Chapter 3 Licensing and Certification ©2013 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved.

Chapter 3

Licensing and CertificationLicensing and Certification

•©2013 Cengage Learning.•All Rights Reserved.

Chapter Objectives

• Explain the purpose of licensing.

• Identify the steps in the licensing process.

• Describe various types of regulations and their specific purposes.

• Compare and contrast early childhood program licensing and accreditation.

• Differentiate between early childhood program accreditation and quality rating improvement systems.

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Chapter Objectives

• Describe the various levels of individual credentials available for staff in a child care and education center.

• Explain the relationship between director credentialing and career pathways.

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Purpose of Licensing

• The purpose of licensing is to protect children’s health and safety and to ensure that the program is educationally sound.

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Licensing

• Required, but coverage varies from state to state.

• Thrust is accountability for the health and safety of children.

• Gives permission to operate rather than an indication of quality.

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Licensing Regulations

• Building safety

• Physical space

• Teacher-to-child ratios

• Staff qualifications

• Transportation

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Building Safety

• Regulations includes minimum fire, sanitation, and building safety standards

• Fire regulations

– Type of building construction– Ease of evacuation from building in case of fire– Alarm systems/smoke detectors/sprinkler systems– Availability of fire extinguishers– Building codes (wiring, plumbing)

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Building Safety

• Health regulations

– Bathroom requirements– Food service operation requirements

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Physical Space

• Specifies the amount of space necessary– 35 square feet of indoor space per preschool child – 60-75 square feet of outdoor space per preschool

child– Infants/toddlers require feeding tables and diaper

changing stations– Levels and sources of light– Levels and sources of air– Number of toilets

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Licensing

Three aspects of child care have been shown to relate to positive outcomes for children:

1. Child-to-staff ratios

2. Maximum group size

3. Staff qualifications and ongoing training

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Child-to-Staff Ratio

• Regulates the minimum number of teachers required for a group of children– Infants: 4:1 – Toddlers: 6:1 and 8:1 in 9 states each– Four-Year-Olds: 10:1 in 17 states– Five-Year-Olds: 15:1 in 15 states

• Most states require that two responsible adults be on the premises at all times

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Maximum Group Sizes

Smaller group sizes and larger numbers of staff to children are related to positive outcomes to

children.

Child Age Maximum

Group Size

Ratio of Children

to Teacher

Infant 6 3:1

Toddler 8 4:1

3 Years 14 7:1

5 Years 16 8:1

Recommended:Recommended:

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Staff Qualifications

• Teachers’ training in child development is a key factor in creating a quality program.

• Most state regulations require minimal staff requirements but some do require specific training in early childhood education or a CDA.

• NAEYC is a professional organization committed to better trained and educated teachers.

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Transportation• Most states regulate transporting children

– Vehicle must meet state motor vehicle department standards for school bus service

– Number of children transported– Type of vehicle– Types of lights on vehicle– Proper identification on the vehicle– Use of car seats and belts– Appropriate licensing and insurance coverage for

vehicle and driver©2013 Cengage Learning.

All Rights Reserved.

The Licensing Process Steps

1. Request copy of licensing requirements from appropriate regulatory agency

2. Ensure that zoning authorities have approved land use

3. Obtain contact information from licensing for:-fire inspector

-sanitation inspector

-building inspector

-public health office

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The Licensing Process Steps4. Arrange for conference on-site visits from all necessary

representatives

5. When all inspections have been completed and inspectors have provided evidence of approval, complete the license application and send it with required fee to appropriate licensing agent

6. On receipt of license, post it in conspicuous place in child care center

7. Check expiration date and establish procedure to ensure that renewal process will be set in motion in plenty of time

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Licensing Specialists• Their goal is to improve services for children and

families

• Primary responsibility – Ascertain whether a program is in compliance with

licensing regulation

• Other responsibilities – Provide resources for directors seeking training for

staff – Help directors find the best and least expensive

way to meet state regulations©2013 Cengage Learning.

