After-Care Drop-In Registration

TENNESSEE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

SUMMARY OF CHILD CARE APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

This is a section by section summary of the State Board of Education School Administered Child Care Rules, Chapter 0520-12-1. Child care centers inspected by the Department of Education must meet the requirements as defined by the rules in Chapter 0520-12-1 to receive a Certificate of Approval. The unabridged School administered Child Care rules are available on the Tennessee Secretary of State website, or by writing the Office of School-based Support Services, Tennessee Department of Education, Andrew Johnson Tower, 710 James Robertson Pkwy, Nashville, Tennessee 37243-0375.

1. Organization and Administration, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.06
   • A Child Care Center must have an adequate budget. Records, including health, must be kept on all children.
   • There must be a transportation plan, including the names of persons to whom the child may be released for each child.
   • Staff records must also be kept on each employee that include educational background, reference checks, TBI check, in-service training, physical exams and performance reviews.
   • The center must have their Certificate of Approval posted, provide parents with a copy of the policies and procedures & this summary as well as a pre-placement visit.
   • Parents must have access to all areas of the center when their child is present.
   • The parents must receive an educational program regarding child abuse detection, reporting and prevention.
   • If the center provides transportation, the driver should be appropriately licensed, there must be liability insurance and the children must have adequate space & supervision. Transportation provided by the center or under center authorization shall comply with state law.
2. Staff, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.07
   • A) Qualifications:
     • The director is responsible for the day to day operations, including staff and program.
     • Another person must be left in charge if the director is out.
     • Any person with a condition that could be harmful to a child or a person convicted of a crime harmful to or involving a child must not be present.
     • Staff must have knowledge of child behavior and development.
     • Staff must be physically, mentally and emotionally stable.
     • All new employees must have orientation and child abuse prevention training before working with the children.
     • The director must have at least a high school diploma and 4 years experience working with children.
     • All caregivers SK and older must be 18 years of age and one caregiver in each group must have a high school diploma.
     • All caregivers YK-JK must be 21 years of age.
     • Directors must have 18 hours in-service training each year and caregivers 12 hours.
   • B) Supervision and Grouping of Children:
     • Each group must have adult supervision at all times and adult/child ratios should be followed.
     • There must be a second adult available when more than 12 children are present.
     • Swimming and field trips require ratios be doubled.
     • Each group must have their own space.
     • Infants and toddlers must have their own space and not grouped with older children.
     • At naptime ratios may be relaxed for groups except infants and toddlers.
     • Minimum staffing requirements per groups of children (adult:child ratio) must be maintained.
     • Please refer to ratio charts for specific adult:child ratios for each age group.
3. Equipment, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.08
   • All equipment must be in good condition and kept clean.
   • There must be age appropriate equipment for all groups with variety.
   • Children must have a place for their belongings.
   • Large pieces of equipment must be secured.
   • Infants are to have space to climb, crawl and pull up that isn’t in a playpen or crib.
   • There must be enough equipment so children have choices.
   • There must be an outdoor play area when children are in care for 3 or more daylight hours.
   • Children up to 5 years of age must be offered a naptime if in care for 6 or more hours.
   • For napping children, cots or 2 inch mats must be provided and each child must have a cover to place under them and another available to place over them.
   • Infants must have individual cribs with open tops.
4. Program, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.09
   • A) Schedule and Routines:
     • Routines such as snacks, meals and naps must occur about the same time of day.
     • Children must have time for free play as well as adult-directed activities.
     • Children must have choices regarding activities and an opportunity to help plan activities.
     • If TV programs, tapes and computers are used, other choices should be available.
     • Parents must be informed of shows and movies to be shown.
     • Staff must monitor computers.
     • Outdoor play must be offered, weather permitting.
     • A rest period must be offered for children up to 5 years of age in care 6 or more hours.
     • Children should be able to form their own sleep patterns.
     • A quiet area must be available for children.
   • B) Behavior Management and Guidance:
     • Caregivers must be knowledgeable of developmentally appropriate behavior.
     • Discipline must be appropriate and redirection should be used when possible.
     • No corporal punishment is allowed. *
     • Good behavior must be praised and encouraged.
     • Toilet training shall never be started until a child has been in the program long enough to feel comfortable and is able to communicate his/her feelings.
   • C) Educational Activities:
     • Children must have opportunities for learning, self expression, and participation in activities each day.
     • Activities that provide for both large and small muscle use must be provided.
     • Children must receive child abuse awareness and personal safety information.
     • Child care programs shall provide opportunities for learning self expression and participation in a variety of creative activities.
   • D) Nighttime Care:
     • If children receive night care, caretakers must provide a calm nurturing environment and a routine hygiene plan must be in place.
5. Health and Safety, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.10
   • A) Children Health:
     • Children must have immunizations in accordance with current TN law and the center must have documentation for this as well as a physical for each infant/toddler.
     • Instructions for any child’s special health needs must be documented.
     • Parents must be notified if their child is hurt and becomes ill.
     • All parents must be notified of any communicable diseases.
     • Medications must be labeled with instructions and must be kept under lock.
     • Documentation of administration and side effects must be kept.
     • There is to be no smoking in the presence of children.
     • The diapering area must be appropriate, near handwashing lavatory and cleaned after each changing.
   • B) Staff Health:
     • Staff must have documentation they are physically and mentally able work with children.
     • Physicals are required every 3 years.
   • C) Safety:
     • There must be a staff member present at all times who has current CPR and first aid training.
     • A first aid kit must be on the premises as well as a first aid chart.
     • There must be no firearms on the premises.
     • All dangerous utensils and tools must be out of reach of children.
     • General emergency telephone numbers must be posted and staff must have availability to children’s emergency numbers at all times.
6. Food, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.11
   • A) Nutritional Needs:
     • Children will receive meals and snacks based on the amount of time spent in the program.
     • Menus must be posted.
     • Consideration must be given to daily food requirements when planning menu.
     • Special diets and instructions must be provided in writing.
     • When introducing new foods to infants and toddlers, guidelines must be followed.
     • Parents and caregivers shall work together when weaning an infant and will not begin weaning when children are new to the program.
   • B) Meal Service:
     • Children are to have appropriate size tables and chairs for meals and adults must sit with them.
     • Servings must be adequate.
     • Formula must be refrigerated upon receiving and not placed back in the refrigerator once warmed.
     • Open baby food jars must not be accepted.
     • Infants shall be held while being fed until the child is able to sit in a high chair, infant seat or at the table.
7. Physical Facilities, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.12
   • Centers must be in buildings that are not hazardous or dangerous to children.
   • All facilities must have annual fire and health inspections.
   • All centers must have a working telephone.
   • Centers must have 30 square feet of usable space per child, including naptime.
   • Playgrounds must have 50 square feet per child and safeguards must be in place, if warranted.
8. Care of Children with Special Needs, Chapter Section 0520-12-1-.13
   • When a center serves children with special needs, they are to receive the same care and participate in the same activities, as appropriate.
   • Adaptations must be directed towards helping the child become independent and developing self-help skills.
   • Specialized services provided must be documented and information shared with appropriate parties.

To report suspected violations or possible illegal child care operations, call the Child Care Complaint Hotline at 1-800-462-8261.