1. EEC’s Proposed Regulations: Overview and Update
A New Approach to Group, School-Age
and Family Child Care Regulations

2. Regulation Review Process Timeline
Board provides input on alignment approach Dec.2005-Jan. 2006
EEC develops draft regulations Jan March 2007
Intensive informal external review process May-August 2007
Revisions to draft August - October 2007
Board votes to send out for public comment November 2007
Public Hearings February 2008
Revisions to draft March-August 2008
Provide resources for the field Fall 2008 to Fall 2009
Board votes to promulgate in January March-April 2009
Technical assistance/training Spring 2009 and ongoing
New regulations are promulgated (take effect) January 2010
Licensors evaluate compliance and offer resources Ongoing

3. An Unprecedented Comment Process
Informal Review: May through August 2007
21 Meetings across the State; over 1,000 attendees
On-line Survey: 389 submitted
more than 130 *
Letters: 86*
Formal Public Comment: February 2008
12 Hearings across the State: 480 attended; 180 testified
86*
Letters: 45*
*some with multiple signatures

4. The Result…..
Every comment recorded and discussed by EEC’s Regulation Review Committee.
Comments reviewed by weighing potential impact on Quality, Affordability and Access.
Some regulations were
changed or clarified.

5. Some proposed regulations were changed. For example:
A 1:15 staff to child ratio had been proposed for school age children. Overwhelming comments stated the ratio should stay 1:13.
Programs had many concerns about requiring that children brush their teeth. This will be addressed through technical assistance instead.
Many family child care providers were concerned by the cost of installing fall zones under their outdoor equipment. Instead, EEC will continue helping providers find safe alternatives and activities.
Many concerns about the cost of requiring a second adult whenever infants and toddlers are transported. Instead, this will be suggested as a best practice.

6. EEC Proposed Regulations What is Not Changing
Most requirements remain the same. For example:
Staff to child ratios
Current groupings
Activity space
Materials and equipment
Staff qualifications
The proposed regulations won’t require programs to make big changes but clarify existing requirements and offer more flexibility in several areas.

7. EEC Proposed Regulations What is Changing?
Family child care and center-based regulations will be in one comprehensive set.
New regulations in several key areas:
Program types
Definitions
Family child care location
Administration
Interactions
Groupings
Curriculum and progress reports
Professional development
Health and safety

8. The Proposed Regulations Three Program Types
Family Child Care Up to 10 children, infants to school-age, in a residence (includes FCC, FCC+, and LFCC under one license type).
NEW! Small Group and School Age Care Up to 10 children but not in a residence.
Large Group and School Age Care
11+ children includes both group and school age under one license type.

9. 7.02: New Definitions
Educator–new umbrella term for all early education and care staff
Includes all Family, Group, and School Age staff. 
Makes it easier to read the regulations.
It's what staff do every day.
Lead Teacher
Teacher
Assistant Teacher
Director I, II
Program Administrator
Site Coordinator
Group Leader
Assist. Group Leader
Family Child Care Provider
Certified FCC Assistant
Regular FCC Assistant
Individual titles are still used when a requirement (like qualifications) pertains to a specific type of educator.

10. 7.03 Licensure NEW! Small Group and School Age Child Care
EEC has developed a hybrid!
Combines elements of family child care and group/school age child care.
It creates new options for the care of a small number of children.
The proposed regulations:
Will allow 10 or fewer children to receive care in a non-residence, such as a church, community center, or clinic
Are less restrictive than group child care to reflect nature of a smaller group
Works well for a provider whose home may not be suitable for family child care
Works well for a community agency that needs a small on-site program for staff or clients
Community Services

11. 7.03 Licensure Family Child Care
Continue to allow family child care in an occupied residence.
Continue to allow family child care in a building attached to the residence of the licensee (garage).
NEW! Allow family child care in an unattached building on the land of the licensee’s primary residence.
NEW! Allow family child care in a vacant unit in a duplex if the licensee resides in the other unit of the residence.
NEW! Allow family child care in an unoccupied apartment in a residence of up to three stories (three separate dwelling units) if the licensee lives in one of the units.