All Rights Reserved.

Discussion Questions

1. Why do you think regulations are or are not necessary?

2. What are some licensing requirements that may be difficult to implement in a center?

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Local Ordinances

• Typical local governing agencies include:– Zoning commission– Fire and Safety Commission – Township Governing Bodies– Local Planning Commission– Building Inspector– Fire Inspector– Environmental Health Inspector

Zoning Codes

• Rules that specify the types of land use that are permitted.– Size and type of building– Nature of commercial activities– Number of occupants– Site plan– Environmental impact– Parking & entrance-exit traffic

Federal Laws and Regulations

• Civil Rights Compliance– Prohibits discrimination in hiring and program policies

• Americans with Disabilities Act– Provides for building access for all persons (children, parents,

employees) with disabilities– Prohibits discrimination in hiring or enrollment policies

• Right to Know Act– Requires posted information regarding storage and use of

cleaning materials or other hazardous chemicals

• I-9 Illegal Aliens Act– Requires employers to see proof of employees’ citizenship

status

Accreditation & Licensing

• Licensing implies meeting minimal standards.

• Accreditation implies performing at a higher level and are meeting additional standards beyond the licensing standards.

• NAEYC and NACCP have accreditation programs.

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• NAEYC Accreditation represents the mark of quality in early childhood education. 

• To achieve NAEYC Accreditation, early childhood education programs volunteer to be measured against the most robust and rigorous national standards on education, health and safety. 

• Today, more than 11,000 NAEYC accredited early childhood education programs serve families around the nation.

•NAEYC Academy for Early Childhood Program Accreditation

•http://naeyc.org/academy/AccreditationMattersWhyEarn.asp

Discussion Question

What are some of the benefits of a center working to obtain an accreditation?

Credentialing

• Credentialing means that an individual has demonstrated the capabilities necessary for successful participation in that profession

– State Teacher Licensure– National Board Certification– Director Credentialing– Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)

Credentialing

– NC Early Childhood Credential– NC Early Childhood Administration Credential– CDA

• The Child Development Associate (CDA) National Credentialing Program

– State Teacher Licensure– National Board Certification– Director Credentialing– Early Educator Certification (EEC)

• What is the CDA?– A Child Development Associate (CDA) is an individual

who has successfully completed the CDA assessment process and has been awarded the CDA Credential. CDAs are able to meet the specific needs of children and work with parents and other adults to nurture children's physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

– A CDA performs according to the CDA Competency Goals in center-based, home visitor or family child care programs. To date, there are more than 200,000 CDAs in all 50 United States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the U.S. territories of Guam and the Virgin Islands.

– Earning the CDA Credential has many advantages, including motivating caregivers toward continuing education and providing a platform for professional and career opportunities. Many view the CDA Credential as an instrument for career advancement in the early childhood care and education profession. The Council works to ensure that it is a credible and valid credential, recognized by the profession as a vital part of a coordinated system of professional development.

– As a result of an increase in demand from many public and private employers for qualified trained staff, the number of child care providers applying for the CDA Credential has grown to nearly 15,000 annually. Furthermore, 49 states plus the District of Columbia incorporate the CDA Credential into their childcare center licensing regulations.

CDA Credential

• To be eligible for CDA, candidates must

– Be 18 years of age or older– Hold a high school diploma or GED– Have 480 hours of experience working with

children– Have 120 clock hours of formal education

CDA Credential

• Safety

• Health

• Learning Environment

• Physical

• Cognitive

• Program Management

• Creative

• Self

• Social

• Guidance

• Families

• Professionalism

• Communication

Candidate Must Demonstrate 12 Competencies

Chapter Summary

• The director is responsible for

– Initiating and implementing the licensing procedures

– Ensuring that the program meets the minimum requirements

– Promoting professionalism through credentialing and accreditation

FAQ

• Why do licensing requirements vary from state to state?

• What credentials do I need to be the director of a child care education center?

• How long does the accreditation process take?