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: "Infant" means a child who is younger than 12 months old. b. Toddler. Describe: "Younger Toddler" means a child aged 12 through 17 months old. "Older Toddler" means a child aged 18 through 23 months old. c. Preschool. Describe: "Preschooler" means a child aged two through four years old. d. School-Age. Describe: "School-Age Child" means a child aged five through 12 years old. 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: Young toddler- 1:4; Older toddler- 1:5 Group size: Young toddler- 8; Older toddler- 10 iii. Preschool. Ratio: 2 years olds- 1:7; 3 years old- 1:12; 4 years old- 1:15 Group size: 2 years old- 14; 3 years old- 24; 4 years old- 30 iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:20 Group size: 40 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: For mixed-age groups of children including infants and toddlers, the provider shall ensure that: (a) infants are only mixed with toddlers, unless: (i) the group has eight or fewer children; (ii) there are no more than three children younger than two years old in the group with one caregiver; and (iii) there are at least two caregivers with the group if more than two children who are younger than 18 months old are present and the group has more than four children; (b) if older toddlers and two-year-old children are mixed, there is at least one caregiver for up to seven children and at least two caregivers for eight and up to 14 children in the group; and (c) older toddlers and older children are only mixed, besides when only mixed with two-year-old children, when: (i) the group has eight or fewer children; (ii) there are no more than three older toddlers in the group; and (iii) there are at least two caregivers with the group if more than three younger toddlers are present and the group has more than five children. For mixed-age groups of children not including infants and toddlers, the provider shall ensure that: (a) the caregiver-to-child ratio is determined by the age of the oldest child present in the group minus one child of that age group; and (b) the maximum group size is determined by the age of the oldest child present in the group, minus two children of that same age group. Group size: Oldest child in the group - 2 years old Number of caregivers - 1 Children allowed in the group - 6 Oldest child in the group - 3 years old Number of caregivers - 1 Children allowed in the group - 11 Oldest child in the group - 4 years old Number of caregivers - 1 Children allowed in the group - 14 Oldest child in the group - 5 -12 years old (school-age) Number of caregivers - 1 Children allowed in the group - 19 Oldest child in the group - 2 years old Number of caregivers - 2 Children allowed in the group - 12 Oldest child in the group - 3 years old Number of caregivers - 2 Children allowed in the group - 22 Oldest child in the group - 4 years old Number of caregivers - 2 Children allowed in the group - 28 Oldest child in the group - 5 -12 years old (school-age) Number of caregivers - 2 Children allowed in the group - 38 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: When caring for children younger than two years old, the provider shall ensure that: (a) there is at least one caregiver for every three children younger than two years old; (b) each caregiver cares for no more than two children younger than 18 months old; and (c) there are at least two caregivers if more than three children younger than two years old are present and there are more than six children in care. Group size: 1:2, 2:6 ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: The provider shall maintain at least: (a) one caregiver for up to eight children in care; and (b) two caregivers for nine to 16 children in care Group size: The provider may not exceed the group sizes found in Table 1 and Table 2. Table 1 Maximum group size with 1 caregiver The total number of children present in the home during child care hours may not exceed 12 children for each of the following: 0-4 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 8 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 5 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 7 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 6 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 6 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 7 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 5 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 8 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 4 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 9 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 3 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 10 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 2 Children= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 11 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 1 Child= Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old Table 2 Maximum group size with 2 caregivers The total number of children present in the home during child care hours may not exceed 24 children for each of the following: 0-8 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 16 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 9 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4-12 years present during child care hours 15 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 10 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 14 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 11 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 13 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 12 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 12 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 13 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 11 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 14 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 10 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 15 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 9 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 16 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 8 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 17 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 7 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 18 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 6 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 19 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 5 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 20 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 4 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 21 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 3 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 22 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 2 Children = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 23 Children = Number of provider’s and caregiver’s own children ages 4- 12 years present during child care hours 1 Child = Maximum allowed number of children in care, including the provider’s and caregivers’ own children younger than 4 years old 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. In the instance of the Family, Friend and Neighbor providers, a category of license-exempt home providers that meet CCDF requirements, providers are not allowed to care for more than six non- related children or more than eight related children. Where the related children are siblings, providers are not allowed to care for more than 10 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: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable) Ratio: Not Applicable Group size: Not Applicable 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: All caregivers must be at least 16 years of age or 18 years old if being left with the children and have knowledge of and comply with all applicable laws and rules. No education qualifications are required. They are required to have orientation and preservice training and pass a background check before they are left alone with children. They must complete at least 20 hours of training every year and cover required child care licensing topics. 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: The provider shall ensure that the director: * is at least 21 years old; * is considered eligible by a CCL background check before becoming involved with child care; * if hired after January 1, 2023, has completed the 2-1/2 hour pre service training offered by the department; * completes the new director training offered by the department within 60 working days of assuming director duties; * knows and follows any applicable laws and requirements under Rule R381-100; and * completes at least 20 hours of child care training each year based on the facility's license date, or at least 1-1/2 hours of child care training each month they work if hired partway through the facility's licensing year. The provider shall ensure that each new director has one of the following educational credentials: * any bachelor's or higher education degree, and at least 60 clock hours of coursework in child development, social and emotional development, and the child care environment, or 60 clock hours of equivalent training as approved by the department; * at least 12 college credit hours of child development courses; * a currently valid national certification including a Certified Childcare Professional issued by the National Child Care Association, a Child Development Associate issued by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition, or other equivalent credential as approved by the department; * at least an associate degree in early childhood development or related field; or * a National Administrator Credential and at least 60 clock hours of course work in child development, social and emotional development, and the child care environment; or 60 clock hours of equivalent training as approved by the department. 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: All caregivers must be at least 16 years of age or 18 years old if being left with the children. The provider or licensee, must be at least 18 years old. They are to have knowledge of and comply with all applicable laws and rules. No education qualifications are required. They are required to have orientation and preservice training and pass a background check before they are left alone with children. They must complete at least 20 hours of training every year and cover required child care licensing topics. Half of the training must be face-to-face. 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. All caregivers must be at least 16 years of age or 18 years old if counting in ratio and have knowledge of and comply with all applicable laws and rules. No education qualifications are required. They are required to have orientation and preservice training and pass a background check before they are left alone with children. They must complete at least 20 hours of training every year and cover required child care licensing topics. (1) The provider must: (a) be at least 21 years old and (b) ensure compliance with all federal, state, and local laws and rules, including fire requirements, pertaining to the operation of the program and the facility that houses the program. (2) The provider must ensure there is a qualified director who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility/ program. The provider must ensure the director is at least 21 years old and have one of the following: (a) an associates, bachelors, or graduate degree from an accredited college/university or successful completion of at least 12 semester credit hours of college/university level coursework in child development, early childhood education, elementary education, or a related field; or (b) a currently valid national certification such as a Certified Childcare Professional (CCP) issued by the National Child Care Association, a Child Development Associate (CDA) issued by the Council for Early Childhood Professional Recognition; or (c) a currently valid Child Care Licensing-approved National Administrator Credential (NAC) plus at least 60 hours of approved Utah Early Childhood Career Ladder courses in child development or 60 hours of equivalent training as approved by the Department. (3) The provider must ensure there is a director designee with the authority to act on behalf of the director. The provider must ensure the director designee is at least 18 years old. b. License-exempt home-based child care. N/A c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). N/A