attendance reaches nine children or when four or more of the children are younger than two years old. Small Family - 1 caregiver to 6 children or less per any possible zoning restrictions. FCCH Regulations indicate 4 or more children under 12 months will need an additional caregiver. Group size: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes)- 7-12 children with 12 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. Small Family- 1 - 6 children with 6 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes), 1 teacher to 8 children There shall be an additional teacher/caregiver present when attendance reaches nine children or when four or more of the children are younger than two years old. Small Family - 1 caregiver to 6 children or less per any possible zoning restrictions. FCCH Regulations indicate 4 or more children under 12 months will need an additional caregiver. Group size: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes)- 7-12 children with 12 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. Small Family- 1 - 6 children with 6 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes), 1 teacher to 8 children There shall be an additional teacher/caregiver present when attendance reaches nine children or when four or more of the children are younger than two years old. Small Family - 1 caregiver to 6 children or less per any possible zoning restrictions. FCCH Regulations indicate 4 or more children under 12 months will need an additional caregiver. Group size: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes)- 7-12 children with 12 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. Small Family- 1 - 6 children with 6 being the maximum number of children that can be cared for. 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 Family, Friend, and Neighbor arrangements, only children from one unrelated family can be served. If there is a second un-related family in need of care, the provider must become regulated. The maximum number to be cared for is 6. [ ] 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? [x] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt in-home care vary by age of children served. 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) Caregivers/Teachers shall meet the following qualifications: (i) Be at least 18 years of age, and able to read and write; (ii) A teacher/caregiver who began employment in a licensed or approved child care center in South Carolina after June 30, 1994, must have at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development Certificate(GED) and at least six months experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. However, a teacher/caregiver who is prevented from obtaining a high school diploma or GED because of a disability, and who otherwise is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position of teacher/caregiver, must have at least a high school Certificate of Completion and at least six months experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. If a teacher/caregiver does not meet the experience requirements, the teacher/caregiver must be directly supervised for six months by a staff person with at least one-year experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. Within six months of being employed, a teacher/caregiver must have six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education or shall continue to be under the direct supervision of a teacher/caregiver who has at least one year of experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility.(iii) A teacher/caregiver who has two years' experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved facility and was employed as of July 1, 1994, in a licensed or approved child care center in South Carolina is exempt from the high school diploma, General Education Development (GED), and Certificate of Completion requirements of (ii) above; and (iv) A teacher/caregiver with an undergraduate degree from a state approved college or university in early childhood, child development, or a related field may begin working with the children immediately without additional supervision. (b) Exception: A teacher/caregiver with an undergraduate degree from a state approved college or university in early childhood, child development, elementary education, or a related field may begin working with the children immediately without additional supervision as long as they have 60 days’ field experience with a group of children aged 0-8. (c) Exception: A teacher/caregiver may be 16 or 17 years of age if they are continuously supervised by a qualified teacher/caregiver who is in the room at all times. (d)Exception: Staff persons who were employed prior to the effective date of these revised regulations are not required to meet the staff qualifications specified in this chapter if the staff qualifications required in the prior regulations are met. If a teacher/caregiver has had more than a twelve-month break in service, the new guidelines shall be met for re- employment as a teacher/caregiver. Proposed amendment 63-13-30 regarding teacher caregiver experience indicates no experience with 15 hours of health and safety training within 5 days of employment being directly supervised for at least 30 days with at least 1 year experience in a licensed or approved child care center until caregiver has completed the required health and safety training. Licensed center-based care participating in ABC Quality must meet all teacher qualifications as outlined in SC Child Care Licensing Law and Regulations. In addition to meeting these requirements all teachers must meet all program staff eligibility criteria which includes a current certification in Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child CPR, an annually signed Maltreatment and ABC Quality Code of Ethics policy, and SC 15 Hour Health and Safety Preservice Certification. ABC Quality licensed center-based care earn additional points in their Structural Quality portfolio based on the educational qualifications of their teachers. Educational qualifications are evaluated for teachers employed at the program. The education tiers are divided in three areas; entry, skilled and accomplished. 