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Regulations for a new, third type of family child care license went into effect on July 24, 1998. The primary feature of the Family Child Care Plus (FCCP) license is that qualified providers may enroll up to two school-age children on a part-time basis without hiring an assistant. This is in addition to the six children already allowed with a regular family child care license.

The Family Child Care Plus license will allow many parents to keep their younger and school-age siblings together with the same provider. The new license will also free up more full-time slots for providers, who may now be able to take on part-time school-age children without sacrificing full-time slots for younger children.

Below is a number of qualifications and guidelines to follow when applying for a Family Child Care Plus license. Applications are available at the local OCCS office. This is a new license and providers must apply, have a pre-licensing visit, and receive their new license before enrolling and caring for additional children. Please be sure to check with your licensor to determine your maximum capacity and your ability to meet other requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Experience

The provider must have at least 2 years of full-time experience as a licensed Family Child Care provider or approved assistant.

OR

The provider must have at least 1 year of full-time experience as a licensed Family Child Care provider or approved assistant and at least 1 year of full-time experience caring for unrelated children in a group setting.

Training

The provider must submit evidence of having completed the 3-hour pre-service training, "They're Home - Caring for School-Age Children in Family Child Care". This course is available through the local Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies.

The provider must submit evidence, at the time of renewal, of having completed 20 hours of training, including 3 hours of training specific to infants and toddlers, and 2 hours of training specific to school-age children.

The provider's first aid and CPR certification must be current.

Number of Children

The provider may care for up to eight children as long as at least two of the children are school-age. A school-age child is defined as: A child who is at least 5 years of age and younger than 16 years who is currently enrolled in a full-day kindergarten program, or has finished a kindergarten program.

Children living in the residence ages10 and older never count in the provider's capacity.

Children living in the residence who are at least 5 years of age but younger than 10, who meet the definition of a school-age child, will not count in the provider's capacity during the school year if they are present for fewer than three consecutive hours while child care is provided, or are present during a school holiday, brief illness, snow day, or short school vacation.

During the summer, children living in the residence under the age of 10 must count whenever they are present in the day care home.

Infants: Anytime a provider has more than 6 children in care, for more than 3 consecutive hours, there may be no more than one infant in care, unless a lead assistant or approved assistant is present.

SPACE

The child care home shall provide each child with adequate space for free movement and active play with a minimum of 35 square feet of usable floor space per child, including children living in the residence, exclusive of hallways, bathrooms, and portions of rooms or areas that contain furniture or equipment suitable only for adult usage.

The space counted toward the square footage requirement can be located on no more than two adjacent floors.No more than one area which is used exclusively for napping purposes can be counted.

The provider must have at least 75 square feet of usable outdoor space per child, including children living in the residence.

SCHEDULE AND ACTIVITIES

Providers shall have a written plan for program development, daily activities, and equipment for school-age children.Where appropriate and feasible, children shall participate in the development of these individual and group activities.

PERMISSIONS

The provider shall require written parental consent for a child age seven (7) and older to participate in off-site activities.

The provider shall obtain a general consent for participation in regularly scheduled activities such as bike riding, playing in the backyard or in the neighborhood. The consent form shall list these activities and any limitations or stipulations agreed upon by the parent and provider, and shall be valid for one year unless withdrawn in writing, prior to that time.

The provider shall obtain parental consent for any child to leave the program, for any specific reason, that shall specify the activity, time, method of transportation and parental responsibility for the child once he/she leaves the program.

LARGE FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS

All providers possessing a LFCC license are automatically approved to provide Family Child Care Plus.

Source: Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services