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

Regulation Review Process Timeline Board provides input on alignment approach Dec.2005-Jan. 2006 EEC develops draft regulations Jan. 2006-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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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

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 .

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

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

Implementation Plan Communicate promulgation timeline Start Mar. 2009 Web, newsletter, email 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

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!    http://www.eec.state.ma.us/licensingRegulations.aspx

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 !