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 Director/Co-Director Must be at least 21 years old and meet one of the following requirements: i. A bachelor's degree or advanced degree from a state-approved college or university in early childhood education, child development, child psychology or a related field that includes at least eighteen credit hours in child development and/or early childhood education; ii. A bachelor's degree from a state-approved college or university in any subject area and six months experience working with children in a licensed, approved or registered child care facility; iii. An associate degree from a state-approved college or university in early childhood education, child development, child psychology or a related field, that includes at least eighteen credit hours in child development and/or early childhood education with six months' work experience in a licensed, approved or registered child care facility; iv. A diploma in child development/early childhood education from a state-approved institution or a child development associate credential (CDA) and one-year work experience in a licensed, approved or registered child care facility; or v. A High School diploma or GED, and Early Childhood Development (ECD) 101, with 3 years' experience in a licensed, approved or registered child care facility. One year shall include supervision of child care staff. Licensed center-based care participating in ABC Quality must meet all director qualifications as outlined in SC Child Care Licensing Law and Regulations. In addition to meeting these requirements all directors must meet all program staff eligibility criteria which includes a current certification in Pediatric First Aid and Infant/Child CPR, an annually signed Maltreatment and ABC Quality Code of Ethics policy, and SC 15 Hour Health and Safety Preservice Certification. ABC Quality licensed center-based care earn additional points in their Structural Quality portfolio based on the educational qualifications of their teachers. Educational qualifications are evaluated for directors employed at the program. The education tiers are divided in three areas; entry, skilled and accomplished. 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: Large Family (Group Child Care Homes) - Caregivers/Teachers shall meet the following qualifications: (i)Be at least 18 years of age, and able to read and write; (ii) A teacher/caregiver who began employment in a licensed or approved child care center in South Carolina after June 30, 1994, must have at least a high school diploma or General Educational Development Certificate (GED) and at least six month’s experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. However, a teacher/caregiver who is prevented from obtaining a high school diploma or GED because of a disability, and who otherwise is qualified to perform the essential functions of the position of teacher/caregiver, must have at least a high school Certificate of Completion and at least six month’s experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. If a teacher/caregiver does not meet the experience requirements, the teacher/caregiver must be directly supervised for six months by a staff person with at least one-year experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility. Within six months of being employed, a teacher/caregiver must have six clock hours of training in child growth and development and early childhood education or shall continue to be under the direct supervision of a teacher/caregiver who has at least one year of experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved child care facility.(iii) A teacher/caregiver who has two years' experience as a teacher/caregiver in a licensed or approved facility and was employed as of July 1, 1994, in a licensed or approved child care center in South Carolina is exempt from the high school diploma, General Education Development (GED), and Certificate of Completion requirements of (ii) above; and (iv) A teacher/caregiver with an undergraduate degree from a state approved college or university in early childhood, child development, or a related field may begin working with the children immediately without additional supervision. (b) Exception: A teacher/caregiver may be 16 or 17 years of age if they are continuously supervised by a qualified teacher/caregiver who is in the room at all times. (c)Exception: Staff persons who were employed prior to the effective date of these revised regulations are not required to meet the staff qualifications specified in this chapter if the staff qualifications required in the prior regulations are met. If a teacher/caregiver has had more than a twelve-month break in service, the new guidelines shall be met for re-employment as a teacher/caregiver. Small Family - the operator of a licensed family child care home shall be at least eighteen (18) years of age and must reside in the home. Someone must be on the premises at all times who can read and write. Caregivers