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: An infant is a child who is at least six (6) weeks and under thirteen (13) months of age. b. Toddler. Describe: A toddler is a child between thirteen (13) months and thirty-five (35) months of age. c. Preschool. Describe: Vermont refers to this classification as "Pre-kindergartener" which is a child who is thirty-six (36) months of age up until school age. d. School-Age. Describe: School-age is a child who is five (5) years of age or older and currently attending kindergarten or has completed kindergarten or a higher grade. For CBCCPPs and FCCPs, school age children are up to thirteen (13) years. For ASPs, school age children are up to sixteen (16) 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: For CBCCPPs, the ratio is one to four (1:4). ASPs are not licensed to serve infants. Group size: For CBCCPPs, the group size is eight (8). ASPs are not licensed to serve infants. ii. Toddler. Ratio: For CBCCPPs, regulations allow for a sliding ratio based on age. For thirteen (13) months to thirty (30) months the ratio is one to four (1:4), and for twenty-four (24) months to thirty-six (36) months the ratio is one to five (1:5). This provides flexibility when programs are transitioning children from one age group to another. ASPs are not licensed to serve toddlers. Group size: For CBCCPPs, regulations allow for a sliding group size based on age. For thirteen (13) months to eighteen (18) months, the group size is eight (8); and for eighteen (18) months to thirty (30) months the group size is ten (10); for twenty-four (24) months to thirty-six (36) months the group size is ten (10). This provides flexibility when programs are transitioning children from one age group to another. ASPs are not licensed to serve toddlers. iii. Preschool. Ratio: For CBCCPPs, the ratio is one to ten (1:10). ASPs are not licensed to serve preschool children. Group size: For CBCCPPs, the group size is twenty (20). ASPs are not licensed to serve preschool children. iv. School-Age. Ratio: For CBCCPPs and for ASPs, the ratio is one to thirteen (1:13). Group size: For CBCCPPs and for ASPs, the group size is twenty-six (26). v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: CBCCPP licensing rule 6.2.2 says that programs are required to comply with the ratio requirements for the youngest child in a mixed age group. ASP licensing rules have the same ratio requirement regardless of children’s age. Group size: CBCCPP licensing rule 6.2.2 says that programs are required to comply with the group size requirements for the youngest child in a mixed age group. ASP licensing rules have the same group size requirement regardless of children’s age. 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: Vermont does not currently have license-exempt center-based providers who receive CCDF funds. iii. Toddler: Vermont does not currently have license-exempt center-based providers who receive CCDF funds. iv. Preschool: Vermont does not currently have license-exempt center-based providers who receive CCDF funds. v. School-Age: Vermont does not currently have license-exempt center-based providers who receive CCDF funds. vi. Mixed-Age Groups: Vermont does not currently have license-exempt center-based providers who receive CCDF funds. c. Licensed CCDF family child care home providers: i. Infant (if applicable) Ratio: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to ratio, however, an FCCH can have no more than 10 children with one staff and 12 children with 2 staff. Group size: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to group size, however, an FCCH can have no more than ten (10) children with one (1) staff and twelve (12) children with two (2) staff. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: There are a variety of regulations that speak to ratio for toddlers, however, an FCCH can have no more than 10 children with one staff and 12 children with 2 staff￿ Group size: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to group size, however, an FCCH can have no more than ten (10) children with one (1) staff and twelve (12) children with two (2) staff. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: There are a variety of regulations that speak to ratio for preschool, however, an FCCH can have no more than 10 children with one staff and 12 children with 2 staff￿ Group size: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to group size, however, an FCCH can have no more than ten (10) children with one (1) staff and twelve (12) children with two (2) staff. iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: There are a variety of regulations that speak to ratio, however, an FCCH can have no more than 10 children with one staff and 12 children with 2 staff￿ Group size: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to group size, however, an FCCH can have no more than ten (10) children with one (1) staff and twelve (12) children with two (2) staff. v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: In registered and licensed FCCHs, ratio charts are designed for a mix of age groups to be served together. Also, there are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to ratio. For example, in a registered FCCH, the FCCP's own children under twenty-four (24) months of age who reside in the home are required to count in the limit on children less than twenty- four (24) months but not in the overall limit on all children. In a licensed FCCH, the FCCP's own non-school age children who reside in the home and the Family Child Care Assistant's own non-school age children are counted. There are different ratio expectations in registered FCCH versus licensed FCCH and both are dependent on the number of staff present and caring for children. Vermont FCCPs uses the charts that have been created in place of using words to ensure clarity of understanding. If a combination is not allowed by the chart, then it has been left out intentionally. In registered FCCHs, there are (2) two charts. The chart titled Registered FCCH: Option one (1): Year-Round Care is the most commonly used ratio chart in Vermont. This chart allows for a focus on serving children under twenty-four (24) months. The chart titled, Registered FCCH: Option two (2): Summer Vacation" allows for additional school age children but by using this chart, the FCCP is limited to no more than two (2) children under twenty-four (24) months of age total. Group size: There are a variety of FCCH regulations that speak to group size, however, an FCCH can have no more than ten (10) children with one (1) staff and twelve (12) children with two (2) staff. 