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 months b. Toddler. Describe: 12 months - 2 years c. Preschool. Describe: 2 years - 5 years d. School-Age. Describe: 5 years and older 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: 1:4 Group size: 8 iii. Preschool. Ratio: 2 years to 2.5 years = 1:6 2.5 years to 3 years = 1:8 3 years to 4 years = 1:10 4 years to 5 years = 1:13 Group size: 2 years to 2.5 years = 12 2.5 years to 3 years = 16 3 years to 4 years = 20 4 years to 5 years = 26 iv. School-Age. Ratio: 1:18 Group size: 36 v. Mixed-Age Groups (if applicable). Ratio: Calculated and adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of children in the group. (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/forms/pdf/0078.pdf). Group size: When infants and toddlers are part of a mixed-age group, the group may not exceed eight. When the group of children is a mixed age group of two years and older, the group size is determined by the number of children that can be cared for by two child care workers with the required staff-to-child ratios listed above adjusted on a pro rata basis in accordance with the ages of children in the group. (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/forms/pdf/0078.pdf). 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: An infant is defined as a child birth to 12 months. Children under two years of age require a staff to child ratio of 1:4. If the size of the group or the age distribution of the children exceeds the number that may be served by one provider, an additional qualified provider shall be present. At no time may more than eight children be in the care of the licensed family child care program. The maximum number of children that one provider may care for is specified in Table 250.055 (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cclicensing/commentary/25 0-055.pdf). The maximum group size is reduced to six if four or more children present are under age two. For example, if there are two providers, and the entire group is under two years, the max group size is eight. If there is only one provider with four children under two years, the max group size is six. Group size: At no time may more than eight children be in the care of the licensed family child care program. The maximum number of children that one provider may care for is specified in Table 250.055 (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cclicensing/commentary/25 0-055.pdf). The maximum group size is reduced to six if four or more children present are under age two. For example, if there are two providers, and the entire group is under two years, the max group size is eight. If there is only one provider with four children under two years, the max group size is six. ii. Toddler (if applicable) Ratio: Toddler is defined as children 12 months to two years. Licensed family child care programs have a minimum staff to child ratio of 1:4 for children under age two. Group size: Licensed family child care programs have a maximum group size of eight, however, the group size is limited dependent up on the ages and numbers of children in care, as specified in Table DCF 250.055 - (https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/201_252/250.pdf #page=7). For example, if there are two providers, and the entire group is under two years, the max group size is eight. If there is only one provider with four children under two years, the max group size is six. iii. Preschool (if applicable) Ratio: Preschool is defined as children two to five years. If there are no infants/toddlers present the minimum staff to child ratio for children ages two and older is 18. However, if children under age two are present, this reduces the number of children age two and older that may be in care. See table 250.055 (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/203.pdf). Group size: Preschool is defined as children two to five years. If there are no infants/toddlers present the minimum staff to child ratio for children ages two and older is 1:8 with a maximum group size of eight. However, if children under age two are present, this reduces the number of children age two and older that may be in care. See table 250.055. (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/203.pdf) iv. School-Age (if applicable) Ratio: School-age is defined as children age five and older. Children ages five and older require a staff to child ratio of 1:8. However, if children under age two are present, this reduces the number of children age two and older that may be in care. See table 250.055. School-age is defined as children age five and older. Children ages five and older require a staff to child ratio of 1:8. However, if children under age two are present, this reduces the number of children age two and older that may be in care. See table 250.055. (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/203.pdf) Group size: School-age is defined as children age five and older. Children ages five and older require a staff to child ratio of 1:8. However, if children under age two are present, this reduces the number of children age two and older that may be in care. See table 250.055. (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/203.pdf) v. Mixed-Age Groups Ratio: The maximum number of children that one provider may care for is specified in Table 250.055 (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cclicensing/commentary/25 0-055.pdf). If the size of the group or the age distribution of the children exceeds the number that may be served by one provider, an additional qualified provider shall be present. The maximum group size is reduced to six if four or more children present are under age two. For example, if there are two providers, and the entire group is under two years, the max group size is eight. If there is only one provider with four children under two years, the max group size is six. Group size: At no time may more than eight children be in the care of the licensed family child care program. The maximum number of children that one provider may care for is specified in Table 250.055 (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cclicensing/commentary/25 0-055.pdf). If the size of the group or the age distribution of the children exceeds the number that may be served by one provider, an additional qualified provider shall be present. The maximum group size is reduced to six if four or more children present are under age two. For example, if there are two providers, and the entire group is under two years, the max group size is eight. If there is only one provider with four children under two years, the max group size is six. 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. Licensed exempt family child care providers who are certified may not care for more than three children under the age of seven, with a maximum group size of six children. The maximum number of children in care may be reduced depending on the number of children under age two present. The maximum group size is shown in table 202.08(6) here: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cccertification/4-numbers-chart.pdf or https://docs.legis.wisconsin.gov/code/admin_code/dcf/201_252/202.pdf. For certified in-home care the operator is not required to comply with DCF 202.08(6) (a) No certified family child care operator may have more than three children under seven years of age who are not related to the child care operator in care at any given time, and (b) No certified family operator may have more than six children in care. 2. The operator may not care for any children who do not reside in the home. [ ] 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. DCF 202 identifies the health and safety standards that apply to certified in-home care When a certified in- home child care operator cares for children in the children's own home, the certified operator is not required to comply with group size or age grouping restrictions, however, the operator may not care for any children who do not reside in the home. 