less than eighteen years of age shall be permitted provided the following conditions are met: a. they are at least 14 years of age. b. they are not the person in authority and are properly supervised. c. the facility is in accordance with South Carolina Labor Laws regarding the employment of minors in non-hazardous jobs. (Refer to regulation promulgated by the Commissioner of Labor pursuant to S.C. Code Ann. 41-13-20 (1976) and the Appendix. No person who has been convicted of child abuse or neglect, child molestation or sexual abuse or who is awaiting trial on such charges shall be knowingly employed in a family child care home. The operator shall provide the department staff with three references from non-related sources to verify their suitability to care for children. Licensed family child care home and group providers that participate must meet licensing requirements to participate in ABC Quality. Licensed family child care home and group providers applying for Level C must meet eligibility criteria that includes a current regular license with child care licensing and history of compliance, certification of completion of SC Health and Safety Preservice for all staff, current certification of Pediatric First Aid and Child CPR for all staff, no corporal punishment statement for all staff, physician statement for all staff and TB test for all staff. Licensed family child care home and group providers applying for Level B must meet all the same eligibility criteria as providers applying for Level C and additional requirements to include staff qualifications for director and assistant caregiver. Director must be 21 years old, have a high school diploma or GED, completed ECD 101/signed plan to complete ECD 101 and 10 hours of annual training. Assistant caregiver must be 18 years old and have 10 hours of annual training. Small Family - Family Child Care Home Regulations. Staff qualification, the operator shall have the following: High School or GED. Caregiver Qualifications shall be at least 15 years of age and supervised by the Operator at all times and not in a position of authority. Licensed family child care homes and groups that participate in ABC Quality must meet all eligibility criteria. The eligibility criteria requirements include owner/operator of family child care group must be 21 years or older, family child care home must be 18 years or older, have a valid High School Diploma/GED, minimum ECD 101 (Level B/B+), clear TB test, staff health assessment, Pediatric First Aid, Infant/Child CPR, an annually signed Maltreatment and ABC Quality Code of Ethics policy, and SC 15 Hour Health and Safety Preservice Certification. 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. For license-exempt center based child care programs that participate in ABC Quality, teachers must meet the required staff eligibility criteria which includes: 1. Be at least 18 years of age, 2. Have a valid high diploma or GED, 3. Have 6 months of verifiable experience working with children or must be supervised by a teacher with more than 1-year experience, 4. Must have a clear TB test and staff health assessment, 5. Must have completed a clear, comprehensive background check which includes SLED/FBI fingerprinting, checks against the Central Registry for Abuse and Neglect and checks against the Sex Offender registry, 6. Must be Pediatric First Aid and Child CPR certified, 7. Must sign an annual Discipline and Maltreatment Policy and ABC Code of Ethics policy, and 8. Must complete the 15-hour health and safety pre-service. b. License-exempt home-based child care. Family, friend and neighbor (FFN) child care providers serving children (in the home of the provider, not the child) are not required to be regulated and are not assigned an ABC Quality level. However, the FFN child care provider must: 1. Be at least 21 years of age, 2. Comply with and be monitored on all 11 health and safety topics as described in the CCDF regulations, 3. Must have completed a clear comprehensive background check which includes SLED/FBI fingerprinting, checks against the Central Registry for Abuse and Neglect and checks against the Sex Offender registry, 4. Must have a Pediatric First Aid and Child CPR certification, 5. Must complete the 15-hour health and safety pre-service training within 90 days of enrollment. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). Family, friend and neighbor (FFN) child care providers serving children in the home of the child care not required to be regulated and are not assigned an ABC Quality level. However, the FFN child care providers that are serving children in the home of the child must: 1. Be at least 21 years of age, 2. Comply with and be monitored on all 11 health and safety topics as described in the CCDF regulations, 3. Must have completed a clear comprehensive background check which includes SLED/FBI fingerprinting, checks against the Central Registry for Abuse and Neglect and checks against the Sex Offender registry, 4. Must have a Pediatric First Aid and Child CPR certification, 5. Must complete the 15-hour health and safety pre-service training within 90 days of enrollment, 6. If the FFN provider is not related to the child and serves the child in the child’s home, the child care provider is classified as a domestic service worker under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) (29-USC § 206 (A) and are therefore covered under minimum wage requirements. Non-related FFN child care providers caring for the child in the child’s home will be approved only when the client has five or more children in the home that require care.