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 17 months. b. Toddler. Describe: 18 to 35 months. c. Preschool. Describe: A child who is three or four years of age before the beginning of the current school year. d. School-Age. Describe: A child who is five years of age and older and is enrolled in or has completed kindergarten. School-age and before- or after-school programs follow the same ratio and group sizes as licensed centers; however, they only care for children who attend Pre-K through grade six. 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 0 to 11 months; 1:5 for 12 to 17 months. Group size: 10 for 0 to 11 months; 13 for 12 to 17 months. ii. Toddler. Ratio: 1:9 for 18 to 23 months; 1:11 for 24 to 35 months. Group size: 18 for 18 to 23 months; 22 for 24 to 35 months. iii. Preschool. Ratio: 1:15 for 3 years; 1:18 for 4 years. Group size: 30 for 3 years; 35 for 4 years. iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:22 for 5 years; 1:26 for 6 to 13 years. Group size: 35 for 5 to 13 years. v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: The child/caregiver ratio is the maximum number of children one caregiver can be responsible for. Each child must have a caregiver who is responsible for the child and who is aware of details of the child’s habits, interests, and any special problems. Ratios for mixed-age groups are determined by the specified age of the children in the caregiver’s group or the age of the youngest child in the group, depending on the activity and the number of children at the child care center. The specified age is determined as follows: 1) List each child by age from youngest to oldest; 2) Determine the core number by dividing the total number of children by 2 and round up any non-whole number; 3) Starting from the first or youngest child on the list, count down until reaching the core number; 4) The age of the child on the list that corresponds with the core number is the specified age of the group. This age dictates the applicable ratio as described above. Group size: This specified age of the children in the group determines the maximum group size and the number of children two or more caregivers may supervise. 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: The ratio varies depending on the number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. Ratio and group size requirements change for field trips and water activities. Listed family homes may only care for up to three unrelated children, with no restrictions on ratio/group size. Group size: The group size varies depending on the total number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. For a RCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1701. RCCHs are not allowed to increase the number of children in care if two or more caregivers are caring for the children. For a LCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1801. For a LCCH when there are two caregivers caring for the children, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1803. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: The ratio varies depending on the number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. Ratio and group size requirements change for field trips and water activities. Listed family homes may care only for up to three unrelated children, with no restrictions on ratio/group size. Group size: For a RCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1701. RCCHs are not allowed to increase the number of children in care if two or more caregivers are caring for the children. For a LCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1801. For a LCCH when there are two caregivers caring for the children, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1803. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: The ratio varies depending on the number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. Ratio and group size requirements change for field trips and water activities. Listed family homes may only care for up to three unrelated children, with no restrictions on ratio or group size. Group size: For a RCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1701. RCCHs are not allowed to increase the number of children in care if two or more caregivers are caring for the children. For a LCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1801. For a LCCH when there are two caregivers caring for the children, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1803. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: The ratio varies depending on the number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. Ratio and group size requirements change for field trips and water activities. Listed family homes may only care for up to three unrelated children, with no restrictions on ratio or group size. Group size: For a RCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1701. RCCHs are not allowed to increase the number of children in care if two or more caregivers are caring for the children. For a LCCH, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1801. For a LCCH when there are two caregivers caring for the children, the number of children in care at the same time must follow the chart found in 26 TAC §747.1803. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: The child to caregiver ratio is the maximum number of children one caregiver may be responsible for. The total number of children a caregiver may supervise is determined by the ages of the children in the child care home. When determining the child-caregiver ratio, the provider may use the developmental or emotional age, rather than the chronological age, of a child with special care needs, if this is recommended by a health care professional or a qualified professional and is documented in the child's record. All children present, including children related to the provider, assistant, and substitute caregiver's children, and drop-in and part-time children must be counted in the child to caregiver ratio, by age of the child, regardless of the length of time they are present. The provider must also count neighborhood children visiting the child care home if the provider is responsible for their care and supervision in the absence of the parent. In a RCCH, a child who is at least four years of age and attending a Pre-K program during the customary school day is counted in the same way children five years old and older who are in after-school care are counted. The Pre-K program must be operated by or in collaboration with the local school district. Group size: The group size varies depending on the total number of children, the ages of the children, and the number of caregivers in the home. d. Are any of the responses above different for license-exempt family child care homes? [ ] No. [ ] Yes. If yes, describe how the ratio and group size requirements for license- exempt providers vary by age of children served. [x] 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: Relative-Only Listed family homes are the only types of listed family homes eligible for CCDF and for the care to be in the child’s own home. The care is limited to the number of related children living at that residence. 