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: The minimum age for infant lead teachers is 18. Minimum qualifications for teachers are two non-credit Lead Agency approved courses. Individuals working with children under two years of age must have ten hours of training in the care of infants and toddlers including safe sleep practices. Individuals caring for children under age one must complete training in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). All persons working with children under five years of age need training in Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) prevention. Training requirements and qualifications are outlined in detail here: (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/66.pdf). Non-credit approved courses must be provided by Lead Agency-approved agencies. Students must demonstrate competency and understanding in the subject matter before a certificate of completion is issued. Providers must also complete training on infant/child CPR, first aid, and child abuse and neglect. 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 minimum age for center directors is 21. Minimum qualifications for a small group center director (centers caring for 50 or fewer children) include completing high school or its equivalent; at least 240 hours of experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in a group child care center, a licensee or provider in a family child care, or in another approved setting; and must complete at least one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05A (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf). Minimum qualifications for a large group center director (centers caring for 51 or more children) include completing high school or its equivalent; 2 years of experience as a child care teacher, center director in a group child care center, or other approved setting; and must completed at least one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05B (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf). 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: Family child care providers must be at least 18 years of age and are required to complete one three-credit course in early childhood education or a Lead Agency-approved noncredit course in early childhood and a non-credit Lead Agency-approved course in the business of operating a family child care program prior to caring for children. If caring for infants and toddlers, family child care providers also need ten hours of training in the care of infants and toddlers, including safe sleep practices (if caring for infants under 1 year of age) and training in AHT prevention (if caring for children under 5 years of age). Non-credit approved courses must be provided by Lead Agency-approved agencies. Students must demonstrate competency and understanding in the subject matter before a certificate of completion is issued. Providers must also complete training in infant/child CPR, first aid, and child abuse and neglect (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/ccregulation/cclicensing/commentary/250-05.pdf). 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. Pursuant to Wis. Stat., § 120.13(14), public school programs are exempt from licensure but are required to meet applicable licensing standards, including training requirements and qualifications. Teacher Qualifications: The minimum age for infant lead teachers is 18. Minimum qualifications for teachers are two non-credit Lead Agency approved courses. Individuals working with children under two years of age must have ten hours of training in the care of infants and toddlers including safe sleep practices. Individuals caring for children under age one must complete training in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). All persons working with children under five years of age need training in Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) prevention. Training requirements and qualifications are outlined in detail here: (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/66.pdf). Non-credit approved courses must be provided by Lead Agency-approved agencies. Students must demonstrate competency and understanding in the subject matter before a certificate of completion is issued. Providers must also complete training on infant/child CPR, first aid, and child abuse and neglect. Director Qualifications: The minimum age for center directors is 21. Minimum qualifications for a small group center director (centers caring for 50 or fewer children) include completing high school or its equivalent; at least 240 hours of experience as a teacher or assistant teacher in a group child care center, a licensee or provider in a family child care, or in another approved setting; and must complete at least one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05A (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf). Minimum qualifications for a large group center director (centers caring for 51 or more children) include completing high school or its equivalent; 2 years of experience as a child care teacher, center director in a group child care center, or other approved setting; and must completed at least one of the preservice training requirements in Table 251.05B (https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/files/publications/pdf/4024.pdf). b. License-exempt home-based child care. License-exempt (certified) family child care providers must be at least 18 years of age and need to complete, within 3 months of certification, the following: One three-credit course in early childhood education or a Lead Agency approved non- credit course in early childhood education. A non-credit Lead Agency approved course in the business of operating a family child care program. Infant/Child CPR Training in pediatric first aid Training in child abuse and neglect. License-exempt (certified) family care providers need to complete training in safe sleep practices and SBS/AHT prevention prior to caring for children. c. License-exempt in-home care (care in the child’s own home). The training requirements for in-home family (Certified) child care are the same as those outlined above in 5.2.4.b. License-exempt (certified) family child care providers must be at least 18 years of age and need to complete, within 3 months of certification, the following: One three-credit course in early childhood education or a Lead Agency approved non-credit course in early childhood education. A non-credit Lead Agency approved course in the business of operating a family child care program. Infant/Child CPR. Training in pediatric first aid. Training in child abuse and neglect. License-exempt (certified) family care providers need to complete training in safe sleep practices and SBS/AHT prevention prior to caring for children.