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: 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: There are four (4) levels of teacher positions in CBCCPP regulations: 1) Trainee; 2) Teacher Assistant; 3) Teacher Associate; and 4) Teacher. A staff member that meets teacher associate or higher qualifications is required to be leading a group of children. The qualifications for teacher associate are as follows: A teacher associate is at least twenty (20) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets one (1) of the following qualifications: At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Three (3) Certificate; or at least an associate degree from an accredited college with a major or concentration in Early Childhood, Child or Human Development, Elementary Education, or Child and Family Services and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or at least a Certificate of Completion from the Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or At least a Child Care Certificate from CCV and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger; or At least successful completion of twenty-one (21) college credits with an early childhood or school age focus and at least twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger. There is no change in CBCCPP qualification requirements based on the ages of the children being served. In ASP regulations, there are two (2) levels of teacher positions: ASP program staff; and ASP aide. The higher and more commonly used position in ASPs is ASP program staff. The qualifications for ASP program staff are as follows: Upon employment, an ASP program staff shall be at least eighteen years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. After the first year of employment, the ASP program staff shall meet at least one of the following: Vermont Afterschool Foundations Certificate; or Vermont Afterschool Essentials Certificate; or Vermont On-the-Job Training Certificate; or Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential; or Vermont Program Director Credential; or Vermont Teacher Licensure; or a bachelors (" BA" or "BS") or an associates ("AA" or "AS") degree. There is no change in ASP qualification requirements based on the ages of the children being served 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: CBCCPP director qualifications vary depending on the size of the CBCCPP. The director must be at least twenty-one (21) years of age; qualifications depend on program size. A director of a CBCCPP that serves up to twelve (12) children shall meet the qualifications of a teacher associate. Director qualifications require more education for CBCCPPs with a licensed capacity between thirteen (13) and fifty-nine (59) children shall meet qualifications of a teacher associate and shall have completed either a VECAP Director Step One Certificate; or Successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in program management for early care and education or for school age care and education, or in staff supervision related to early care and education of children; and a three (3) college credit course in curriculum. Director qualifications require the most education for CBCCPPs with a licensed capacity of sixty (60) or more children. These directors shall meet the qualifications as a teacher, have an additional twenty-four (24) months of experienced working with groups of children from grade three (3) or younger, and have completed either: A VECAP Director Step Two Certificate or VECAP Director Credential, Step three; or successful completion of a three (3) college credit course in curriculum, and an additional nine (9) college credits in program management, staff supervision, administration, or human resource management. Directors of a CBCCPP licensed for thirteen (13) or more children shall complete within one (1) year of employment stater date a three (3) college credit course in managing an early care and education program that includes budgeting and financial management, approved by CDD; or the licensee shall employ a business manager. Qualifications are the same regardless of the age of the children being served. ASP regulations have two (2) administrative positions: ASP child care program administrator and ASP site director. The ASP Administrator for an ASP or multiple numbers of ASPs for any number of children shall meet or exceed the following qualifications: be at least eighteen years of age, possess a BA or BS, and have one of the following: at least twenty months of experience working directly with school age children; or Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential; or Vermont Program Director Credential; or Vermont Teacher Licensure; or a master’s degree in a youth-related field. The Afterschool Site Director shall meet or exceed the following qualifications: be at least eighteen years of age, possess a BA, BS or AA or AS and have one of the following: at least ten months direct work experience with school age children; or a Vermont On-The-Job Training certificate or; a Vermont Afterschool Professional Credential; or a Vermont Program Director Credential; or a Vermont Teacher Licensure; or master’s degree in a youth-related field. Qualifications are the same regardless of the age of children being served. 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 Registered FCCP that operates a registered FCCH shall ensure and maintain documentation that he/she is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets or exceeds one (1) of the following qualifications prior to licensure or within twelve (12) months of initial licensure: At least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level One Certificate or higher; or at least successful completion of the Fundamentals for Early Childhood Professionals’ course; or at least a current Child Development Association Credential (￿CDA￿) from the National Council for Professional Recognition; or at least a Child Care Certificate from CCV; or at least successful completion of twelve (12) college credits in content consistent with the core knowledge areas identified by NL CDC. The licensed FCCP that operates a licensed FCCH shall ensure and maintain documentation that he/she is at least eighteen (18) years of age, is a high school graduate or has completed a GED, and meets or exceeds one (1) of the following qualifications: at least a Vermont Early Childhood Career Ladder Level Two or Level Three A Certificate; or at least a current Child Development Associate ("CDA") Credential from the National Council for Professional Recognition ("NCPR") and twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children grade three (3) or younger; or at least a Child Care Certificate from CCV and twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children grade three (3) or younger; or at least a Certificate of Completion from the Vermont Registered Child Care Apprenticeship Program; or • At least successful completion of twelve (12) college credits in content consistent with the core knowledge areas identified by Northern Lights Career Development Center ("NLCDC") and twelve (12) months experience working with groups of children grade three (3) or younger. 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. Currently VT does not require any qualification criteria outside of record check authorization clearance and CCFAP confirms the required familial connection. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). Currently VT does not require any qualification criteria outside of record check authorization clearance and CCFAP confirms the required familial connection.