Chapter 2 Types of Early Childhood Programs Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. 41 Licensing Rules and Regulations Licensing rules and regulations are standards set to ensure that uniform and safe practices are followed. Licensing rules and regulations are typically stated in terms of conditions that affect the safety and health of the children. They are also designed to protect parents, employers, and employees. Currently, every state in the U.S. has licensing rules and regulations to promote safe, healthful environments for children in out-of-home care. Many licensing systems exist because no two states are alike. Communities have different needs and vary considerably. These rules and regulations change in response to research, monetary considerations, and politics. A child care license is a state-provided certifi cate granting permission to operate an early childhood center or a family child care home. Many states require that the license be posted in the center’s entryway. Most licenses include the center’s name, period for which the license is effective, and number of children permitted to attend. Programs are typically monitored with scheduled and unscheduled inspections. When a violation is noted, some states require that a copy of the offi cial violation be posted in the entryway. Once the violation has been corrected, the posting can be removed. This is a way of communicating the status of the center to families, prospective employees, and the community. Before opening a new center, the fi rst step is to contact the state licensing agency to obtain an application. Not all programs need to be licensed, however. Some licensing requirements depend on whether the children attend full-time or part-time. In some states, parent cooperatives, churches, and military programs are exempt from obtaining a license. Centers in public schools or university laboratory schools are also exempt in some states. It is important to carefully study your state’s standards. Typically, the following topics must be addressed in writing to obtain a license: • admission procedures and enrollment records • written policies and record keeping • adult-child ratios • staff educational requirements • background checks • personnel policies • number of square feet per child for both indoor and outdoor spaces • daily schedule • transportation policies • fi re safety and fi re drills • exits, fi re doors, construction materials, lighting, heating/air conditioning • health and safety requirements hand washing, proper sanitizing food preparation areas, toileting areas, toys, play equipment, diaper tables, sleeping and fl oor areas • foodservice and nutrition • parent involvement • staff training You can obtain your state’s regulations or compare regulations from different states online. Center Accreditation The best indicator of high-quality early care and education is accreditation. Accreditation certifi es that an early childhood program has met a set of professional standards. The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) administers a voluntary professional accreditation system. This system, changed in 2018, has been designed for early learning programs serving children from birth through kindergarten. It is also designed for programs that serve school-age children in before-school and after-school care. Workplace Connections Workplace Connections Interview a school-age child care teacher about the challenges of his or her job. Write your questions prior to the interview. 1. What does a typical daily schedule involve? 2. Write a report about the interview.