12. 7.04 Administration
NEW! Develop a plan to avoid suspension and termination of children
Parent meetings
Referrals
Supports (consultant, training, staffing)
Behavioral intervention plans

13. NEW! Section: 7.05 Interactions Among Educators and Children
Based on recent research in brain development and interactions
Emphasizes and institutionalizes existing "best practice"
Aligns Massachusetts standards with other national quality standards

14. 7.06 Curriculum and Progress Reports
Read with all children daily
60 minutes of physical activity daily
Planned, organized and flexible transitions
Progress reports for all children in care, regardless of age or setting

15. 7.09 Staff Qualifications and Development
Qualifications will not change
In development:
competency-based qualifications
system for on-going professional development
NEW! EEC Registry and annual registration .

16. 7.09 Staff Qualifications and Development
Professional Development Hours
Family Child Care: 10 hours per year professional development
Small and Large Group: 5, 12 or 20 hours per year, depending on work schedule
At least 25% must address diverse learners
NEW! Mandatory Orientation to the Field
Highlighting the importance of the profession
Professional development supports
Content recommended by the MA Early Education and Care and Out of School Time Workforce Development Task Force

17. 7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision
Changes based on type of group and ages of children:
Multi Age Groups
infant thru school age
Fixed Age Groups
all the same age
Mixed Age Groups
infant/toddler
toddler/preschool
preschool/school age

18. 7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision
NEW OPTION!
Group assignment can be based on developmental factors not just age.
Decisions for group assignment must consider factors like the child’s age, where the child is developmentally and parental input.
Up to two children may be placed in a fixed age group on this basis.
Programs may choose whether to do this or not.

19. 7.10 Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision
Supervision appropriate to ages, development, behaviors and activities of children
Supports growing independence
Protects children

20. NEW! Individual Health Care Plans for Children with Chronic Conditions
7.11 Health and Safety
NEW! Administration of Medication
Training in the “5 Rights” of medication administration
Training by a licensed health care practitioner
Trained educator always on premises
All educators trained to recognize side effects
NEW! Individual Health Care Plans for Children with Chronic Conditions

21. 7.11 Health and Safety To Minimize the Risk of SIDS…
Back to Sleep…always!
No pillows, comforters, stuffed animals
Update program policy
Train Staff
Inform Parents
Providers may care for no
more than 12 hrs. in 24.

22. Moving Forward to Implementation
A Measured Approach
Ensure that programs and educators have the resources and tools they need to comply.
Ensure EEC staff have the resources and tools they need to provide assistance and evaluate compliance.
Incremental Improvements in Quality
Short term: Small, practical, achievable steps related to each regulation change
Long term: lasting quality
improvement based on real,
available, meaningful supports
and resources.

23. Implementation Plan Communicate promulgation timeline Start Mar. 2009
Web, newsletter,
Develop, translate, and post resources Ongoing
Training for EEC staff* June-Oct. 2009
At all provider renewal meetings offer: Start June 2009
Overview of regulatory changes/timeline
Focus on new requirements*
Additional meetings for other providers Nov.-Dec. 2009
In each region for FCC & GCC/SA
Large group overview
Small workgroups on specific requirements.*
Regulations go into effect January 2010
Technical assistance provided on site visits Ongoing
Topic specific training on new requirements * Ongoing
*Interactions, Curriculum, Progress Reports, Medication Administration,
Developmental Placement, Multi-Age Grouping, EEC Provider Orientation, etc

24. New Resources Available on Web
Resource Packet: Positive Interactions       
A Technical Assistance Paper on the importance of positive interactions in promoting children's growth.       
A Self-Evaluation and Supervisory Observation Tools
A List of Internet Resources for more information on interactions.       
Resource Packet: Progress Reports       
Progress Reports Power Point
Progress Reports how progress reports help plan activities to meet the child’s needs, and partner with parents.       
Documenting Progress with Portfolios.       
Progress Reports for School Age Children.       
Communicating with Parents  
The Importance of Developmental Milestones.       
A List of Internet Resources    
5 Sample Progress Report Forms       
Resource Packet: Curriculum
Quiet Activities for children who do not sleep       
Field Trip Planning with Checklist   
Coming soon: Medication Administration, Multi-age Groupings and more!   

25. An Opportunity For Educators And Families
These new regulations will:
Give educators more flexibility to support quality and accountability;
Help all educators grow as the field of early education and care evolves;
Align care for children across all settings and developmental stages; and
Give educators more ways to improve access and continuity for children and families.
Thank you !