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: Must be at least 18 years of age; Have a high school diploma, high school equivalent, or high school certificate of coursework completion as defined in Texas Education Code §28.025(d); Have a cleared background check; Have a current record of a tuberculosis (TB) examination, showing the employee is free of TB, if required by DSHS or local health authority; Complete a notarized Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form; Complete a Pre-Employment Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form; Complete orientation; 24 required hours of pre-service training. For nonexempt caregivers: Eight hours before the caregiver may be counted in the child to caregiver ratio and 16 hours within 90 days of employment; Current Pediatric CPR/first aid with rescue breathing within 90 days of employment and before having unsupervised access to a child in care; Complete transportation training, if applicable; and Complete water safety training, if applicable. 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: Must be at least 21 years of age; Have a high school diploma, high school equivalent, or high school certificate of coursework completion as defined in Texas Education Code §28.025(d); Have a cleared background check; Have a current record of a TB examination, showing that the employee is free of TB, if required by DSHS or local health authority; Have completed a notarized Affidavit for Applicants for Employment form; Complete orientation; Complete 24 required hours of pre-service training. For nonexempt caregivers: Eight hours before the caregiver may be counted in the child to caregiver ratio and 16 hours within 90 days of employment; Current Pediatric CPR/first aid with rescue breathing within 90 days of employment and before having unsupervised access to a child in care; Complete transportation training, if applicable; and Complete water safety training, if applicable. A director must also meet one of the following combinations of education and experience as listed below: A bachelor's degree with 12 college credit hours in child development and six in management and at least one year of experience in a LCCC; An associate of applied science degree in child development or a closely related field, with six college credit hours in child development, six college credit hours in management, and at least two years of experience in a LCCC; 60 college credit hours, with nine college credit hours in child development, six college credit hours in management, and at least two years of experience in a LCCC; A child care administrator’s certificate from a community college, with at least 15 college credit hours in child development, three college credit hours in management, and at least two years of experience in a LCCC; A Child Development Associate™ credential or certified child care professional credential, with six college credit hours in management and at least two years of experience in a LCCC; A day care administrator’s credential issued by a professional organization or educational institution and approved by CCR and at least two years of experience in a LCCC; or Nine college credit hours in child development, nine college credit hours in management, and at least three years of experience in a LCCC. 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: For LCCHs and RCCHs, the primary caregiver must: Be at least 21 years of age; Have a high school diploma or its equivalent; Have a certificate of completion of the licensing orientation within one year of the application date; Have current certification in pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid with rescue breathing; Have been cleared by a background check; Have a current record of a TB examination showing you are free of contagious TB, if required by the Texas DSHS or local health authority; and Have proof of training in the following: a. Prevention, recognition, and reporting of child maltreatment, including: (i) Factors indicating a child is at risk for abuse or neglect; (ii) Warning signs indicating a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect; (iii) Procedures for reporting child abuse or neglect; and (iv) Community organizations that have training programs available to employees, children, and parents. b. Recognizing and preventing shaken baby syndrome and abusive head trauma; c. Understanding and using safe sleep practices and preventing sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS); d. Understanding early childhood brain development; e. Understanding the developmental stages of children; f. Emergency preparedness; g. Preventing and controlling the spread of communicable diseases, including immunizations; h. Administering medication, if applicable; i. Preventing and responding to emergencies due to food poisoning or an allergic reaction; j. Understanding building and physical premises safety, including identification and protection from hazards that can cause bodily injury, such as electric hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular traffic; k. Handling, storing, and disposing of hazardous materials; l. Precautions in transporting children if the child care home plans to transport a child whose chronological or developmental age is less than nine years; and m. Water safety training, if applicable. The primary caregiver in a LCCH must also meet one of the following combinations of education and experience in a LCCC, LCCH, or RCCH: A bachelor's degree with 12 college credit hours in child development, three college credit hours in management, and at least one year of experience; An associate of applied science degree in child development or a closely related field, with six college credit hours in child development, three college credit hours in management, and at least one year of experience; Sixty college credit hours, with six college credit hours in child development, three college credit hours in management, and at least one year of experience; A child development associate credential or certified child care professional credential with three college credit hours in management and at least one year of experience; A child care administrator’s certificate from a community college with at least 15 college credit hours in child development, three college credit hours in management, and at least two years of experience; A day care administrator’s credential issued by a professional organization or an educational institution and approved by CCR, and at least two years of experience; or 72 clock hours of training in child development, 30 clock hours in management, and at least three years of experience. 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. N/A b. License-exempt home-based child care. N/A c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). N/A